Trai Essex

Trai J. Essex (born December 5, 1982) is an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League who has won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.

High school years

Essex attended Paul Harding High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was a student and a letterman in football and basketball. Essex played in the first ever U.S. Army All-American Bowl on December 30, 2000. In football, he was a four-year letterman. In basketball, he was a member of the 2001 class 2A Indiana boys high school championship team. Essex was an All-Conference honoree as a junior.

College years

Essex attended Northwestern University and was a letterman in football. In football, he was a three-year starter as an offensive lineman. He majored in African-American studies.

Professional career

Essex showed promise after a slow start to his career, finishing the 2008 season with two strong performances against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Essex started his first-ever playoff game on January 5, 2008 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Following the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XLIII, Essex re-signed a two-year contract with the...
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