Award, given annually by the Football Writers Association to the nation's best defensive player. Pat finished second in the ACC and 10th nationally with 21 tackles for loss. Patrick Kerney was originally recruited to play lacrosse and Pat was a defenseman on the Virginia lacrosse team in 1996 and 1997. Pat was a member of the 1996 Cavalier squad that advanced to the NCAA championship game and lost to Princeton 13-12 in overtime. Patrick Kerney was also a member of the 1997 team that made it to the NCAA playoffs and lost to Maryland in the quarterfinals 10-9. Pat did not participate in 1996 spring football practice in order to compete on the lacrosse team. On November 13, 2010, Patrick Kerney had his #58 jersey retired by the University of Virginia. Professional career Pre-draft Atlanta Falcons Patrick Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Patrick Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Patrick Kerney started two games (one at left defensive end and one a left defensive tackle) and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks. In 2000, Kerney was the starting left defensive end and again recorded 2.5 sacks. In 2001, Kerney recorded 12 sacks. Early in the 2002 season, the Falcons agreed to a seven-year contract extension with him. The deal, which could be voided after five seasons, included a team-record $8.5 million signing bonus. It could have been worth up to $40 million if all incentives were met. Kerney finished the 2002 season with 10.5 sacks while playing left defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He remained at that position in 2003 and recorded 6.5 sacks. In 2004 the Falcons returned to a 4-3 defense and Patrick Kerney responded with his best season up until that time, playing the Pro Bowl for the first time and recording career-highs in tackles (66), sacks (13) and passes defensed (9). Pat was also voted second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press. In 2006, Kerney moved to right defensive end as a starter and moved to left defensive end in passing situations (newly acquired free agent John Abraham played right defensive end in those situations). In Week 9, Kerney's 105-game starting streak came to an end, with a torn right pectoral muscle that required surgery. (He was injured while tackling Cleveland Browns