Robert Lee Fredrickson (born May 13, 1971) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the 1990s and early 2000s. He played college football for Michigan State University and was recognized as an All-American. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft.
Early Life and College Career Fredrickson was born in St. Joseph, Michigan. He attended St. Joseph High School, where he excelled in football. He then went on to play college football at Michigan State University from 1990 to 1993. During his time with the Michigan State Spartans, Fredrickson was a standout linebacker, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors and being recognized as a consensus All-American in his senior year (1993).
Professional Career Fredrickson was highly regarded coming out of college and was drafted by the Detroit Lions as the 22nd overall pick in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He quickly became a starter for the Lions, known for his strong tackling and consistent play. He played for the Lions for four seasons, from 1994 to 1997.
In 1998, Fredrickson signed with the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent. He continued his career as a starting linebacker for the Cardinals, playing three seasons with the team from 1998 to 2000. He contributed to the Cardinals' playoff appearance in 1998, their first in over 15 years.
Throughout his NFL career, Fredrickson was known as a durable and reliable player. He retired after the 2000 season, concluding a seven-year professional career.
Career Statistics (Summary)
- Position: Linebacker
- NFL Seasons: 7 (1994–2000)
- Teams: Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals
See Also
- List of Michigan State University alumni
- List of Detroit Lions first-round draft picks
References [Information typically sourced from NFL official records, sports encyclopedias, and historical sports archives.]