Dane Fletcher

Dane Fletcher (born September 14, 1986) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Montana State Bobcats, and was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Fletcher also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Early life Fletcher was born in Bozeman, Montana and attended Bozeman High School, where he played football as a linebacker and tight end. At linebacker, he was a first-team all-state selection; at tight end, he was an honorable mention all-state selection. He also played ice hockey and baseball as a catcher. Fletcher's parents are well known throughout the Bozeman community and own a local cheese burger joint and a bar.

College career Following high school, Fletcher attended Montana State University on partial scholarship where he redshirted in 2005. After playing on special teams as a freshman, in 2006. Fletcher played as a defensive end and in 2007 he recorded 51 tackles and three sacks, as well as a Big Sky Conference-high 19 tackles for a loss. In 2008 Fletcher missed three games but finished the season with 6.5 sacks. As a redshirt senior in 2009 Fletcher was named team captain and finished the season with 67 tackles, seven sacks, and two blocked kicks, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors as well as being named the Big Sky Defensive MVP. He was also named as a finalist for the Buck Buchanon Award which is given to the top defensive player in NCAA Division I FCS. He was waived/injured on August 14, 2012, and subsequently reverted to injured reserve. The Patriots re-signed Fletcher for the 2013 season, where he played in 15 games, initially playing mostly on special teams but played more defensive snaps after Jerod Mayo was placed on injured reserve.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers On March 16, 2014, Fletcher signed a one-year $1.2 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fletcher appeared in all 16 games for Tampa and set a career high in tackles with 39. However in the last game of the season Fletcher tore his ACL. Fletcher announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2015 league year and he was subsequently released by the New England Patriots.

NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2010 NWE 13 0 23 17 6 2.0 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 2011 NWE 10 5 32 19 13 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2013 NWE 15 1 26 15 11 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2014 TAM 16 4 39 27 12 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 54 10 120 78 42 4.5 3 1 0 0 0 3 2 2 1 0

Playoffs Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2010 NWE 1 0 2 1 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2011 NWE 3 0 8 5 3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2013 NWE 2 1 5 2 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 15 8 7 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Personal life Fletcher owns and operates a gym called "The Pitt" in his hometown of Bozeman, Montana. He and his wife Dani welcomed twin boys, Hawkin and Tuck, in fall 2018.