Ed Jasper

Edward Videl Jasper (January 18, 1973 – April 14, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL draft and played for the Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and Oakland Raiders from 1997 to 2005.

Early life Jasper was born in Tyler, Texas, on January 18, 1973. He attended Troup High School, where he was a three-time All-East Texas and honored as Defensive Most Valuable Player. He was also part of the school's basketball team that won the University Interscholastic League Class 2A state championship in 1992. In his first year with the team in 1993, the Aggies won the Southwest Conference (SWC) title, before losing 24–21 to Notre Dame Fighting in the 1994 Cotton Bowl Classic. They finished 10–0–1 the following season, but were ineligible to defend their title. He was also conferred the Aggie Heart Award, as voted for by his teammates. He was subsequently drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round (198th overall selection) of the 1997 NFL draft. After two seasons with the franchise, he joined the Atlanta Falcons in 1999. He had the most effective years of his career with the team, with arguably his best season coming in 2002, when he started all 16 games and helped the Falcons qualify for the playoffs that year. He retired at the conclusion of the 2005 season.