Podgurski, Nichole D

Brad had a record setting four years as a Defensive Tackle at the University of Florida (1988-1991). While captaining the school's first ever Southeastern Conference Championship team (91), Brad was Consensus 1st team All-American (A.P., Kodak, Football News), 1st team Academic All-American (GTE), and Unanimous 1st team All-Southeastern Conference. He finished his College career with 227 tackles, 18 Quarterback sacks, 47.5 tackles for Loss (which is still the schools record for Defensive Lineman), 5 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 pass breakups.

He was named Toyota's National Leader of the Year, and was one of 15 recipients of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Scholar Athlete Award. Of that group of 15 award winners, Brad was awarded the William V. Campbell National Scholar Athlete of the Year (known as the Academic Heisman). During that year Brad was elected as Student Body Vice-President and served the entire 35,000 students at the University of Florida. Brad served as the student representative on the Board of Directors of the University Athletic Association which oversees the entire operation of all athletic programs at UF. Since he graduated with a B.A. in History following his Junior year, all of these accomplishments were achieved while participating in the Masters Program for Sports Administration. Brad was named to the University of Florida's All Century 1st team and was inducted into the UF athletic Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility (2001). He was also designated a Legend of the SEC (2002).

Brad was selected in the 10th round of the 1992 N.F.L. Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He was the lowest round draft pick to start on opening day. After two years with the Vikings, Brad joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his six years with the Buccaneers, Brad played in over 95 games while starting over 80. He led the team in sacks twice and was 4th on the all-time sack list with 33. Brad also led the defensive line in tackles 4 out of 6 seasons. He was an integral part of the transformation of the "Yuccaneers" to the dominant team that was one play away from the 1999 Superbowl. He was named All Madden Team in 1999. Brad finished his career with the Chicago Bears in 2000. Including the Playoffs, Brad played in 137 professional games starting 87 of them. He had 325 tackles, 35 Quarterback sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and one Safety.

During his 9 year tenure in the N.F.L., Brad was elected as the Player Representative of the Buccaneers and Bears for the N.F.L. Players Union. While in this role he served on the Disciplinary Committee that issued fines and suspensions to unethical player agents. Brad helped raise over $300,000 for specific charities (Children's Miracle Network, Shands Hospital, & Shriner's Hospitals for Children) through his own celebrity Golf Tournament and through in-store donations from a local chain restaurant (Beef-O-Brady's). Brad also created Culpepper's Champions, which provided Buccaneer tickets to local students who improve in their schools' reading programs. Brad continued his education during the off-season at the University of Florida's Law School and received both a M.A. in Sports Administration and a J.D. (honors) in 2001.

• 1995-1999 Brad hosted weekly radio shows on 98 Rock FM and 570 WFLA AM.
• 1998-1999 Brad hosted a post game show on ABC with Jay Crawford.
• 2003-2010 Brad hosted a pre game show on Fox with Chip Carter called Tailgate Sunday
• 2003 Brad wrote a weekly column for the St. Pete Times called Closing arguments with Brad Culpepper
• 2004 Brad hosted a weekly college football preview on Fox Sports Net.
• 2010 Brad wrote a monthly column for the Pewter Report Magazine.
• 2011 Brad was the national spokesman for I-9 Sports.
• Brad is a weekly guest on Dan Sileo's Morning Sports Talk Show on 620 WDAE.
• Brad is on the Board of Directors for the Gulf Ridge Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Tampa Chapter of the Salvation Army.
• Brad is the current Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 4

Brad currently resides in Tampa with his wife Monica (University of Florida Homecoming Queen-1991) and their three children, Rex, Judge and Honor.

After 5 years of working at Morgan & Morgan, P.A., Brad opened up his own law firm, Culpepper Kurland, in March of 2007.

College Football National Awards and Recognition:
1988- Academic ALL South Eastern Conference (SEC)
1989- Academic ALL SEC
1990- Academic ALL SEC
2nd Team ALL SEC (AP and coaches)
1991- Capitan of 1st UF SEC Championship Team
SEC Defensive Player of the Week vs. Mississippi State
Academic ALL SEC
1st Team academic All American (GTE)
1st Team (Unanimous) ALL SEC
1st team (Consensus) All American (A.P., U.P.I., Coaches Association, Sporting News, Kodak, Football News)
Toyota's National Leader of the Year
Gator Bait SEC Defensive Player of the Year
Recipient of the National Football Foundation and Collage Hall of Fame's Scholar Athletes Award.
SEC Most Valuable Lineman- Birmingham Quarterback Club.
Receipt of the William V. Campbell- given to the nations top Football Scholar Athlete
2001- University Athletic Hall of Fame
2002- Honored as a Legend of the South Eastern Conference at the SEC Championship game.
2006- Named to University of Florida All Century- 1st team.

Professional Football Awards and Recognition:

1998- Recipient of the Unsung Hero Award given by the Nation Football League Player Association.
1999- Recipient of the Unsung Hero Award given by the Nation Football League Player Association.
1999- All Madden 1st Team