Bart Scott

Bart Edward Scott, born on August 18, 1980, in Detroit, Michigan, had a humble upbringing that shaped his determined approach to life and career. He attended Southeastern High School, where he excelled in both running back and linebacker positions under coach Drake Wilkins. Despite interest from numerous colleges, initial SAT scores posed a challenge, but Scott improved his scores and accepted a scholarship from Southern Illinois University. During his college career at Southern Illinois, Scott played linebacker and safety for the Salukis. A notable turning point occurred during his junior year when he was suspended but later reconciled and impressed new head coach Jerry Kill, leading the team with 127 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his senior year, earning first-team All-Gateway conference honors. After going undrafted in the 2002 NFL Draft, Scott signed with the Baltimore Ravens, marking the beginning of his professional football career. He later returned to Southern Illinois in 2005 to complete his economics degree and was inducted into the Southern Illinois Hall of Fame.

Scott’s NFL journey began with the Baltimore Ravens, where he primarily played special teams during his first three seasons. He recorded 17 special teams tackles in his rookie year (2002) and 19 in 2003, his career high. In 2005, Scott’s playing time increased significantly due to a teammate’s injury, leading to 10 starts out of 16 games and finishing with 119 tackles and 4 sacks. This strong performance led to a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Ravens. His breakout year came in 2006, where he recorded a career-high 135 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro title. He continued his consistent performance with 131 tackles in 2007 and 104 tackles in 2008 for the Ravens. In 2009, Scott signed a six-year, $48 million contract with the New York Jets, reuniting with his former defensive coach, Rex Ryan, and starting every game with 92 tackles.

After his playing career concluded in 2012 with the New York Jets, Scott transitioned into a successful broadcasting career. He joined CBS Sports as an analyst for “That Other Pregame Show” in 2013 and became a part of CBS’s “The NFL Today” for the 2014 season. In 2017, he began co-hosting on WFAN and later on ESPN Radio in New York City with “Bart and Carlin.” Beyond media, Scott has dedicated efforts to community involvement, establishing “A Son Never Forgets” foundation in 2006 to aid those with paralysis. He also directly supported his high school, Southeastern High School, by providing new uniforms, equipment, upgrading their weight room, and funding new bleachers, resulting in his jersey being retired in 2008. These endeavors reflect Scott’s commitment to giving back to the community and leveraging his platform for positive impact, particularly in finance education for young athletes.