The Eagles first round draft choice in 2003, McDougle  has battled a lion's share of adversity and injuries in his first five years in Philadelphia. McDougle looks to return this season after a tricep injury, suffered in the 2007 preseason, landed him on the Injured Reserve list. The gritty McDougle returned to the field in 2006 after missing the entire 2005 season with a gunshot wound he suffered during a robbery attempt on the eve of training camp.

2006 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sacked QB Bruce Gradkowski at TB (10/22/06)
• Deflected a pass by Brett Favre that fell into the hands of DT LaJuan Ramsey for an INT vs. GB (10/2/06)
• Made his first return to game action at SF (9/24/06)

2004 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sacked QB Marc Bulger at StL (12/27/04)
• Drilled QB Eli Manning on a blindside hit for his first career sack,  forcing a fumble vs. NYG (9/12/04)

2003 HIGHLIGHTS:

• After missing the first 8 games of 2003 with ankle, knee and hip injuries, returned to play in his first NFL game at GB (11/10/03)
• The Eagles traded their 1st round pick (30th overall) and a 2nd round pick (62nd overall) to San Diego to move up to the 15th overall slot to draft him

Spent the entire 2007 season on the Injured Reserve list with a right triceps injury

Spent the entire 2005 season on the Non-Football Injury List after suffering a gun-shot wound

BIRDSEED:

• After rehabbing a tricep injury during the 2007 season, took up boxing as an alternative training method. Working one-on-one with an instructor in South Florida, McDougle found it was a great way to work on his fast twitch muscles in both his upper and lower body. "As a defensive end, you're always using your hands to try to get around guys, so it really helped with my hand speed and my arm strength. It was also tough on your lower body and a great cardiovascular workout." In 2005, McDougle took up mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as alternative training methods
• Jerome and brother, Stockar, partnered with the Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA) to enhance education through interscholastic sports. This foundation provides annual scholarships, academic camps, SAT prep courses, and educational seminars on student health and welfare, drug abuse, steroids and AIDS awareness. Jerome's motivation to help inner city kids also stems from being the victim of a robbery attempt by teenagers in 2005 
   Both Jerome and Stockar are on the Broward County Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors. The brothers also provide an annual scholarship to a student in the program
• Since the 2007 season, has participated in internships with Juvenile detention centers in Philadelphia, Camden, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, working with at-risk kids. "I really have a passion for working with kids. I love it because I want to have an impact on them at a young age before they get mixed up in the wrong lifestyle. It works both ways though, because it teaches me not to take life for granted."
• Inspired by a gunshot wound that sidelined him for the entire 2005 season, annually hosts "Jerome McDougle & NFL Friends Football Weekend" in June, in Miami on South Beach. In 2007, the event included 25 NFL players and honored the mother of slain University of Miami football player Bryan Pata. "Jerome McDougle Youth Football clinic" was also held with assistance from the Miami Police Athletic League, where kids learned about the importance of sticking to their goals and staying off the streets
• His first cousin, Tommie Harris, is a DT for the Chicago Bears
• Was named the recipient of the 2006 Ed Block Courage Award, which honors the NFL players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. They are selected in a vote by their teammates for team effort as well as individual performance

PERSONAL:

• Resides in Philadelphia and Miami with his wife, Jaceinte, and their three children, sons Jerome III and Jaiden, and daughter, Jaleah
• Racked up 80 tackles, 17 sacks and forced 2 fumbles during his senior season at Ely HS
• Participated in Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Philadelphia in 2007, mentoring young inner-city kids. "I am in a position to reach out to kids who look up to me because I am a professional athlete. I love to see the way they light up when I talk to them. Some of the kids really pour their heart out to you."
• Spoke at the 2008 rookie symposium on going through adversity in the NFL
• Took a Spanish class in 2007 so he could brush up on the language
• Earned a degree in criminology
• Full name: Jerome McDougle

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS:
Helped the Hurricanes to a 12-0 record and a National Championship in 2001, and a 12-0 record before suffering a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State in the 2002 championship bout. Earned All-Big East honors while recording 110 tackles, 13 sacks, 30 TFLs, 6 KDs, 3 FRs and 4 FFs. Was a finalist for the Lombardi Award (given to the nation's best defensive lineman) and for the Hendrick Defensive End Award as a senior, after recording 55 tackles, seven sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Sat out the 2000 season after transferring from Hinds CC in Raymond, MS, where he registered 64 tackles, including 12 sacks, for a team that went 10-2 in his sophomore season. Spent his freshman season at Pittsburgh (KS) State where he sat out before transferring to Hinds.

INJURY HISTORY:
Underwent successful surgery on 8/21/07 to repair a triceps injury he suffered in the 1st preseason game at Bal. (8/13/07), and was placed on IR on 8/27/07. Placed on the NFI/Reserve list on 8/30/05 after undergoing surgery to address a gunshot wound. Underwent emergency surgery on 10/17/05 to correct an internal hernia due to adhesions and scar tissue from his previous surgery. Was inactive at Cle. (10/24/04) with an irregular heartbeat. Suffered a knee sprain at Dal. (11/15/04) and was inactive for the next 4 games. Suffered ankle, knee and hip injuries in the 2003 preseason finale vs. NYJ (8/28); missed the first 8 games of 2003.