Ellis Wyms


Ellis Rashad Wyms is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played college football for the Bulldogs football|Mississippi State Bulldogs].
Wyms, who earned a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Florida Tuskers.

College career

Wyms went to Mississippi State University, where he played for the Bulldogs. He racked up 120 career tackles, with 69 solo tackles. He also collected 10 quarterback sacks in just 40 career games for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Wyms started on the defensive line eight times as a senior. Wyms was the Bulldogs' top reserve player. In his first career start, against Oklahoma State, Wyms racked up six tackles. He majored in technology and education.

Professional career

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wyms was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 183rd pick of the 2001 NFL draft, in the sixth round. In his first season, he played in four games,Wyms totaled 19 tackles, two of them for losses. He eclipsed his career-high tackle mark against the Denver Broncos with 8 tackles. Wyms also contributed eight tackles against the St. Louis Rams.
In the 2005 [Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers' first playoff season since 2002], he played in all 16 games, and started against the New England Patriots. Wyms appeared in his 50th career game against the Carolina Panthers on December 11, 2005. Ellis Wyms finished the season with 17 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended. He also sacked Washington Redskins quarterback Mark Brunell in their wildcard contest.
On September 1, 2007, the Bucs released him.

Seattle Seahawks

He signed with the Seattle Seahawks before the 2007 season. He appeared in 13 games for the team and recorded 11 tackles. He became a free agent after the season.

Minnesota Vikings

On March 17, 2008, Wyms signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings worth $1.5 million and including a $500,000 signing bonus.

Personal life

Wyms contributes to the community through the "Strong Minds, Strong Bodies" program. Ellis Wyms is also the founder of The Wyms Foundation. The program provides monthly reading activities and career advice to underprivileged children in the city of Tampa. He also participates in many community activities. In high school, he recorded 124 tackles and 7 sacks. Wyms is married to real estate consultant DeeDee Wyms.