Jerry Sherk

Jerry Martin Sherk, born July 7, 1948, in Grants Pass, Oregon, is an American former professional football player who played defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League for twelve seasons, from 1970 through 1981. He is widely considered among the best defensive players in Cleveland Browns history.

Sherk attended Grants Pass High School, where he competed on both the wrestling and football teams during his junior and senior years. He went on to Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Washington, and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was the key to Grays Harbor's wrestling team winning the state title in two consecutive seasons, and he individually won back-to-back state titles, pinning every opponent he faced in 1968. At Oklahoma State he was named All-Big Eight on the gridiron in 1969 and earned All-American honors as a Cowboy wrestler the same year. He was inducted into the Oklahoma State Hall of Honor in 2000.

Selected in the second round, 47th overall, Sherk spent his entire professional career with the Cleveland Browns. He made the Pro Bowl lineup for four straight years, from 1973 through 1976.