Pete Koch FAST Fitness

Pete Koch NFL Bio

I have wonderful, brutal, terrific memories of my six years in the NFL. In many respects, the NFL is an elite fraternity that has had just 20,000 members in its 80-year history. My opportunity to be a part of this special group began when I was the drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round (16th pick) of the 1984 NFL draft. Although I enjoyed the city and loved the people, I had a rough time in that striped Bengal helmet. Highlights of my time with the Bengals included playing with my University of Maryland teammate Boomer Esaison and working out with Big Dave Rimington. But all was not well for me there as numerous injuries led to me being released just prior to the 1986 season opener. The good news was that my career was reenergized when the Kansas City Chiefs immediately picked me up and five days later I had two quarterback sacks in the season opener against the New Orleans Saints.

The Chiefs are one of the finest organizations in the NFL, and I was proud to be their starting defensive end for two seasons. I had a great time in Kansas City and truly enjoyed the many wonderful people with whom I worked including some great football players. During those years in the mid and late 80's, the Chiefs developed one of the best defenses in the AFC. Each year about half of the defensive team would end up at the Pro Bowl including Deron Cherry, Lloyd Burruss, Art Still, Bill Maas, Albert Lewis, Mike Bell and Kevin Ross. All in all these people are great athletes and fierce competitors.

A knee injury derailed my career in Kansas City, but I caught on with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1989. The opportunity to play for Mr. Al Davis was truly unforgettable. The greatest personal memories of my NFL career are the ones of the great men that I had the opportunity to battle with and against and that included many Raiders. To date, three of my former teammates are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Mike Haynes, Howie Long and Marcus Allen) with more to come as they retire and become eligible. Howie Long holds a special place in my mind as he played with such great skill, intelligence and determination. He as much as anyone that I worked with, demonstrated excellence in preparation, mental focus and intense play. Howie and several other teammates showed me how a winner conducted his life. All of this makes me very proud because I can say that I had the chance to play, work and compete with the greatest football players of my generation. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to compete in the National Football League.