Jared DeVries hopes for one more NFL moment

IOWA CITY - Jared DeVries hopes to strap on an NFL helmet one more time. But if it doesn't happen, the former Iowa All-American is ready to move on with his life.

DeVries, 35, lost the last two years of his NFL career to injuries before those seasons started. He played 12 years in Detroit but wasn't re-signed in the offseason.

"I'm working out, staying in shape," DeVries said. "Obviously I realize it's a slim hope, but I'm fine with that. I'll stay in shape for the remainder of the year. If nobody calls, I'll retire. You can't hold out hope forever."

DeVries served as Iowa's honorary captain Saturday against Northwestern. He played defensive tackle at Iowa from 1995 through 1998. He was a three-time all-Big Ten player, second-team all-American in 1997 and a consensus all-American in 1998. He was the Big Ten's lineman of the year in 1997.

Devries still holds school records for tackles for loss in a season (22) and career (78) and career quarterback sacks (42)

"Every time I come here I still get the chills," said DeVries, an Aplington-Parkersburg High School graduate. "I figure I always will. Special memories here, special place, special people. It's just awesome."

DeVries' pro career featured mixed results. He was productive when he stayed in the lineup and posted 6.5 sacks in 2007. He has 164 tackles and 16.5 sacks in his NFL career. But he was oft-injured. In 2009 he suffered a torn Achilles tendon early in training camp. Last year it was a knee injury in camp. Only in 2005 did he play in every game.

DeVries said he's disappointed he wasn't able to stick with the Lions during their recent winning surge. The Lions had only one winning season (9-7 in 2000) in DeVries' tenure and now enjoy a 5-0 record.

"I knew it was coming," DeVries said. "I could feel it turning. I would love to be a part of it, and in some ways, I do feel a part of it. I took the kids and family up there on Monday (against Chicago) and it was  good to see the guys. I'm extremely happy for them."

Former Detroit Coach Steve Mariucci said DeVries was an asset with the Lions during his coaching tenure.

"He was one of my favorite players there in Detroit," Mariucci said. "It was unfortunate that he did get hurt because he brings so much to the table. He's so good in the locker room. He's a veteran. He's got his head on straight. He works like crazy.

"I hate to use the word overachiever, but he has earned the right to be in the National Football League through a lot of hard work and smarts."

DeVries now is an assistant football coach at Clear Lake High School. He's a part-owner in the "Brothers Market" grocery store in Parkersburg and farms with former Iowa teammate and Kansas City Chiefs center Casey Wiegmann near Clear Lake. He's not giving up his NFL dream but he's enjoying his time with family in Clear Lake.

"It's an adjustment," DeVries said. "The family is settled in there in Clear Lake. We love Iowa, to get back to Iowa. But we're having a lot of fun, a lot more family time. "