Mike Wreyford talks with Lyle West about his rise to the NFL from a small town background, to playing in the Superbowl, and the transition back to a “normal” life after the game. Along the way, a former teammate introduced him to Yoga, and it’s had a lasting, positive effect on his life.
Benjamin Lyle West was born in 1976 in Columbus Georgia. His family moved to Fremont, California in 1977. Washington High School, Class of 1995, in Fremont, California where he played football, basketball and baseball. 2nd team All Bay Area along with Tom Brady. Lyle and Brady were the only two players to make it to the NFL. Chabot Jr. College in Fremont, California Safety and punt returner for the football team. In his freshman year he led the state junior college league in interceptions (8) San Jose State University in San Jose, California Safety and for the football team.
First team All-Western Athletic Conference (1998, 1999) Notable achievements: Averaged 120 tackles per season Defeated Stanford at Stanford stadium New York Giants Football Drafted in the sixth round in 1999. Played safety and special teams Led the team in special team tackles in the 2000 season Recovered a fumble and led the team in special teams tackles and recovered a fumble in the NFC Championship game. Played in Superbowl XXXV in February 2001 (The Ravens defeated the Giants 34–7) Kansas City Chiefs Brought to camp in 2001 but was injured for the season 2002 & 2003 played in every game as backup safety and special teams 2004 he was released after tearing his hamstring Post playing career Received his real estate license in May 2005 Introduced to Yoga by another former NFL player Gio Carmazzi in 2011 Completed Yoga Instructor training in December 2013.
