Bertrand Berry
A defensive end who transformed himself from an undrafted free agent into a feared NFL pass rusher with a signature celebration.
Born 1975 (age 51)·American gridiron football player·Birthday: August 15·Generation X
Biography
Bertrand Berry's path to NFL success was a classic story of perseverance. After going undrafted out of Notre Dame, he clawed his way onto rosters, initially making his mark on special teams. A transformative stint in Europe with the Barcelona Dragons honed his skills, and he returned to the NFL with a newfound ferocity. His breakout season came with the Denver Broncos in 2003, but it was with the Arizona Cardinals where he became a defensive centerpiece. Berry possessed a quick first step and a relentless motor, culminating in a 14.5-sack season in 2004 that earned him a Pro Bowl nod. Known for his 'Bert's Bounty' sack celebration—mimicking counting cash—he played with a visible joy and edge. His career, spanning 12 seasons, stands as a testament to the power of self-belief and relentless work.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Bertrand was born in 1975, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bertrand Was Born
The biggest hits of 1975
#1 Movie
Jaws
Best Picture
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Bertrand's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1975Born
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1980Started school
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1988Became a teenager
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Could drive
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1993Could vote
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Turned 21
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2005Turned 30
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 40
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 50
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 51 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected to the Pro Bowl in 2004 after recording a career-high 14.5 sacks for the Arizona Cardinals.
- Led the NFL in forced fumbles in 2004 with 6.
- Recorded 65 career sacks over 12 seasons with four different teams.
- Won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Denver Broncos' practice squad in 1998.
Did You Know?
After retiring, he became a sports radio host and analyst in the Phoenix area.
He famously celebrated sacks with 'Bert's Bounty,' a move where he mimicked counting money.
He played for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe, which he credited for reviving his career.
“They said I was too small, so I worked until my effort was undeniable.”
