Chad is really a sweet guy. If he looks mean at all in any official pictures you see that is because the photographer told him he needs to look meaner.

Transaction

 Selected as a fifth round (142nd pick overall) draft choice by Atlanta in 2004. 

Career

 Athletic playmaker who saw extensive action on the defensive line during his rookie campaign. 

2004 Season (Falcons)

 Played in every game with five starts at defensive tackle and finished the season with 42 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one pass defensed. Posted three tackles apiece in a reserve role vs. Arizona (9/26) and at Carolina (10/3). Led all defensive linemen with six tackles vs. Detroit (10/10). Made first career start in place of Rod Coleman (shoulder) and posted three tackles. Tallied two tackles apiece at Denver (10/31) and vs. Tampa Bay (11/14). Registered three tackles apiece vs. New Orleans (11/28) and at Tampa Bay (12/5). Started Weeks 14-17 in place of Ed Jasper (wrist). Tallied three tackles vs. Oakland (12/12) and four tackles vs. Carolina (12/18). Posted a career-high seven tackles at New Orleans (12/26). Recorded three tackles at Seattle (1/2).. Recorded one tackle in a reserve role vs. St. Louis in the NFC Divisional Playoff game vs. St. Louis (1/15/05). Tallied two tackles at Philadelphia (1/ 23/05) in the NFC Championship Game. 

College

 Started 41 of 47 games for Louisiana State and registered 202 tackles, 12 sacks, 10 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one interception and one blocked kick. All American first-team selection and All-Southeastern Conference pick after starting every game as a senior. Tallied 61 tackles, seven sacks, six passes defensed, one interception and one blocked kick. Also named National Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News. First-team All-Southeastern selection as he started every game at right defensive tackle and registered a career-high 66 tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery as a junior. Started 11 games in 2001, tallying 53 tackles, two sacks and two passes defensed. Saw action in nine games as a freshman, recording 22 tackles and one sack. 

Personal

 Lettered in football and track at Marksville (LA) High School. Class 3A all-state selection as a tight end in 1997 in addition to being selected as an all-district choice on offense and defense. Saw first action for LSU in 2000 after originally signing with the Tigers in 1998. Spent two seasons working as a prison guard at a correctional facility near his hometown of Marksville while working to improve his ACT score to become eligible. Majored in general studies at LSU. Born Chad Douglas Lavalais on April 15, 1979 in Marksville, Louisiana.