Where Are They Now: Dave Szott

Understandably and admirably, Dave and Andrea Szott put their family first.

Following 12 years with Kansas City and Washington, in 2002, the veteran guard and his wife decided to move back to where they grew up, Clifton, NJ, a city in the shadow of the Meadowlands, not knowing if he’d have an opportunity to play a 13th season for the Jets or the Giants.

If he did, fine. But that wasn’t why they came home.

“I have two boys, Shane and Josh,” Szott said. “Physically, at two ends of the spectrum. One is very challenged, non-verbal, non-ambulatory, in a wheelchair. And the other one ended up being a Division I athlete (playing wide receiver at Colgate).

“Kansas City is a great town. Has a lot of positives, but it didn’t have the same amount of resources as the New Jersey, New York area did for special needs. So we made the move. Took a leap of faith and it all worked out. Got my special guy in a great school, got everybody settled, and then the Jets came calling, which was great.”

Szott had crossed paths with Jets head coach Herm Edwards while he was playing for the Chiefs and Edwards was a scout turned defensive backs coach. Edwards knew Szott’s history. Not only the type of player he was, but the type of man he was, as well.

“Herm and I worked out quite a bit together in K.C., and so he knew my situation,” Szott said. “And he said, ‘Dave, we know what you’re capable of. We know the leadership qualities you have. Just be you.’

“And it was fantastic. He put no undue expectations on me. In fact, he actually gave me Mondays and Tuesdays off during the week, which allotted me more time at home. And that was a huge determining factor with me signing with the Jets at the time.”

Having played in 142 games with the Chiefs and 16 games with the then-Redskins, Szott joined the Jets with well-earned and valuable experience. Which in turn, benefited his new teammates in the O-line room.

“Our most talented guy on the…