Christian Ponder is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on February 25, 1988, in Dallas, Texas. Ponder played college football at Florida State University, where he gained recognition for his skills and leadership on the field. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the 12th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. During his time with the Vikings, Ponder started in several games and helped lead the team to the playoffs in the 2012 season. He also played for the Oakland Raiders before retiring from professional football. After his playing career, Ponder transitioned into sports commentary and analysis.