_(cropped).jpg) Green in 2019 | |||||||||||
| No. 28 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | (1960-02-15)February 15, 1960 (age 65) Houston, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 184 lb (83 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Jesse H. Jones(Houston) | ||||||||||
| College: | Texas A&I (1978–1982) | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1983: 1st round, 28th pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Darrell Ray Green (born February 15, 1960) is an American former professionalfootball player who was acornerback for theWashington Redskins of theNational Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. Considered to be one of the greatest cornerbacks and fastest players in NFL history, he playedcollege football for theTexas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas and was drafted by the Redskins with the last pick in the first round of the1983 NFL draft. Green played in 295 games with Washington, winning Super BowlsXXII andXXVI, before retiring in 2003. He was named the 1996NFL Man of the Year, inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and included on theNFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Green was born on February 15, 1960, inHouston, Texas, later attendingJesse H. Jones High School.[1] While there, he was an All-State selection intrack and an All-City pick infootball.[1][2] Green made the junior varsity football team his junior year, and then made the varsity team as a senior.[3]
Green attended and playedcollege football and rantrack atTexas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville).[4] He finished hisBachelor of Science degree in general studies atSt. Paul's College inLawrenceville, Virginia.[5]
In 1982, Green was selected by his teammates as captain,[6] was named a first-teamAll-American, and was theMost Valuable Player in theLone Star Conference.[4] During his senior year, Green had 56 tackles, four interceptions and two punt returns for touchdowns.[1] He was selected to the Lone Star Conference Team of the Decade for the 1980s.[6]
In track and field, Green set numerous national and conference records and earned ten All-America certificates.[4] His first meet was in 1982 inSan Angelo, Texas, where he ran a 10.08 in the100 meters. The mark still stands as the all-time best in the Lone Star Conference. At the 1982 NCAA championships, Green finished sixth in the 100-meter dash and seventh in the 200-meter dash.
Green's all-time collegiate best in the 100 was 10.08, 20.50 in the200 meters and 45.90 in the400 meters.[6] He was named the most valuable track performer at the 1982 and 1983 Lone Star Conference Championships. He won gold medals at the LSC meet in the100 meters in 1981 and in the100 meters and200 meters in 1982 and in 1983.[6]
Green was named to the NCAA Division I All-America roster in 1981 and 1982, and was on the NCAA Division II All-America team in five events in 1981 and 1982. He was NAIA All-America in 1981 and 1982 in four events.[6]
| Event | Time (seconds) | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 meters | 5.76 | Rosemont, Illinois | January 15, 1983 |
| 100 meters | 10.08 | San Angelo, Texas | April 13, 1983 |
| 200 meters | 20.48 | Provo, Utah | June 2, 1983 |
| 40 yard dash | 4.09 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | August, 1986 |
Green was the last playerselected in the first round (28th overall) of the1983 NFL draft by theWashington Redskins. The first time he touched the ball, during apre-season game against theAtlanta Falcons, he returned apunt 61 yards for atouchdown.[7] During his firstregular-season game, he made his first big play when he ran downrunning backTony Dorsett of theDallas Cowboys to prevent a touchdown.[1][6] Green started all 16 regular season games during his rookie season and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 109 and led the team in solo tackles with 79.[7] He was runner-up for theAssociated PressNFL Rookie of the Year Award.[7]
"Seeing Darrell come in to the NFL at his size
and background, and to last as long he did, he
was extraordinary. To stay healthy, not get hurt, and
perform at his level was an absolutely amazing
feat. He was a classic player and a classic person."
During thestrike-shortened1987 season, the Redskins went 11–4 and Green had a very successful year. He registered a career-high three interceptions in a game against theDetroit Lions on November 15, 1987.[7] Two of his more notable performances occurred in thatpostseason. One happened during adivisional playoff game against theChicago Bears, where he returned a punt 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown.[1] Green toreribcartilage while vaulting over a tackler during the return, but he merely grabbed his side and kept running until he scored.[1] Then in the1987 NFC Championship game, on a pivotal fourth-down play at the Washington goal line with 56 seconds remaining, Green knocked away a pass intended forMinnesota'sDarrin Nelson to secure a Redskins 17–10 victory that enabled the team to go toSuper Bowl XXII.[1][7]
Green was also successful in the 1990s. In1997, Green returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown against thePhiladelphia Eagles, which was the longest return of his career.[1] Then on December 13, 1997, he played in his 217th career game as a Redskin, breakingMonte Coleman's record for games played.[8] In a1999 game against theArizona Cardinals, he intercepted his 50th NFL pass againstJake Plummer atFedExField.[1]
"Darrell signified perseverance and competitiveness,
and he was an all around great guy at the same time.
We were able to watch him for 20 years, and as far
as I'm concerned he never failed us. He was always a
stalwart in the community and he always maintained a
good heart."
In the last game of his career on December 29, 2002, Green and the Redskins defeated theDallas Cowboys 20–14 atFedExField.[8] During the game, he returned a punt on a reverse fromChamp Bailey for 35 yards which is the longest gain of any kind for a player his age (42 years, 327 days).[9]
Green retired after the2002 season at the age of 42, the oldest Redskin, having played for six head coaches:Joe Gibbs,Richie Petitbon,Norv Turner,Terry Robiskie,Marty Schottenheimer, andSteve Spurrier. For several years, Green and formerLos Angeles/St. Louis Ramsoffensive tackleJackie Slater were the only players in NFL history to play for the same team for 20 seasons; kickerJason Hanson broke this record when he retired after 21 seasons with the Detroit Lions.[10]
In his 20 NFL seasons, Green recorded 54 interceptions, which he returned for 621 yards and six touchdowns.[7] He also added two additional touchdowns on interception returns in thepostseason.[7] Three times he recorded a career-best of five interceptions in a season (1984,1986, and1991).[7] Green also returned 51 punts for 611 yards[7] and recovered 10 fumbles, returning them for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Also known for staying healthy, he missed just 25 games throughout his career.[1] He missed two months after sustaining a broken arm in a 24–17 win over theAtlanta Falcons on September 15, 1992.[11]
"Darrell epitomizes what an NFL player should be. In my
rookie season, he took me in and showed me the ropes,
all the while we were competing for the same position.
I looked up to him as a great player and a great man."
He is the four-time winner of the NFL's Fastest Man competition,[5] and the only undefeated multiple winner in NFL history.[12] Green is rumored to have the fastest recorded 40 yard dash time of 4.09, which he is said to have run in Washington's 1986 training camp.[13]
Green was with the Redskins for their victories inSuper BowlsXXII andXXVI, and started in their loss to theLos Angeles Raiders inSuper Bowl XVIII.[7] Green recorded an interception in Super Bowl XXVI and a then-record 34-yard punt return in Super Bowl XVIII.[14][15]
Green was namedAll-Pro in 1986, 1987, 1990, and 1991 and was voted to sevenPro Bowls. He is a member of theNational Football League 1990s All-Decade Team[7] as well as winning all four NFL Fastest Man competitions he participated in.[5][6] His pre-game rituals included eating and stickingTootsie Rolls in his sock claiming that the candy helped him run fast.[16] Washington retired his number 28 during halftime of a home game against theCarolina Panthers on October 20, 2024.[17]
In 2006, Green was encouraged to run for theUnited States Senate by theRepublican Party of Virginia. The Virginia Republicans wanted Green to enter into politics because of his longtime support for the community and dedication to Christianity.[19]
Green was in the news on February 16, 2010, his 50th birthday, for reportedly running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.[20]
On April 26, 2013, Green announced that he had accepted a position as Special Assistant for Student–Athlete Development and Public Relations at theUniversity of Mary Washington inFredericksburg, Virginia.[21]
On August 22, 2016, Green announced that he had accepted a position as an associate athletics director and special assistant to the athletic director atGeorge Mason University.[22]
Green has a professional services company that manages his appearances and autograph requests, www.DarrellGreen.com.[23] Green is currently an associate athletic director at George Mason University working with student-athletes to improve their well-being, and collaborating with the community. He also started an online fitness company promoting increased physical activity through simply walking called WalkFitHealth Nation.[24]
In 1988, Green founded theDarrell Green Youth Life Foundation, a faith-basedcharitable organization, in an effort to "meet the needs of children, their families and the communities in which they live."[4][5][25]
In addition, he served as a board member for theBaltimore-Washington2012 Summer Olympics bid, NFL/NFLPASeptember 11 Relief Fund, and theLoudoun Education Foundation.[5] In 2003, he was selected to serve as the Chair of PresidentGeorge W. Bush's Council on Service and Civic Participation. He currently sits on the boards of theWolf Trap Foundation as its National Spokesman for Education andMarymount University.[5]
"This is incredible. It's so special. This
literally transcends football, everything I have
gone through to do what I was able to do. It
was more than the ability to run and cover. It
just goes so far beyond that."
In 1999, while still active, Green was ranked number 81 onThe Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.[27]
Green has receivedhonoraryDoctorates of Humane Letters fromMarymount University in 1999, andSt. Paul's College andGeorge Washington University in 2002.[5][28]
In 2004, Green was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame and was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame on August 2, 2008. His fellow Hall of Fame classmates include former Redskins teammateArt Monk, and his former position coachEmmitt Thomas. Green has also been inducted into the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor and the Javelina Hall of Fame.[6]
In December 2007, Green was voted the All-Time Redskins Legend in aWUSA-TV Channel 9 online poll.[5]
InLoudoun County, Virginia, where Green lives,State Route 28 is named Darrell Green Boulevard.
On February 4, 2018, as part of the post-game celebrations for thePhiladelphia Eagles winningSuper Bowl LII, Green was given the honor of bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the podium as it was presented to the Eagles for their 41–33 victory over theNew England Patriots.
Green is married to his wife Jewel and has four children.[5] His eldest sonJared is a pastor. He and his wife live inAshburn, Virginia.[29]
In 2013, he andArt Monk agreed that the name Redskins should possibly be changed.[30]
Darrell Green—awards, championships, and honors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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