Darrell Green facts for kids
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Green in 2019
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| No. 28 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | February 15, 1960 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
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| 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 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Darrell Ray Green (born February 15, 1960) is a famous American football player. He was a cornerback for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). He played for 20 seasons, which is a very long time!
Many people think Darrell Green is one of the best cornerbacks ever. He was also known as one of the fastest players in NFL history. He played college football at Texas A&M–Kingsville. The Redskins picked him in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft.
Green played in 295 games for Washington. He helped his team win two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXII and Super Bowl XXVI. He retired in 2003. In 1996, he was named the NFL Man of the Year for his great character. He was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also chosen for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Contents
Early Life and High School Sports
Darrell Green was born in Houston, Texas, on February 15, 1960. He went to Jesse H. Jones High School. There, he was amazing at both track and football.
He was chosen as an All-State athlete in track. He was also picked for the All-City football team. He joined the junior varsity football team in his third year. Then, he made the main varsity team in his senior year.
College Days and Dual Sports
Green went to Texas A&I University for college. This school is now called Texas A&M-Kingsville. He played college football and also ran track there.
Later, he earned his college degree from St. Paul's College in Virginia.
Football Achievements in College
In 1982, his teammates chose Green as their captain. He was named a first-team All-American player. He was also the Most Valuable Player in the Lone Star Conference.
During his final year, Green made 56 tackles. He also had four interceptions. He even returned two punts for touchdowns. He was later named to the Lone Star Conference Team of the Decade for the 1980s.
Track and Field Achievements
Darrell Green was also a fantastic track athlete. He set many national and conference records. He earned ten All-America awards in track.
His first big track meet was in 1982 in Texas. He ran the 100 meters in just 10.08 seconds. This is still the best time ever in the Lone Star Conference. At the 1982 NCAA championships, he finished sixth in the 100-meter dash. He also placed seventh in the 200-meter dash.
Green's fastest college times were 10.08 seconds in the 100 meters. He ran the 200 meters in 20.50 seconds. He also ran the 400 meters in 45.90 seconds. He was named the best track performer at the Lone Star Conference Championships in 1982 and 1983. He won gold medals in the 100 meters in 1981, 1982, and 1983. He also won gold in the 200 meters in 1982 and 1983.
Personal Best Times
Darrell Green's fastest times in different track events were:
| 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 |
Amazing NFL Career
The Washington Redskins picked Darrell Green in the 1983 NFL draft. He was the 28th player chosen overall. In his very first pre-season game, he showed his speed. He returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown!
In his first regular-season game, he made a huge play. He chased down Tony Dorsett, a fast running back, to stop a touchdown. Green started all 16 games in his first year. He was almost named the NFL Rookie of the Year.
Super Bowl Wins and Big Plays
In the 1987 season, the Redskins had a great year. Green had three interceptions in one game. In the playoffs, he made two unforgettable plays.
In a game against the Chicago Bears, he returned a punt 52 yards for a game-winning touchdown. He even tore a rib cartilage during the run but kept going! Then, in the 1987 NFC Championship game, he knocked away a pass near the goal line. This saved the game and sent the Redskins to Super Bowl XXII. They won Super Bowl XXII!
Green also played a key role in the Redskins' win in Super Bowl XXVI. He had an interception in that game. He also had a long punt return in Super Bowl XVIII.
Later Career Highlights
Green continued to play well in the 1990s. In 1997, he returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown. This was his longest return ever. He also broke the Redskins' record for most games played.
In a 1999 game, he got his 50th NFL interception. His last game was on December 29, 2002. The Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys. In that game, Green, at 42 years old, had a 35-yard punt return. This was the longest gain for a player his age.
Green retired after the 2002 season. He was 42 years old, the oldest Redskin player ever. He played for 20 seasons with the same team. This is a rare achievement in the NFL.
Throughout his career, Green had 54 interceptions. He returned them for 621 yards and six touchdowns. He also scored two touchdowns in the playoffs. He was very healthy, missing only 25 games in 20 seasons.
He won the NFL's Fastest Man competition four times. He is the only player to win it multiple times and never lose. It's said he ran a 40-yard dash in an amazing 4.09 seconds. This was during a training camp in 1986.
The Redskins retired his number 28. This means no other player on the team will wear that number.
NFL Records Held by Darrell Green
Darrell Green holds several impressive NFL records:
- Most consecutive seasons with an interception: 19 seasons.
- Most seasons with at least one touch (like catching or returning the ball): 20 seasons. He shares this record with Jerry Rice.
- Oldest player with a gain of more than 35 yards: 42 years, 327 days.
- Oldest player with an interception return for a touchdown in overtime: 35 years, 249 days.
- Oldest player with an interception: 41 years, 304 days.
- Oldest player with an interception return over 80 yards: 37 years, 309 days.
- Oldest NFL defensive back: 42 years old.
- Most games played by a defensive player: 295 games.
- Unofficial fastest 40-yard dash time: 4.09 seconds.
Washington Redskins Team Records
Green also holds many records for the Washington Redskins:
- Most career interceptions: 54.
- Most games started: 258.
- Most games played: 295.
- Most consecutive seasons played: 20.
- Longest fumble return for a touchdown: 78 yards.
- Most interceptions returned for touchdown: 6.
Life After Football
After retiring from football, Darrell Green stayed busy. In 2010, on his 50th birthday, he reportedly ran a 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds! That's still incredibly fast.
He has worked with universities to help student-athletes. He was a Special Assistant at the University of Mary Washington. Later, he became an associate athletics director at George Mason University. He helps student-athletes with their well-being.
Green also started a company called WalkFitHealth Nation. It encourages people to be more active by simply walking.
Helping Others: Charities and Foundations
In 1988, Green started the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. This group helps children, their families, and their communities. It is based on faith and aims to support young people.
He has also served on important boards. He was part of the group trying to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to Baltimore-Washington. He also helped with the NFL/NFLPA September 11 Relief Fund. In 2003, President George W. Bush chose him to lead the Council on Service and Civic Participation. He is also on the board of the Wolf Trap Foundation.
Honors and Recognition
Darrell Green has received many honors for his amazing career and community work.
- In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him number 81 on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
- He has received honorary degrees from several universities.
- In 2004, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
- On August 2, 2008, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- He is also in the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 2007, fans voted him the All-Time Redskins Legend.
- A road in Loudoun County, Virginia, where he lives, is named Darrell Green Boulevard.
- In 2018, he had the honor of bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the stage for the Philadelphia Eagles after they won Super Bowl LII.
Personal Life
Darrell Green is married to his wife, Jewel. They have four children. His oldest son, Jared, is a pastor. Darrell and Jewel live in Ashburn, Virginia.
In 2013, he and former teammate Art Monk suggested that the Redskins team should think about changing their name.
See also
In Spanish: Darrell Green para niños
