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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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 former football player. He played as a cornerback for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. Many people think he is one of the best cornerbacks and fastest players ever in the NFL.
Darrell Green played college football for the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas. The Redskins chose him in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. He played in 295 games for Washington. He helped his team win two Super Bowls: XXII and XXVI. He retired in 2003. In 1996, he was named the NFL Man of the Year. He was also added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Contents
Early Life and High School Years
Darrell Green was born on February 15, 1960, in Houston, Texas. He went to Jesse H. Jones High School there. In high school, he was great at both track and football. He was chosen as an All-State athlete in track. He was also an All-City player in football.
Green joined the junior varsity football team in his third year of high school. Then, in his senior year, he made it onto the varsity team.
College Sports Career
Darrell Green went to Texas A&I University (now called Texas A&M-Kingsville). He played college football and ran track there. Later, he earned his degree in general studies from St. Paul's College.
College Football Highlights
In 1982, his teammates chose Green to be their captain. He was also named a first-team All-American player. He was the Most Valuable Player in the Lone Star Conference. During his last year, Green made 56 tackles. He also had four interceptions and scored two touchdowns from punt returns. He was even picked for the Lone Star Conference Team of the Decade for the 1980s.
College Track and Field Achievements
In track and field, Green set many national and conference records. He earned ten All-America awards. His first track meet was in 1982. He ran the 100 meters in 10.08 seconds. This is still the best time ever in the Lone Star Conference. At the 1982 NCAA championships, Green finished sixth in the 100-meter dash. He also finished seventh in the 200-meter dash.
Green's best college times were 10.08 seconds in the 100 meters. He ran the 200 meters in 20.50 seconds. His time for the 400 meters was 45.90 seconds. He was named the most valuable track athlete 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.
Green's Fastest Times
| Event | Time (seconds) | Location | 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 |
Professional Football Career
The Washington Redskins picked Darrell Green as the last player in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. This was the 28th pick overall. In his very first pre-season game, he returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown. This happened against the Atlanta Falcons.
In his first regular-season game, he made a huge play. He chased down Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett to stop a touchdown. Green started all 16 games in his first year. He had 109 tackles and led the team with 79 solo tackles. He was almost named the Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year Award.
Super Bowl Wins and Key Plays
During the 1987 season, which was shorter due to a strike, the Redskins won 11 games. Green had a great year. He made three interceptions in one game against the Detroit Lions. This was his career high.
He had two amazing plays in the playoffs that year. In a game against the Chicago Bears, he returned a punt 52 yards for the winning touchdown. He hurt his rib while jumping over a player, but he kept running to score. Then, in the 1987 NFC Championship game, he knocked away a pass near the goal line. This saved the game for the Redskins, who won 17–10. This win sent them to Super Bowl XXII.
Green also played well in the 1990s. In 1997, he returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown. This was his longest return ever. On December 13, 1997, he played in his 217th game as a Redskin. This broke the record for most games played by a Redskin. In a 1999 game, he got his 50th NFL interception.
Retirement and Legacy
Darrell Green's last game was on December 29, 2002. The Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys 20–14. In that game, he returned a punt for 35 yards. This was the longest gain for any player his age (42 years, 327 days).
Green retired after the 2002 season when he was 42 years old. He was the oldest Redskin player ever. He played for 20 seasons, all with the same team. Only a few other NFL players have played for one team for 20 seasons.
In his 20 NFL seasons, Green had 54 interceptions. He returned these for 621 yards and six touchdowns. He also scored two more touchdowns from interceptions in the playoffs. Three times he had five interceptions in a season. Green also returned 51 punts for 611 yards. He recovered 10 fumbles, returning them for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He was very healthy and only missed 25 games in his whole career.
Green won the NFL's Fastest Man competition four times. He is the only player to win it multiple times and never lose. It is said that he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.09 seconds in 1986. This is one of the fastest times ever recorded.
Green was part of the Redskins teams that won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI. He also played in Super Bowl XVIII. He made an interception in Super Bowl XXVI. He also had a 34-yard punt return in Super Bowl XVIII, which was a record at the time.
Green was named All-Pro in 1986, 1987, 1990, and 1991. He was also chosen for seven Pro Bowls. He is a member of the National Football League 1990s All-Decade Team. His jersey number 28 was retired by Washington.
NFL Records Held by Darrell Green
- Most consecutive seasons with an interception: 19
- Most seasons with at least one touch (receptions, rushes, returns): 20 (tied with Jerry Rice)
- Oldest player with a gain of more than 35 yards (on a punt return): 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 of more than 80 yards: 37 years, 309 days
- Oldest player with a non-offensive touchdown in overtime: 35 years, 249 days
- Oldest NFL defensive back: 42 years old
- Most games played by a defensive player: 295
- Unofficial fastest 40-yard dash time: 4.09 seconds (in 1986 training camp)
Washington Redskins Records
- 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 continued to be active. In 2006, some people from the Republican Party of Virginia wanted him to run for the United States Senate. They thought he would be a good politician because he had helped the community for a long time.
On his 50th birthday, February 16, 2010, news came out that he reportedly ran a 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. This showed he was still very fast!
In 2013, Green took a job at the University of Mary Washington. He worked as a special assistant to help student-athletes and with public relations. In 2016, he accepted a similar role at George Mason University.
Community Work and Charities
In 1988, Green started the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation. This group helps children, their families, and their communities. He also worked with other important groups. He was on the board for the Baltimore-Washington bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He also helped with the NFL/NFLPA September 11 Relief Fund. In 2003, President George W. Bush asked him to lead a council about community service.
Awards and Recognition
In 1999, while he was still playing, The Sporting News ranked Green as number 81 on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
He has received special honorary degrees from several universities. In 2004, Green was added to the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 2, 2008. His former teammate Art Monk and coach Emmitt Thomas were also in his Hall of Fame class. Green is also in other Halls of Fame, like the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame.
In 2007, fans voted Green as the All-Time Redskins Legend in an online poll. In Loudoun County, Virginia, where Green lives, a road called State Route 28 is named Darrell Green Boulevard.
In 2018, at Super Bowl LII, Green had the honor of bringing the Lombardi Trophy to the stage. This was for the Philadelphia Eagles after they won the Super Bowl.
Personal Life
Darrell Green is married to his wife, Jewel. They have four children. His oldest son, Jared, is a pastor. Darrell and Jewel Green live in Ashburn, Virginia.
In 2013, Darrell Green and Art Monk both agreed that the name "Redskins" for the team should possibly be changed.
See also
In Spanish: Darrell Green para niños
- List of NFL career interceptions leaders
