Darrick Brownlow

Darrick Brownlow
No. 59, 55, 50
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1968-12-28) December 28, 1968
Indianapolis, Indiana
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight: 37 lb (17 kg)
Career information
High school: Cathedral
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
College: Illinois
NFL Draft: 1991 / Round: 5 / Pick: 132
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 95
Games started: 4
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Darrick Dewayne Brownlow (born December 28, 1968 in Indianapolis, Indiana) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Illinois.

Early years

Brownlow attended Cathedral High School, winning the Indiana 3A state high school championship in 1986. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Illinois. In his first year he was named captain of the special teams units, becoming the first freshman in school history to be named a game captain.

As a sophomore, he was named the starter at middle linebacker, led the Big Ten Conference in tackles with 155 and became the leader of the Illini defense. The next year he posted 130 tackles (third in the conference).

As a senior, despite mid-season back and ankle injuries, he finished with 155 tackles (second in the conference), one interception and one fumble recovery. He became only the fifth player in school history to receive All-Big Ten honors in three consecutive seasons. He was named the Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and placed second in the balloting for the Butkus award.[1] He also received the 1991 Hula Bowl defensive MVP award, after making 9 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

He was named by the media to the Illini 1980s All-Decade Team and ranks third on the Illinois' career tackles list.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

Brownlow was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft, after dropping because concerns with his size. As a rookie, he had an impact playing on the special teams units, which included blocking a punt that helped upset the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Playoff win.[2]

Buffalo Bills

He signed with the Buffalo Bills as a Plan B free agent in 1992.[3] He was waived on August 31.[4]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On September 1, 1992, he was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[5] He started the last four games of the 1992 season. Although he was cut on September first, 1993,[6] he was later re-signed during the second week of the season, posting 9 defensive tackles and 11 special teams tackles.

Los Angeles Raiders

In 1994, he signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Raiders and was released on July 14.[7]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

Brownlow signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1994 to help upgrade the coverage units and led the team in special teams tackles with 27.

Washington Redskins

On March 16, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins. He received recognition as one of the best special teams players in the league at different times during his six-year career and retired in 1997 after never missing a game.

Personal life

Brownlow currently resides in Indianapolis with his wife and three kids. Upon retiring from the NFL, he earned an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and is the owner of several businesses in Indianapolis. He is also an assistant football coach at his alma-mater, Cathedral High School.

References

  1. ↑ "Colorado Lb Wins Butkus Award". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Cowboys". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Cowboys sign Cornish, but lose Hendrix". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Transactions". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Bucs Bring Back 5 From Waivers". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  7. ↑ "RAIDERS : Rathman Set to Sign for Two Years". Retrieved February 19, 2017.
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