.jpg)
Darrell Green, a first round draft pick (28th overall) by the Washington Redskins in the 1983 NFL Draft, enjoyed instant success in the NFL. As a rookie, he set the tone for things to come when he scored the very first time he touched the football. That touchdown came on a 61-yard punt return in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Green started all 16 regular season games during his rookie campaign and finished fourth on the team in tackles with 109 that included a team-leading 79 solo stops. He was runner-up for the Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year Award.
Green quickly developed into a premier cornerback in the NFL and maintained his high standard of play throughout his remarkable 20-season career with the Redskins. Extremely durable, Green’s consistent play was exemplified by his recording of an interception in a record 19 straight seasons. The only year where he did not record a pickoff came during his final season in 2002.
In all, Green totaled a club record 54 interceptions for 621 yards and six touchdowns. He also added two additional touchdowns on interception returns in the post-season. Three times he recorded a career-best of five interceptions in a season (1984, 1986, and 1991). He registered a career-high three interceptions in a game against the Detroit Lions on November 15, 1987.
Known for his speed, something he never lost even as he played into his 40s, Green also had success as a punt returner. He averaged nearly 12 yards a return as he recorded 51 career returns for 611 yards. In addition, he owns the team record for longest fumble return – a 78-yard TD against the Colts in 1993.
Green played in four NFC championship games and three Super Bowls including the team’s victory in Super Bowls XXII and XXVI. In the 1987 NFC Championship Game, on a pivotal fourth-down pass play at the goal line late in the game, Green jarred the ball from Minnesota’s Darrin Nelson to secure a Redskins 17-10 victory that catapulted the team into Super Bowl XXII.
Green was named All-Pro in 1986, 1987, 1990, and 1991 and voted to seven Pro Bowls. He is also a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
| 1983 |
Washington |
16
|
2
|
7
|
3.5
|
0
|
| 1984 |
Washington |
16
|
5
|
91
|
18.2
|
1
|
| 1985 |
Washington |
16
|
2
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
| 1986 |
Washington |
16
|
5
|
9
|
1.8
|
0
|
| 1987 |
Washington |
12
|
3
|
65
|
21.7
|
0
|
| 1988 |
Washington |
15
|
1
|
12
|
12.0
|
0
|
| 1989 |
Washington |
7
|
2
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
| 1990 |
Washington |
16
|
4
|
20
|
5.0
|
1
|
| 1991 |
Washington |
16
|
5
|
47
|
9.4
|
0
|
| 1992 |
Washington |
8
|
1
|
15
|
15.0
|
0
|
| 1993 |
Washington |
16
|
4
|
10
|
2.5
|
0
|
| 1994 |
Washington |
16
|
3
|
32
|
10.7
|
1
|
| 1995 |
Washington |
16
|
3
|
42
|
14.0
|
1
|
| 1996 |
Washington |
16
|
3
|
84
|
28.0
|
1
|
| 1997 |
Washington |
16
|
1
|
83
|
83.0
|
1
|
| 1998 |
Washington |
16
|
3
|
36
|
12.0
|
0
|
| 1999 |
Washington |
16
|
3
|
33
|
11.0
|
0
|
| 2000 |
Washington |
13
|
3
|
35
|
11.7
|
0
|
| 2001 |
Washington |
16
|
1
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
| 2002 |
Washington |
16
|
0
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
| Additional Career Statistics: Sacks: 1.0; Rushing: 1-6; Kickoff Returns: 1-9; Punt Returns: 51-611; Fumble Recoveries for TD: 2 |
Championship Games
1983 NFC – Washington Redskins 24, San Francisco 49ers 21
Green started at left cornerback. He had seven tackles, two passes defensed and one forced fumble.
1986 NFC – New York Giants 17, Washington Redskins 0
Green started at left cornerback. He had two tackles and one assist.
1987 NFC – Washington Redskins 17, Minnesota Vikings 10
Green started at left cornerback. He had four tackles, two assists, and one pass defensed.
1991 NFC – Washington Redskins 41, Detroit Lions 10
Green started at right cornerback. He had one tackle, one half of a special team tackle and one interception which he returned 32 yards for a touchdown.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XVIII – Los Angeles Raiders 38, Washington Redskins 9
Green started at left cornerback. He had one tackle and one punt return for 34 yards.
Super Bowl XXII – Washington Redskins 42, Denver Broncos 10
Green started at left cornerback. He had one tackle and one assist.
Super Bowl XXVI – Washington Redskins 37, Buffalo Bills 24
Green started at right cornerback. He had two tackles, one interception, and two passes defensed.
All-Pro: 1986 (NEA) • 1987 (SN) • 1990 (PW) • 1991 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW)
All-Pro Second Team: 1986 (AP) • 1990 (AP)
All-NFC: 1990 (UPI, PW) • 1991 (UPI, PW)
(7) – 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998
at time of his retirement following 2002 season
[Tied for 1st] Most Seasons, One Club – 20
[Tied for 3rd] Most Seasons – 20
Post-Season Records
[Tied for 2nd] Most Interception Returns for Touchdown, Career – 2
Redskins’ records held by Green
Records through the 2002 season, Green’s final season with Washington
[1st] Most Interceptions, Career – 54
[1st] Most Interception Returns for Touchdown, Career – 6
[1st] Most Seasons – 20
[1st] Most Games Played – 295
[1st] Longest Fumble Return – 78 yards (vs. Indianapolis, Nov. 7, 1993)
[2nd] Most Interception Return Yards, Career – 631
[Tied for 3rd] Most Pro Bowl Appearances – 7
Team Statistical Championships
Interception Titles: 1986, 1991, 1998
1990s All-Decade Team
| 1983 |
Washington Redskins |
14
|
2
|
0
|
(1st)
|
| 1984 |
Washington Redskins |
11
|
5
|
0
|
(1st)
|
| 1985 |
Washington Redskins |
10
|
6
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 1986 |
Washington Redskins |
12
|
4
|
0
|
(2nd)
|
| 1987 |
Washington Redskins |
11
|
4
|
0
|
(1st)
|
| 1988 |
Washington Redskins |
7
|
9
|
0
|
(4th)
|
| 1989 |
Washington Redskins |
10
|
6
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 1990 |
Washington Redskins |
10
|
6
|
0
|
(2nd)
|
| 1991 |
Washington Redskins |
14
|
2
|
0
|
(1st)
|
| 1992 |
Washington Redskins |
9
|
7
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 1993 |
Washington Redskins |
4
|
12
|
0
|
(5th)
|
| 1994 |
Washington Redskins |
3
|
13
|
0
|
(5th)
|
| 1995 |
Washington Redskins |
6
|
10
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 1996 |
Washington Redskins |
9
|
7
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 1997 |
Washington Redskins |
8
|
7
|
1
|
(2nd)
|
| 1998 |
Washington Redskins |
6
|
10
|
0
|
(4th)
|
| 1999 |
Washington Redskins |
10
|
6
|
0
|
(1st)
|
| 2000 |
Washington Redskins |
8
|
8
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
| 2001 |
Washington Redskins |
8
|
8
|
0
|
(2nd)
|
| 2002 |
Washington Redskins |
7
|
9
|
0
|
(3rd)
|
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Full Name: Darrell Ray Green
Birthdate: February 15, 1960
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
High School: Jessie H. Jones (Houston, TX)
Elected to the Pro Football Hal lof Fame: February 2, 2008
Presenter: Jared Green, Darrell’s son
Other members of the Class of 2008: Fred Dean, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett, Gary Zimmerman
Pro Career: 20 seasons, 295 games
Drafted: 1st round of 1983 draft (28th overall) by the Washington Redskins
Uniform Number: 28