Green Day

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 enshrinee Darrell Green was honored Tuesday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company as a “Hometown Hall of Famer™” in his hometown of Houston. The event took place at his alma mater Jones High School in front of a crowd of students, friends and family. Green accepted his commemorative plaque that will live permanently on display at the school as an inspiration to the community.

{GALLERY}In addition, the Mayor's office officially proclaimed yesterday as Darrell Green Day.
 
The crowd in attendance was welcomed by athletic director Sheila Williams who introduced special event speakers including Allstate’s Eden Misgina, from the Houston community and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises President/CEO George Veras. Serving as the ceremony’s plaque presenter was Green’s brother Terry who spoke about his life growing up with Darrell in the community. Together Darrell and Terry unveiled the plaque. Then, Darrell addressed the students in the crowd about his plight to become the Hall of Famer he is and how they can do the same.
 
“People always told me I was too short, or not good enough,” shared Green. “But I listened to what my father told me which was that I was a good player and I was fast and look where that got me. Look how well I did. Let me be a lesson that you can do anything and don’t let people bring you down.”
 
After his speech, Green opened the floor to the students for questions. Students asked him about how he kept his faith during times of struggle, how he led a morally strong life and how he overcame adversity in his neighborhood to succeed in his education and career. The final student to speak, a senior, stood and thanked Green for making his way home for the ceremony and providing them inspiration.
 
After playing the cornerback position for two years at Jones High School, Green continued his path at Texas A&I University, known today as Texas A&M-Kingsville, where he was an All-American in both football and track and field. During his career with the Javelinas, Green was selected by his teammates as captain, named a first-team All-American and was the Most Valuable Player in the Lone Star Conference.
 
Green was selected by the Washington Redskins as the 28th player overall in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. It didn’t take long for Green to showcase his speed and talent. He scored the very first time he touched the ball in his preseason debut when he scored on a 61-yard punt return. It was a sign of great things to follow. He started all 16 regular season games as a rookie and led the team in solo tackles.

Over the next 20 seasons, he established himself as one of the game’s most elite cornerbacks. He recorded a franchise best 54 career interceptions which he returned for 621 yards and 6 TDs. Green was elected to seven Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro acclaim four times and was voted to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.  Green started at cornerback in four NFC championship games and three Super Bowl victories.
 
The final “Hometown Hall of Famer™” event of the spring will honor Ozzie Newsome at Colbert County High School in Leighton, Ala., on Thursday May 17. The program will resume in the fall with ceremonies already confirmed for such football legends as Raymond Berry, Eric Dickerson, Dan Dierdorf, and Alan Page.

More on Hometown Hall of Famer™