Dave Betancourt | Sports Section Manager

1/25/02

Aside from being born in 1983 during the middle of the NFL season when I made my debut into this world, there was one young star athlete out of Texas A&M-Kingsville who made a big debut himself into the NFL.   This longtime Redskin has stayed with one team all 19+ years of his career, something all types of athletes wish they could do.  He has compiled 1176 total tackles, 961 solos.  He's recorded 54 interceptions, at least one every season he has played.  Year after year he has set record after record, both team and NFL.  He has been a role model to myself, among thousands of others.  In 1983 I took on the role of being an older brother to two others of my family, and in the same year Darrell Green began his role of being an older brother to his family, the Washington Redskins.

During Week 6 of the Washington Redskins roller coaster, soap opera season, you could find one player who was still all smiles.  His team was 0-5 and he still was happy he was out there.  He recorded 7 solo tackles, leading the Skins in tackles that game.   His play and leadership helped the Redskins turn around their season and go on a 5-0 winning streak.  Sure Lavar Arrington¹s interception return for a touchdown sparked the turnaround season for the Skins, but it¹s Green who has influenced Arrington and company.  He has been doing spectacular plays week after week for years after years.

Green has been part of some of the many rich Redskins traditions that Skins fans love to follow.  Not to mention, he is a hell of a player to watch.  In Sept. 5, 1983, his first NFL game, the rookie chases down the Cowboys' Tony Dorsett and catches Dorsett from behind.  Two weeks later, he recorded his first NFL interception against the Kansas Chiefs and QB Jeff Kenney in a 27-12 Redskins win at RFK Stadium.

Green finishes his rookie season with a career-high 109 tackles and a trip to Super Bowl XVIII against the Los Angeles Raiders in Tampa.  The Super Bowl appearance marked the first appearance of three total, two of the appearances he was on the winning side.  The next year he is named a starter for the NFC Pro Bowl team, the first of seven appearances.

When Deion Sanders came into town, Green was determined to show he was still the best, he was ready to play off the bench.  When critics give him a hard time, saying he has lost many great aspects of his game including a step or two, he regained his title of being the fastest Redskin posting a 4.24 40 yard dash time at the age of 40, he was ready to show them up.  He intercepted Donovan McNabb¹s pass on December 16th 2001, to extend his NFL record of intercepting a pass in 19 straight seasons.

A day later he announced to the world of football he is ready to come back for his 20th season as a Redskin and 20th in the NFL. Off the field, Green has dedicated his life to serving youth, and has demonstrated his commitment to the D.C. metro area by founding the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation in 1988.

The foundation¹s mission is to open doors of opportunity for boys and girls whose circumstances limit their chances to live educated, moral, well adjusted lives.  The centerpiece of the foundation is the Youth Life Learning Center. The Center is a community based values-driven program intended to train this generation to be educationally, technically and morally excellent. Since the original center began in Northeast D.C. eight years ago, three additional centers have started in various cities around the USA.

The foundation is also known for its annual "Christmas with the Redskins". During this time, players from the Redskins and individuals from the community provide essential items for kids who live in Washington, D.C. area.  Green has devoted his time working with the Big Brothers of America in the D.C. area, on anti-drug campaigns and other projects. Green has also been the Redskins representative in the NFL-sponsored United Way outreach program.

Green is the second of a very few selection of my "Living Legends" that I will be documenting on during the eleventh season for Whim.  The spectacular thing about Darrell Green is that he is still living the game.  He stated earlier this year that when he says he retires, "that's it."  He decided he has at least another year left, and I wouldn't be surprised that in his 20th season, he will intercept a pass boosting his record to 20 straight seasons of having at least one interception.  

Nevertheless, if Green does not start next year, he'll have guys like Arrington, Champ Bailey, and Fred Smoot, looking up to him. He's glad to be an influence because he took that role back in 83 of being the big brother, and he does a damn good job at being one.