Thom Darden
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| Thom Darden | |
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| Date of birth: | August 28, 1950 |
| Place of birth: | Sandusky, Ohio, United States |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | C/S/PR |
| College: | Michigan |
| NFL Draft: | 1972 / Round: 1/ Pick 18 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1972-1981 | Cleveland Browns |
| Career highlights and Awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 1978 |
| Honors: | First team All-Big Ten (1970, 1971) All-American (1971) Big Ten Champions (1969, 1971) All-Pro (1976, 1978, 1979) Pro Bowl (1x) NFL Interceptions leader (1978) NFL Interception return yards leader (1978) |
| Records: | Cleveland Browns Records
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| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Thomas Vincent Darden (August 28, 1950 in Sandusky, Ohio) is a former American football cornerback, safety, and punt returner who played for the Cleveland Browns of the NFL. In the NFL, he was a three-time All-Pro free safety.[1][2][3] He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1978.[4] He holds most Cleveland Browns franchise interception records. He was an All American defensive back for the Michigan Wolverines football team and made one of the more memorable interceptions in college football history.
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[edit] College football
After graduating from Sandusky High School,[5] Darden playing at the University of Michigan from '69-'71 and had 218 tackles and 11 Interceptions.[6] He was an All American in 1971,[7] and he was also named All-Big Ten in 1970.[8] He played on Big Ten champions in both 1969 and 1971.[7] Thom fit in well at Michigan becoming one of Coach Bo Schembechler's prized pupil's and earning a reference in his 2006 book Bo Schembechler. Darden still ranks among leaders at Michigan for Punt Returns and Punt Return Yardage. Darden played all defensive back positions at Michigan.[6]
ESPN chose Darden's November 21, 1971 interception against Ohio State as one of the 100 Plays, performances and moments that define college football.[9] The play was a very controversial call late in the 10–7 game and Woody Hayes stormed the field to rant at Jerry Markbreit about what he thought should have been ruled pass interference.[10] That was Darden's second interception in that game.[11] ESPN also chose Darden as a member of the All-Time University of Michigan Football team.[12]
[edit] Pro football
Darden was Drafted 18th overall in the 1972 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.[13] Darden started at free safety from his rookie season of 1972 until he lost the job in his last season to Clinton Burrell.[14] He posted a total of 45 career interceptions for 820 return yards and 2 touchdowns.[15] Over the course of his career he handled 45 punt returns for 285 return yards.[16] Darden holds Cleveland Browns franchise records with 45 career interceptions, 10 single-season interceptions and 820 interception return yards.[17] Two of Darden's Cleveland Browns teams went to the playoffs. As a rookie, the 10–4 1972 Cleveland Browns went to the 1972-73 NFL playoffs under head coach Nick Skorich, but lost in the first round to the Miami Dolphins 20–14.[18] The 11–5 1980 Cleveland Browns went to the 1980-81 NFL playoffs under head coach Sam Rutigliano, but lost in the first round to the Oakland Raiders 14–12.[19]
[edit] Notes
- ^ 1976 NFL All-Pros. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1978 NFL All-Pros. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1979 NFL All-Pros. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1978 NFL Pro Bowlers. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ Thom Darden. databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ a b University of Michigan Football All-American: Thom Darden. The Regents of the University of Michigan (2007-01-10). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ a b 1971 Football Team. The Regents of the University of Michigan (2007-03-31). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1970 Football Team. The Regents of the University of Michigan (2007-03-31). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ Maisel, Ivan. #58 Over and out. ESPN. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ Recipe for Success. National Football League. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ Versus Ohio State November 20, 1971. Regents of the University of Michigan (2003). Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ Neumann, Thomas (2006-11-16). Blue State/Red State. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ History (1972 Draft first round). NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC.. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ SPORTS PEOPLE; Gillman an Eagle Again. The New York Times. The New York Times Company (1982-02-17). Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ All-Time Players: Thom Darden. NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC.. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ All-Time Players: Thom Darden (more). NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC.. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ Cleveland Browns 2007 Media Guide. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1972 Cleveland Browns. databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ 1980 Cleveland Browns. databaseFootball.com. databaseSports.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
[edit] External links
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