Don Rogers (safety)
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2010) |
No. 20 | |||||
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Position: | Safety | ||||
Personal information | |||||
Born: | Texarkana, Arkansas, U.S. | September 17, 1962||||
Died: | June 27, 1986 Sacramento, California, U.S. | (aged 23)||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||
Weight: | 206 lb (93 kg) | ||||
Career information | |||||
High school: | Norte Del Rio (CA) | ||||
College: | UCLA | ||||
NFL draft: | 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18 | ||||
Career history | |||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Donald Lavert Rogers (September 17, 1962 – June 27, 1986) was an American professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the mid-1980s. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, and was recognized as an All-American. Rogers played professionally for the NFL's Cleveland Browns, but his career was cut short when he died of a heart attack caused by cocaine use in 1986.
Early years[edit]
Rogers was born in Texarkana, Arkansas. He graduated from Norte Del Rio High School in Sacramento, California in 1980, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball, garnering All-City honors in all three sports. His brother Reggie Rogers also played in the NFL.
College career[edit]
Rogers attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played for the Bruins. He was Co-Player of the Game in the 1983 Rose Bowl for the UCLA, along with quarterback Tom Ramsey. He also tied a Rose Bowl record in the 1984 Rose Bowl when he made two interceptions from Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Jack Trudeau.
Professional career[edit]
Rogers was selected in the first round with the 18th overall pick of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.[1] He played two seasons with the Browns from 1984 to 1985.
Death[edit]
Rogers died of a heart attack caused by a cocaine overdose[2] the day before his wedding.[3] His death came only eight days after that of Len Bias, an NBA draft pick who also died of cocaine abuse, prompting a national discussion about the relationship between illegal drugs and athletes.
References[edit]
- ^ "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ Rogers' death is a second warning
- ^ Kardiac kids: the story of the 1980 Cleveland Browns By Jonathan Knight. Kent State University Press. p. 275
Bibliography[edit]
- Harvey, Sean D. (2007). One Moment Changes Everything: The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers. Sports Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59670-231-8.
- 1962 births
- 1986 deaths
- All-American college football players
- American football safeties
- Cleveland Browns players
- Cocaine-related deaths in California
- National Football League Defensive Rookie of the Year Award winners
- People from Texarkana, Arkansas
- UCLA Bruins football players
- Players of American football from Arkansas
- Players of American football from Sacramento, California