Don Rogers (safety)

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Don Rogers
No. 20
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born:(1962-09-17)September 17, 1962
Texarkana, Arkansas, U.S.
Died:June 27, 1986(1986-06-27) (aged 23)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
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
Career NFL statistics
Games:31
Interceptions:2

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]

  1. ^ "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  2. ^ Rogers' death is a second warning
  3. ^ 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.