Don Rogers (safety)

For other people named Don Rogers, see Don Rogers (disambiguation).
Don Rogers
Date of birth (1962-09-17)September 17, 1962
Place of birth Texarkana, Arkansas
Date of death June 27, 1986(1986-06-27) (aged 23)
Career information
Position(s) Safety
College UCLA
NFL draft 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18
Career history
As player
1984-1985 Cleveland Browns
Career highlights and awards
Awards 1983 Rose Bowl MVP
Career stats

Donald Lavert Rogers (September 17, 1962 – June 27, 1986) was an American college and professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons during the mid-1980s. Rogers played college football for the University of California, Los Angeles, and was recognized as an All-American. He 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

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, and garnered All-City honors in all three sports. His brother Reggie Rogers also played in the NFL.

College career

He attended UCLA, where he played for the UCLA Bruins football team. Rogers was the co-player of the game in the 1983 Rose Bowl for the Bruins. He also tied a Rose Bowl record in the 1984 Rose Bowl when he caught two interceptions from Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Jack Trudeau.

Pro career

Don Rogers was selected in the first round with the 18th pick of the 1984 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played two seasons with the Browns from 1984 to 1985, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in his rookie season.

Death

Rogers died of a heart attack caused by a cocaine overdose[1] the day before his wedding.[2] He died only eight days after Len Bias, an NBA draft pick who also died of cocaine abuse, starting a national discussion about the relationship between drugs and athletes.

References

  1. ↑ Rogers' death is a second warning
  2. ↑ Kardiac kids: the story of the 1980 Cleveland Browns By Jonathan Knight. Kent State University Press. p. 275

Bibliography

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