Darrell Green

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Green's career was defined by his speed and durability, playing all 16 games in his rookie season and missing just 25 games over two decades. He set the record for 19 consecutive seasons with at least one interception. His dominance included three career-best seasons of five interceptions each (1984, 1986, 1991). In the postseason, he delivered iconic moments: a 52-yard punt return to give the Redskins a 14-0 lead against the Chicago Bears in the 1987 divisional playoff despite tearing rib cartilage, and knocking away a pass intended for Darrin Nelson in the end zone to secure the 1987 NFC Championship Game win. He recorded an interception in Super Bowl XXII and a 34-yard punt return in Super Bowl XXVI. Green was named All-Pro four times (1986, 1987, 1990, 1991) and voted to seven Pro Bowls.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of speed came on November 15, 1987, when Green registered a career-high three interceptions against the Detroit Lions. Later that season, during the divisional playoff against the Chicago Bears, he returned a punt 52 yards for the game-winning touchdown. While vaulting over a tackler, he tore rib cartilage but grabbed his side and kept running until he scored. In the 1987 NFC Championship game, with 56 seconds remaining on a pivotal fourth-down play at the Washington goal line, Green knocked away a pass intended for Minnesota's Darrin Nelson to secure a 17–10 victory. His longevity peaked in his final years; on December 29, 2002, at age 42 years and 327 days, he returned a punt on a reverse from Champ Bailey for 35 yards, the longest gain of any kind for a player his age. He retired after the 2002 season having played under six head coaches: Joe Gibbs, Richie Petitbon, Norv Turner, Terry Robiskie, Marty Schottenheimer, and Steve Spurrier.

Reader's Guide

Green's path began in Houston, Texas, where he attended Jesse H. Jones High School. Though severely undersized and on the junior varsity team his junior year, he made the varsity squad as a senior. He attended Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), playing football and running track. In 1982, he was named captain, a first-team All-American, and the Most Valuable Player in the Lone Star Conference. On the track, he ran a 10.08-second 100 meters in San Angelo, Texas, a mark that still stands as the all-time best in the Lone Star Conference. He finished sixth in the 100-meter dash at the 1982 NCAA championships. Drafted 28th overall in 1983, he returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown in his first preseason game and made an immediate impact by running down Tony Dorsett to prevent a touchdown in his first regular-season game. Green was named the 1996 NFL Man of the Year, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and included on the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Did You Know?

• Green was the last player selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 1983 NFL draft.
• He is the four-time winner of the NFL's Fastest Man competition and the only undefeated multiple winner in NFL history.
• Green reportedly ran an unofficial 4.09-second 40-yard dash during Washington's 1986 training camp.
• His pregame rituals included eating and sticking Tootsie Rolls in his sock, claiming the candy helped him run fast.
• Washington retired his number 28 during halftime of a home game against the Carolina Panthers on October 20, 2024.