Don Rogers (safety)

For other people named Don Rogers, see Don Rogers (disambiguation).

Don Rogers

Date of birth:	September 17, 1962(1962-09-17)
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
Organizations
As player:
1984-1985	Cleveland Browns
Career highlights and awards
Awards:	1983 Rose Bowl MVP
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Donald Lavert Rogers (September 17, 1962 - June 27, 1986) was an American football Safety for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League.

Early life

Rogers was born in Texarkana, Arkansas. He graduated from Norte Del Rio High School in Sacramento, Ca. in 1980, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball; and garnered All-City honors in all three sports. He attended UCLA and played college football for the Bruins. His brother Reggie Rogers also played in the NFL.

Don Rogers was the co-player of the game in the 1983 Rose Bowl for the UCLA 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^{[citation needed]}.

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

• Harvey, Sean D. (2007). One Moment Changes Everything: The All-America Tragedy of Don Rogers He left behind a son Don jr. Sports Publishing, Inc.. ISBN 1596702311. 

Persondata
Name	Rogers, Don
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 17, 1962
Place of birth	Texarkana, Arkansas
Date of death	June 27, 1986
Place of death