Darnell Dinkins

Darnell Dinkins

No. --     Free Agent
Tight end
Personal information
Date of birth: January 20, 1977 (1977-01-20) (age 34)
Place of birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	Weight: 260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
College: Pittsburgh
Undrafted in 2001
Debuted in 2002 for the New York Giants
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2001) New York Giants (2002–2003) Baltimore Ravens (2004–2005) Cleveland Browns (2006–2008) New Orleans Saints (2009)
Roster status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl Champion (XLIV)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2008
Receptions	25
Receiving yards	228
Touchdowns	3
Stats at NFL.com

Darnell Joseph Dinkins (born January 20, 1977 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American football tight end for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent in 2001. He played college football at Pittsburgh.

Dinkins has also played for the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.

Early years

A standout quarterback and linebacker at Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, Dinkins was named City League MVP by both the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the Pittsburgh Courier and a member of the 1995 Big 33 Team. As a senior he rushed for 435 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and threw 113 passes for 1,256 yards and ten touchdowns. On defense, he had 86 tackles, three knockdowns, four sacks and four fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown).

College career

Dinkins attended the University of Pittsburgh as an undergraduate. He started at free safety for three years while at Pittsburgh also saw time at wide receiver and linebacker in college. He started all 11 games at free safety, finishing second on the team with 78 tackles (49 solo) in 1998 also posted six pass deflections, 2 quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. Dinkins came to the Panthers as a quarterback before shifting to the defensive backfield.

Professional career

New York Giants

In 2002, Dinkins was signed by the New York Giants as a free agent and was allocated to NFL Europa where he played for the Rhein Fire. When he returned he saw action in two games, missing the final 13 games after breaking a bone in his foot. He was inactive for games 4-7 before being placed on injured reserve. He made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers on September 5.

In 2003, Dinkins saw action in seven games after being signed to the Giants active roster from the practice squad in week 10. He finished the season with two receptions for 16 yards and eight special teams tackles.

Baltimore Ravens

Dinkins was waived by the Giants at the end of the training camp and was signed by the Baltimore Ravens on October 2, 2004 to their practice squad before being elevated to the active roster on October 29. He played in ten games, starting four (the first starts of his career), in his first year with the Ravens. He was a key contributor for Baltimore as he pulled in nine receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. He scored his first career touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Kyle Boller versus the Dallas Cowboys on November 21.

In 2005, his second season with the Ravens, Dinkins appeared in all 16 games, including four starts, and totaled 55 yards on six receptions (9.2 avg.).

Cleveland Browns

Dinkins was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent on March 19, 2006. He played in 14 games with two starts and averaged seven yards per reception and one touchdown. He is known more for his size than his receiving ability.

Although not starting a single game in 2007 for the first time in four years he appeared in a total of 15 games. His offensive totals for season was one reception for eight yards (8.0 avg.) which he recorded in week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The only game he did not see action in was the week 6 game against the Miami Dolphins.

In 2008, Dinkins caught his second career touchdown with 2:15 left in the second quarter during the week 6 game against the defending Super Bowl champions, New York Giants. He caught a 22-yard pass from quarterback Derek Anderson while filling in for injured tight end Kellen Winslow. It was his first reception of the 2008 campaign.

New Orleans Saints

Dinkins signed with the New Orleans Saints on March 18, 2009.^[1]

Broadcasting

Dinkins currently broadcasts the Pittsburgh Power of the Arena Football League on 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh's CBS Radio station.^[2]

Personal

Dinkins acquired a college degree in criminology^{[citation needed]} and works to educate local youths in desperate situations. In 2003, he spoke with children from MS 45 about gang prevention on behalf of NYPD Youth Services, visited youth incarcerated at the Union County (N.J.) Juvenile Detention Center, and twice visited Giants Academy in Newark to praise the academic effort of the students. In 2004, Dinkins created his own foundation to host the annual Darnell Dinkins Maleness to Manhood football camp, with the goal involving parents to of teaching inner-city Pittsburgh youth leadership, responsibility, integrity and teamwork.

Dinkins has served as a professor for both Football 101 and 201 programs, and attended the annual "Meet the Giants" Ronald McDonald House dinner. He also led walkers on behalf of the Autism Directory Service in Poughkeepsie, New York.

In late 2008, Dinkins, with fellow Browns player Joshua Cribbs, opened a children's indoor inflatable play arena called Bounce City, which is located in Strongsville, Ohio.

References

1. ^ Triplett, Mike (2009-03-18). "New Orleans Saints agree to deal with free agent tight end Darnell Dinkins". Nola.com. http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/03/new_orleans_saints_agree_to_de_1.html. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
2. ^ http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/05/28/arena-football-preview-power-vs-vigilantes/

External links

• Cleveland Browns bio
• New Orleans Saints bio

Persondata
Name	Dinkins, Darnell
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 20, 1977
Place of birth	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date of death
Place of death