Tommy Vardell

NFL player


Name=Tommy Vardell
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1969|02|20
Birthplace= El Cajon, California
DateofDeath=
Position=Fullback
College=Stanford
DraftedYear=1992
DraftedRound=1 / Pick 9
Stats=Y
DatabaseFootball=VARDETOM01
PFR=VardTo00
years=1992-1995
1996
1997-1998
1999
teams=Cleveland Browns
San Francisco 49ers
Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers
ProBowls=

Thomas "Tommy" Arthur Vardell (Born February 20, 1969, in El Cajon, California) is a former professional American football fullback in the National Football League.

In 1990, Vardell was given the nickname "Touchdown Tommy" by then Stanford head coach Denny Green after scoring four touchdowns (all from the one yard line) against Notre Dame. For the Cardinal, Vardell rushed for 1,843 yards with 37 touchdowns in his college career. He never fumbled once for Stanford, and ranks second in Stanford football history for most touchdowns and third for most rushing yards.

Vardell was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round (9th overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft. In his pro career, Vardell played in eight NFL seasons for the Browns, the Detroit Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers.

He was the starting fullback when Barry Sanders rushed for 2,053 yards in the 1997–1998 NFL season. Vardell was also the first fullback used by Sanders in his career.