Deon Figures

Deon Figures

Date of birth:	January 10, 1970 (1970-01-10) (age 41)
Place of birth:	Bellflower, California
Career information
Position(s):	Cornerback
College:	Colorado
NFL Draft:	1993 / Round: 1 /Pick 23
Organizations
As player:
1993-1996 1997-1998	Pittsburgh Steelers Jacksonville Jaguars
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

Deon Juniel Figures (born January 10, 1970 in Bellflower, California) is a former professional American football cornerback in the NFL. He played four years for the Pittsburgh Steelers 1993 to 1996 and two for the Jacksonville Jaguars 1997 to 1998. While with Pittsburgh in 1994, he helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers. During his early years Deon played popwarner football in gardena for Christopher Charles Mahoney.

He attended the University of Colorado

1988-FRESHMAN SEASON: As a freshman he played in 10 games. His two interceptions set 2 school records:

1. Passes Intercepted By Class/Season - Freshman (True)—2 Deon Figures

2. Passes Intercepted By Class/Game - Freshman (True/Redshirt)—2 Deon Figures vs. Iowa State in Boulder.

The team had finished 8-4 and reached number 19 in the rankings during what would be teammate Sal Aunese’s last season before passing away. Deon then underestimated the rigors of a University of Colorado student workload and did not qualify in 1989. The Buffaloes entered the 1989 season ranked 14th. Sal’s death became a rallying point and the team gathered at midfield and pointed skyward prior to each game that season. Most did not miss Deon that season as the Buffaloes rolled through each opponent en route to a convincing 11-0 regular season record and #1 ranking. A loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl left many Buff fans wondering what would have transpired had the shifty freshman from last season been given the chance to slow the pass-happy Irish attack that day.

1990-SOPHOMORE SEASON: In 1990 Deon did not return to the field until the second game of the season. He was sorely missed as the #5 Buffaloes, playing in the Disney Pigskin Classic in Anaheim, CA, fought to a tie with #8 Tennessee in front of a national television audience. Deon played the next three games: a close comeback win vs unranked Stanford, a 1-point loss to Illinois in Champaign, and a win vs. #22 Texas in Austin. This set up the final game of the non-conference schedule at Folsom vs. #12 Washington. With one minute to play and the Buffs leading by 6, future NFL quarterback , Mark Brunell drove the Huskies into Buff territory. After terrorizing the UW QB all afternoon, Deon picked off Brunell a second time to secure the victory and a 3-1-1 record heading into Big-8 play. The Buffaloes then steamrolled the conference with a 7-0 run giving the CU Buffs a 10-1-1 record and their second consecutive Big 8 title. CU entered the National Title Game ranked number 1 after playing the toughest schedule in the nation. They faced #5 Notre Dame led by another future NFL’er Rick Mirer. Deon put the exclamation point on an incredible season by intercepting Mirer as time expired securing the win and the National Championship. Deon played in 12 games. His nose for the ball and relentless pursuit led to 67 unassisted tackles, another 18 assisted and made him a fan favorite.

1991-JUNIOR SEASON: By the start of the 1991 season, opposing Big-8 coaches were well aware of the young standout on the Buffaloes stacked defensive side of the ball. However, Deon kept up his game with another two interceptions. He logged 39 tackles, 24 of those unassisted. He helped the Buffaloes win a share of their third straight Big-8 title and another top 25 ranking to close the season.

1992-SENIOR SEASON: His senior season in 1992 saw his interceptions increase to 6 while again logging 38 tackles with 27 of those being unassisted. He also inked his named into the records books that year from the special teams squad:

PUNTS 1. Most Returns - Game—10 (for 167 yards), Deon Figures vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992.

2. Yards - Game—167 (10 returns), Deon Figures vs. Kansas State in Boulder, Oct. 24, 1992

Not a single Big-8 defensive coordinator was willing to throw at Deon that season, However, the highlights still came and by seasons end, he was named Big-8 defensive player of the year, voted first team All-American, and awarded the Jim Thorpe Trophy for best defensive back. Deon graduated from CU and is considered by many to be the best corner ever to don the Buffaloes uniform.

Persondata
Name	Figures, Deon
Alternative names
Short description	American football player
Date of birth	January 10, 1970
Place of birth	Bellflower, California
Date of death
Place of death