Derrie Nelson

Derald Lawrence Nelson (born February 8, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Derrie Nelson

No. 55
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1958-02-08) February 8, 1958 (age 67) York, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	236 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:	Fairmont (NE)
College:	Nebraska
NFL draft:	1981: 4th round, 108th pick
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (1981)* Cleveland Browns (1981)* San Diego Chargers (1982–1986)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (1980) Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year (1980) 2× First-team All-Big Eight (1979, 1980)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 48 Games started: 1 Fumble recoveries: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Nelson attended Fairmont Public School where he received All-State honors in football. He also lettered in baseball as a pitcher.

He walked on at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He became a starter for the Cornhuskers at the stand-up defensive end position as a sophomore, registering 42 tackles (20 solo), 3 fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked punt. The next year, he recorded 58 tackles (34 solo), 2 fumble recoveries and 2 passes defensed.

As a senior, he was the captain of a defense that gave up an average of only 9.1 points per game. He finished with 57 tackles (42 solo), 2 fumble recoveries and one pass defensed.

In 1998, he was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Nelson was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 1981 NFL draft, with the intention of playing him at linebacker. He was waived on August 3.^[1]

Cleveland Browns

On August 21, 1981, he signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. He was released before the start of the season.

San Diego Chargers

In 1982, he signed as a free agent with the San Diego Chargers, but suffered an injury during preseason and was placed on the injured reserve list on August 30.^[2] The next year, he became a special teams standout. He was voted Chargers special teams player of the year by his teammates in 1983 and 1985.

On August 20, 1984, he was placed on the injured reserve list.^[3] He was activated on November 9 and was able to play in six games.^[4] Nelson was released on August 29, 1987.^[5]

Personal life

His uncle Bob Cerv was a Major League Baseball All-Star with the Kansas City Athletics and the New York Yankees.^[6]