Don Blackmon

Donald Kirk Blackmon (born March 14, 1958) is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played in the NFL as a linebacker with the New England Patriots. Most recently he was the defensive coordinator for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League (UFL).

Don Blackmon

Blackmon playing for the Patriots in Super Bowl XX
No. 55
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1958-03-14) March 14, 1958 (age 67) Pompano Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:	Boyd H. Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes, Florida)
College:	Tulsa
NFL draft:	1981: 4th round, 102nd pick
Career history
As a player:
New England Patriots (1981–1987)
As a coach:
New England Patriots (1988) (Staff assistant) New England Patriots (1989–1990) (Linebackers coach) Cleveland Browns (1991) (Linebackers coach) New York Giants (1993–1996) (Linebackers coach) Atlanta Falcons (1997–2000) (Linebackers coach) Atlanta Falcons (2001) (Defensive coordinator) Buffalo Bills (2003–2005) (Linebackers coach) Kansas City Chiefs (2006–2007) (Linebackers coach) New York Sentinels (2009) (Defensive coordinator)
Career highlights and awards
New England Patriots All-1980s Team 2× Second-team All-American (1978, 1980)
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 29.5 Fumble recoveries: 6 Interceptions: 5 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Playing career

Blackmon was selected by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL draft. A 6'3". 235 lbs. linebacker from the University of Tulsa, Blackmon played his entire NFL career for the Patriots. He started 72 of 89 games^[1] and recorded 541 tackles, 30.5 sacks, and five interceptions before being forced to retire after a neck injury in a game against the Raiders in 1987. He was on the Patriots AFC title team in 1986. Blackmon was a three time all-conference selection at Tulsa and has been named to the school's Hall of Fame.