Jay Brophy

James Jay Brophy (born July 27, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

Jay Brophy

Brophy pictured in a defensive play for the Dolphins in the 1985-86 AFC Championship game
No. 53, 90
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1960-07-27) July 27, 1960 (age 65) Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school:	Buchtel (Akron)
College:	Miami (FL)
NFL draft:	1984: 2nd round, 53rd pick
Career history
Miami Dolphins (1984–1986) New York Jets (1987) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
National champion (1983) First-team All-American (1983) First-team All-South Independent (1982)
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 2.0 Interceptions: 1 Fumble recoveries: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Brophy played scholastically at John R. Buchtel High School, where he was a letterman in football and basketball.^[1] He played collegiately for the Miami Hurricanes,^[2] As a senior, he was a member of their consensus national champion squad, and was honored by Football News as a first-team All-American.^[3]

Professional career

Brophy was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1984 NFL draft.^[4] He spent three years with the Dolphins, appearing in 31 games, with 11 starts. In 1987 he joined the New York Jets as a replacement player during the NFLPA strike. For his career he collected two sacks, one interception (which he returned 41 yards), and one fumble recovery.^[5]

Brophy signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in February 1988.^[6] He retired in June 1988.^[7]

High school coaching

After the NFL, Brophy went on to coach high school football.^[8] He was the head coach at St. Vincent–St. Mary in Akron in the early-2000s, where his star player was future NBA Hall-of-Famer LeBron James.^[9] As of 2022, he was head coach of the Manchester High School football team in New Franklin, Ohio.^[10]