Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1983 to 1993), he played at the free and strong-safety positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Phoenix Cardinals. Born David Russell Duerson, he attended Muncie Northside High School and played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame. While with the Fighting Irish, he received All-American status twice. He was selected by the Bears during the 3rd round of the 1983 NFL Draft and appeared in 160 career regular season games. During the course of his career, Duerson established himself as one of the most accomplished players at his position; he earned four consecutive Pro-Bowl honors (1985 to 1988) and recorded 20 career interceptions for 226 yards. In addition, he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1987. Along with Mike Richardson, Leslie Frazier and Gary Fencik, Duerson formed a Chicago Bears' secondary which was a component of what many consider as being the greatest defense of all-time; as the 1985 Bears' squad captured Super Bowl XX (1986). He was part of a second championship team as a member of the 1990 New York Giants who won Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Following his football career, Duerson (who earned a BS in Economics from Notre Dame) founded a food distribution company. His death at 50 was ruled a suicide. Duerson's family donated his brain to Boston University's School of Medicine, for the study of long-term effects of head injuries sustained by athletes.
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1983 to 1993), he played at the free and strong-safety positions in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears, New York Giants and Phoenix Cardinals. Born David Russell Duerson, he attended Muncie Northside High School and played collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame. While with the Fighting Irish, he received All-American status twice. He was selected by the Bears during the 3rd round of the 1983 NFL Draft and appeared in 160 career regular season games. During the course of his career, Duerson established himself as one of the most accomplished players at his position; he earned four consecutive Pro-Bowl honors (1985 to 1988) and recorded 20 career interceptions for 226 yards. In addition, he was named NFL Man of the Year in 1987. Along with Mike Richardson, Leslie Frazier and Gary Fencik, Duerson formed a Chicago Bears' secondary which was a component of what many consider as being the greatest defense of all-time; as the 1985 Bears' squad captured Super Bowl XX (1986). He was part of a second championship team as a member of the 1990 New York Giants who won Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Following his football career, Duerson (who earned a BS in Economics from Notre Dame) founded a food distribution company. His death at 50 was ruled a suicide. Duerson's family donated his brain to Boston University's School of Medicine, for the study of long-term effects of head injuries sustained by athletes.
Bio by: C.S.
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