Deon Figures

Deon Figures
No. 21, 27
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: (1970-01-10) January 10, 1970
Place of birth: Bellflower, California
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school: Gardena (CA) Junípero Serra
College: Colorado
NFL Draft: 1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 1998
Games played: 93
Games started: 40
Tackles: 269
Interceptions: 9
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Deon Juniel Figures (born January 10, 1970) is a former American college and professional football player who was cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. He played college football for the University of Colorado, and earned All-American honors. A first-round pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.

Early years

Figures was born in Bellflower, California.[1] He grew up playing Pop Warner football in Gardena, under coach Chris Mahoney. He graduated from Junípero Serra High School,[2] where he played for the Serra Cavaliers high school football team.

College career

Figures attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, and played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 1988 to 1992. As a freshman in 1988, he played in 10 games and intercepted two passes against the Iowa State Cyclones, setting a record for Buffalo freshmen. He did not qualify academically in 1989, but played in all 12 games and compiled 67 unassisted tackles and 18 assists as a redshirt sophomore in 1990. In a non-conference game against the No. 12 Washington Huskies, Figures intercepted a second pass from Huskies quarterback Mark Brunell in the final minute of the game to secure the victory. After winning the Big Eight Conference championship with a 7–0 conference schedule and compiling a 10–1–1 overall record, the Buffaloes faced the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl. Memorably, Figures intercepted a pass from Irish quarterback Rick Mirer as time expired to ice the Buffaloes' 10–9 victory and win the 1990 national championship.

By the start of his 1991 junior season, opposing Big Eight coaches were well aware of Figures' defensive skills and sought to direct offensive plays away from him, but nevertheless compiled two interceptions and 39 tackles, and helped the Buffaloes win a share of their third straight Big Eight championship and another top-25 ranking. As a senior in 1992, he had six more interceptions while logging 38 tackles, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American. He was also the recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award and Jack Tatum Trophy as the best college defensive back in the country.

Professional career

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Figures in the first round, 23rd pick overall, of the 1993 NFL Draft,[3] and he played for the Steelers from 1993 to 1996.[4] As a member of the Steelers, he helped his team reach the AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers in 1994. He finished his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997 and 1998.[1] In his six seasons in the NFL, Figures played in 93 games, started 40 of them, and recorded 269 tackles, nine interceptions and four recovered fumbles.[4]

NFL stats

Year Team Games Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted Tackles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Return Interceptions Returned for Touchdown Passes Defended
1993 PIT 15 29 27 2 0.0 1 2 0 1 78 78 78 0 15
1994 PIT 16 70 56 14 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17
1995 PIT 14 11 10 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
1996 PIT 16 61 54 7 0.0 0 0 0 2 13 7 13 0 6
1997 JAX 16 58 56 2 0.0 0 0 0 5 48 10 32 0 10
1998 JAX 16 35 32 3 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 10
Career 93 264 235 29 1.0 2 2 0 9 139 15 78 0 62

[5]

References

  1. 1 2 National Football League, Historical Players, Deon Figures. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ databaseFootball.com, Players, Deon Figures. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, 1993 National Football League Draft. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, Deon Figures. Retrieved February 23, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Deon Figures Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
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