Thomas Everett

Thomas Gregory Everett (born November 21, 1964) is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He played nine seasons for three teams (Pittsburgh Steelers 1987–1991, Dallas Cowboys 1992–1993, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1994–1995). He attended Baylor University where he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in college football. As a member of the Cowboys in 1993 he made the Pro Bowl.

Early years
Everett was born in Daingerfield, Texas. In Daingerfield High School he played seven positions including quarterback. Everett was the first, and so far only person to have his number retired at Daingerfield High School. His number hangs today in the school's field house.

College career
Everett attended Baylor University where he played under College Football Hall of Fame coach Grant Teaff. As a freshman, he was a starter at cornerback halfway through the season. He opened the next year at corner but was moved to safety in his second game, there he blossomed making 99 tackles. In his junior year he became one of the best defensive backs in the nation earning a two-time All-American selection, being named twice Southwest Conference Most Valuable Player and first team All-Conference.

He was voted the conference’s Athlete of the Year for the 1986-1987 school year. He ranks among Baylor’s top ten in career interceptions (12), tackles (325), punt returns (80) and punt return yards (766). Not only was he adept at coverage and as a tackler, but also was a fine punt returner, leading his team in punt return yards three times.

He was a leader during one of the program's most successful eras as the Bears won 30 games and appeared in three bowl games. He was named to Baylor's All-Decade of the 1980s Team an to the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame.

Everett was the first-ever winner of the Jim Thorpe Award in in 1986 as the nation’s top defensive back.

In 2006, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Everett was selected in by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 4th round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played in Pittsburgh for 5 seasons and intercepted 16 passes over that time. He was a top notch safety when a contract dispute paved the way for a trade with the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth round draft choice.

Dallas Cowboys
He was one of the most important trades made during the Jimmy Johnson era, that helped to solidify the team's defensive backfield.

In Everett' first season with the Cowboys he wore number 31 because reserve running back Curvin Richards wore number 27, the number Thomas wore for five seasons with the Steelers. When Richards was cut after the final regular season game in 1992 for fumbling, he changed his number to 27 for the playoffs. The Cowboys went on to win the Super Bowl with him recording two interceptions in a 52-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After the 1993 season, Everett signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played there for 2 seasons before retiring.

Personal life
He is also the older brother of former NFL football player, Eric Everett (of Texas Tech University), who played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1988–89), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990), Kansas City Chiefs (1991), and Minnesota Vikings (1992).

He currently runs an athletic camp called Thomas Everett Athletics but was hired to be the head football coach at the Episcopal School of Dallas starting in the Spring of 2010.

Thomas Everett