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| No. 78 | |
| Defensive tackle | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: August 25, 1953 | |
| Place of birth: Dallas, Texas | |
| Career information | |
| College: Texas | |
| NFL Draft: 1975 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38 | |
| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
| * Detroit Lions (1975–1985) | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
* 4× Pro Bowl (1978, 1981–1983)
| |
| Sacks | 59 |
| Games | 131 |
| Safeties | 4 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| College Football Hall of Fame | |
Lowell Douglas English (born August 25, 1953) is a former American football Defensive Tackle for the Detroit Lions (1975–1985).
Early years
English was born in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Bryan Adams High School.
College career
English attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1976 with a major in History. He helped the Texas Longhorns to three Southwest Conference titles. He was also a member of the Texas Cowboys. In 2011, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Along with defensive end Al "Bubba" Baker, English was a cornerstone of the Lions’ feared "Silver Rush" defensive line of the late 70’s and early 80’s. The 6-foot-5, 255 pound English was Detroit’s second-round pick in 1975 out of the University of Texas. In 1979, after recording 122 tackles (90 solo) and 6.5 sacks, English was voted as the team’s Defensive MVP. After a year off due to chronic injuries that were hampering his play, English rejoined the Lions prior to 1981 season.
English’s best season came in 1983, when he recorded 13 sacks and two safeties, making him only one of 17 NFL players to record two safeties in a single season. That year, the Lions won the NFC Central Division title with a 9-7 mark, and lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 24-23, in the divisional round. Upon the arrival of new coach Darryl Rogers in 1985, English was moved to nose tackle in the team’s new 3-4 defensive alignment. His career ended after that season due to a serious neck injury. He finished his career with 59 sacks, which still places him sixth on the Lions’ all-time list. He was named All-Pro three times (1981, 1983–84) and went to four Pro Bowls (1979, 1982–84). English had 4 safeties throughout his career, tying him with Ted Hendricks and Jared Allen for the most safeties in NFL history.
Doug is also the President of the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation.
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