Reggie Givens

Last updated
Reggie Givens
No. 59, 58
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1971-10-03) October 3, 1971 (age 52)
Emporia, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:234 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school:Sussex Central (VA)
College: Penn State
NFL draft: 1993  / Round: 8 / Pick: 213
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • CFL East All-Star (1996)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:41
Player stats at PFR

Reginald Alonzo Givens (born October 3, 1971) is a former American football linebacker in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Stallions, Toronto Argonauts, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins. He played college football at Penn State University.

Contents

Early years

Givens attended Sussex Central High School, where he was an All-American and Virginia's high school defensive player of the year in 1988, after registering over 100 tackles. [1] He also was a standout in basketball and track.

He accepted a scholarship from Penn State University and became a starter at outside linebacker as a true freshman for the last 5 games of the season, which was a difficult achievement in a Joe Paterno coached team. What he lacked in size, he compensated with his speed and instincts, finishing with 38 tackles (3 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries.

As a sophomore, he started nine games at sam linebacker, recording 47 tackles (sixth on the team), 3 tackles for loss, 5 passes defensed, 2 sacks and one interception. [2] As a junior, he started every game for a team that finished ranked third in the nation, posting 41 tackles (5 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 interceptions.

As a senior co-captain he posted 59 tackles (second on the team), 7 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. His best moment came when he was named the defensive MVP of the 1992 Fiesta Bowl in a 47-17 win against the University of Tennessee, after causing two crucial turnovers, including a fumble return for a 23-yard touchdown. [3] After his career was over, Paterno told NFL scouts that Givens "was my best linebacker here since Jack Ham".

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Givens was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (213th overall) of the 1993 NFL draft, after dropping because he was considered undersized for the linebacker position. [4] Because of his speed, he was tried both at linebacker and strong safety. He was waived on August 30. [5]

Chicago Bears

In 1994, he was signed by the Chicago Bears, before being released on August 18. [6]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)

In 1994, he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He was released the next year.

Baltimore Stallions (CFL)

On August 9, 1995, he was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League. [7] He was the backup of middle linebacker O. J. Brigance and was a part of the team that won the Grey Cup that season.

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

In 1996 he signed with the Toronto Argonauts, where he played at linebacker and rush end. He won two straight Grey Cups with the team. His 182 fumble recovery yards in 1997, was a CFL single season record.

San Francisco 49ers

In 1998 he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he was voted as a special teams captain in the two seasons he played with the club.

Washington Redskins

Givens signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins on April 13, 2000. He was cut on November 9. [8]

Toronto Argonauts (CFL)

On July 29, 2002, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He was released the next year.

Ottawa Renegades (CFL)

The Ottawa Renegades convinced Givens to come out of retirement to play for them in 2004. He was released on March 30, 2005. [9]

Personal life

Givens is a fitness and wellness coach with his own company Blitz Mobile Fitness. He is also a real estate broker.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Josue</span> American football player (born 1980)

Steve Josue is a former professional American football linebacker who played in the National Football League, NFL Europe, and Canadian Football League (CFL). Josue played college football at Carson–Newman.

Jonathan Bernard Brown is a former professional American, Canadian and Arena football defensive end, who last played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He has also played for the Toronto Argonauts. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was formerly the head coach for his high school alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akeem Jordan</span> American gridiron football player (born 1985)

Akeem Raphael Jordan is an American former professional football linebacker. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and Toronto Argonauts. He played college football at James Madison University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeVone Claybrooks</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1977)

Natravis DeVone Claybrooks is the former head coach of the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for seven different teams. He also was a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Calgary Stampeders in the CFL. He has also been the defensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders. On December 11, 2018, he was announced as head coach of the BC Lions, replacing the retired Wally Buono. Claybrooks played college football at East Carolina.

Victor Allen Butler is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon State University.

Thaddeus Gibson is a former American football defensive end. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crezdon Butler</span> American football player (born 1987)

Crezdon Butler is an American former professional football defensive back. He played college football at Clemson University. He was selected in the fifth round, with the 164th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a journeyman cornerback, Butler was a member of eight different NFL teams; the Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Martez Jerome Wilson is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League. He played college football at the University of Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hénoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Hénoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He is a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He has also been a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrell McClain</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Terrell McClain is an American professional football defensive lineman who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of South Florida. He has also been a member of the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damontre Moore</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Damontre Lamounte Moore is an American professional football defensive end who is a free agent. He was selected by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M, where he earned All-American honors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Tuggle</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Justin DuJian Tuggle is an American former Canadian football linebacker. He was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2013. He played college football at Kansas State. Tuggle is the son of former five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jessie Tuggle. He is also the brother of Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boseko Lokombo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Boseko Lokombo is a Congolese-Canadian professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Lokombo has been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and the Toronto Argonauts. He has also been a member of the Baltimore Ravens, the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cordarro Law</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Cordarro Law is a Canadian football defensive lineman for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Southern Mississippi. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He has also been a member of the San Diego Chargers and Calgary Stampeders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Lemon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Shawn Lemon is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron. He has been a member of eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams and two NFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davon Coleman</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Davon Coleman is an American gridiron football defensive tackle who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In college, he first enrolled at Fort Scott Community College before transferring to Arizona State University. He has also been a member of four National Football League (NFL) teams and three other CFL teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kennan Gilchrist</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Kennan Gilchrist is a former Canadian football linebacker in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Toronto Argonauts. He also was a member of the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Appalachian State University.

La'Darius Hamilton is an American professional gridiron football defensive end who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at North Texas, and originally signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Edwards (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Christopher Edwards is a retired professional Canadian football defensive back, who most recently played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Fayad (American football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1999)

Ali Fayad is a Lebanese-American gridiron football linebacker who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Western Michigan and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He also played for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL and Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League (USFL).

References

  1. ↑ "Freshman to the fore" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "'Linebacker U.' builds a noteworthy squad" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ "21st Annual Game, 1992" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Transactions" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  8. ↑ "At Redskins Park, New Faces, Feet" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Renegades add Canadian fullback" . Retrieved April 30, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.