Andre Young (American football)

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Andre Young

| number = 49

| position = Defensive back

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|11|22}}

| birth_place = West Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 199

| high_school = West Monroe (LA)

| college = Louisiana Tech

| draftyear = 1982

| draftround = 10

| draftpick = 273

| pastteams =

San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|1982|1984}})

| highlights =

First-team All-Southland Conference (1979, 1980)

| statlabel1 = Interceptions

| statvalue1 = 6

| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue2 = 4

| statlabel3 = Touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 1

| pfr = YounAn20

}}

Andre Benoise Young (born November 22, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back for two seasons for the San Diego Chargers.[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YounAn20.htm Andre Young NFL & AFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com]

Early life

While in middle school, Young played as a quarterback.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/633593747/?clipping_id=130611366|title=San Diego's Strong Safety Makes His First Pro Journey to End Zone (II)|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Dave|last=Distel|date=October 10, 1983|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=S12|via=Newspapers.com}} He attended West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana, where he played offensive tackle and some tight end on the football team.

College career

As a freshman at Louisiana Tech, Young played weakside linebacker. He earned first-team all-Southland Conference honors as a sophomore in 1979 at defensive end.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/601187417/?clipping_id=130596947|title=Who's this Young man in San Diego's lineup?|work=Shreveport Journal|first=John James|last=Marshall|date=August 23, 1982|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=1C|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/539647200/?clipping_id=130597044|title=Southland Announces All-League Choices|work=The Daily Advertiser|date=December 2, 1979|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=70|via=Newspapers.com}} Young was moved to middle linebacker the following season and again earned a first-team all-conference selection.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/537831078/?clipping_id=130597825|title=On All-SLC Squad: Four Cagers Selected|work=The Daily Advertiser|date=November 30, 1980|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=72|via=Newspapers.com}} He changed positions once again as a senior; he was converted to a defensive back.

Professional career

Young was selected in the tenth round (273rd overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 1982 NFL draft. He started the preseason as the fifth-string strong safety. In an exhibition against the Dallas Cowboys, Young recorded four tackles, three assists, an interception, and a touchdown-saving pass deflection in two quarters of playing time. He earned a spot on the Chargers' final roster.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/600433009/?clipping_id=130602526|title=Bennett cut by Bengals|work=Shreveport Journal|date=September 8, 1982|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=3C|via=Newspapers.com}} In his NFL debut, Young forced a fumble, recovered two fumbles, and intercepted a pass from Craig Morton in their season-opening win over the Denver Broncos, with the Los Angeles Times saying that "there couldn't have been a more unlikely defensive star."{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/389268898/?clipping_id=130601893|title=Here's a Big Switch: Chargers' Defense Crushes Broncos|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Chris|last=Cobbs|date=September 12, 1982|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=S1|via=Newspapers.com}}

On October 9, 1983, Young picked off Jim Zorn and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to help the Chargers beat the Seattle Seahawks 28–21.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/633593719/?match=1&clipping_id=101501544|title=San Diego's Strong Safety Makes His First Pro Journey to End Zone (I)|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Dave|last=Distel|date=October 10, 1983|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=S1|via=Newspapers.com}} It was both his first touchdown as a pro, and his first since high school. In the 1984 season opener, Young recorded two interceptions to help the Chargers defeat the Minnesota Vikings, 42–13.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/400999646/?clipping_id=130612129|title=Marine Tactics Can't Stop Chargers, 42-13 (II)|work=Los Angeles Times|first=Chris|last=Cobbs|date=September 3, 1984|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=S10|via=Newspapers.com}} He was waived by the Chargers on July 9, 1985.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/569798741/?match=1&clipping_id=130613177|title=Chargers waive goodbye to veterans|work=Escondido Times-Advocate|first=Jay|last=Posner|date=July 10, 1985|access-date=August 24, 2023|page=D1|via=Newspapers.com}}

References

Category:Living people

Category:1960 births

Category:American football safeties

Category:West Monroe High School alumni

Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players

Category:San Diego Chargers players

Category:Players of American football from Louisiana

Category:Sportspeople from West Monroe, Louisiana

Category:20th-century American sportsmen