Dave Albright
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (1960–2023)}}
{{distinguish|David Albright}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox gridiron football person
| name = Dave Albright
| position1 = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1960|01|25}}
| birth_place = Oakland, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|01|26|1960|01|25}}
| death_place = Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
| number =
| college = San Jose State
| high_school = Marina HS
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 235
| playing_years1 = {{USFL Year|1985}}
| playing_team1 = Memphis Showboats
| playing_years2 = {{CFL Year|1986}}–{{CFL Year|1991}}
| playing_team2 = Saskatchewan Roughriders
| career_highlights =
}}
David J. Albright (January 25, 1960 – January 26, 2023) was an American gridiron football linebacker who played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played high school football for Marina High School and college football at Chabot College. He later transferred to San Jose State University and played for the Spartans. From 1986 to 1991, Albright recorded 377 tackles and 12 sacks with the Roughriders over 76 games.{{cite book|last1=Maher|first1=Tod|last2=Gill|first2=Bob|title=The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012|date=2013|publisher=Maher Sports Media|isbn=978-0983513667|page=141}}
Professional career
In 1985, Albright played with the Memphis Showboats of the United States Football League (USFL) and helped them reach the semifinals. When the USFL folded the following year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Albright.{{cite news|last1=Davidson|first1=James|title=Argos use trade route to replace linebacker|work=The Globe and Mail|date=September 18, 1986|page=E1}} He played in eight regular season games as a rookie in the CFL, but he made no tackles. In 1987, Albright broke out with 118 tackles and two sacks, setting the record for most defensive tackles in a season.{{cite web|title=Regular Season Individual Records|url=https://www.cfl.ca/uploads/assets/CFL/PDF_Docs/2011/Individual_Record_Book_2011.pdf|website=CFL.ca|access-date=May 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116183013/http://www.cfl.ca/uploads/assets/CFL/PDF_Docs/2011/Individual_Record_Book_2011.pdf|archive-date=January 16, 2015}} Albright continued to play a major role the following season with 92 tackles and five sacks.
Albright's 1989 season was hampered by injuries. In July, he pulled his leg muscles.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Brian|title=Lions hope to stand Roughies on their ear|work=Globe and Mail|date=July 18, 1989|page=CP}} He broke his left hand later in the season, but continued playing in a cast until he also broke his right arm. Albright's arm required surgery and he missed six games. While recovering, Albright also had knee surgery to remove damaged cartilage that had bothered him since the first game of the season.{{cite news|last1=Hunter|first1=Paul|title=Rebuilt 'Rider feels 'real good' Injuries made it season of pain for linebacker Dave Albright|work=Toronto Star|date=November 24, 1989|page=D4}} He returned in time for the playoffs and contributed to the Roughriders' championship run. In the West semifinal, Albright intercepted Calgary Stampeders quarterback Danny Barrett.{{cite news|last1=Strachan|first1=Al|title=Walling surprise stumps Stamps|work=Globe and Mail|date=November 13, 1989|page=GAM}} He also recovered a fumble for a 62-yard touchdown in the West final and was credited by Toronto Star reporter Paul Hunter with "turn[ing] the momentum" against the Edmonton Eskimos in the 32–21 upset. The Roughriders went on to win the 77th Grey Cup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43–40.{{cite news|last1=Vanstone|first1=Rob|title=Saskatchewan always wins the hard way; Underdogs overcome the odds|work=Leader-Post|date=November 23, 2013|page=I17}} Albright ended the regular season with 79 tackles.
In the 1990 season, Albright again missed substantial time due to injury after requiring foot surgery.{{cite news|last1=Matsumoto|first1=Rick|title=Tiger-Cats need to beat Riders to boost flagging attendance|work=Toronto Star|date=August 7, 1990|page=D4}} He ended the season with 44 tackles after playing in eleven regular season games. Albright made 44 tackles and one sack across nine games in 1991 before retiring.
Death
Albright died of a heart attack on January 26, 2023, the day after his 63rd birthday.[https://leaderpost.com/sports/football/cfl/saskatchewan-roughriders/former-saskatchewan-roughriders-linebacker-dave-albright-dies-at-63 Former Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Dave Albright dies at 63]
= Season statistics =
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{77th Grey Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Albright, Dave}}
Category:San Jose State Spartans football players
Category:Memphis Showboats players
Category:Saskatchewan Roughriders players
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Canadian football linebackers
Category:Players of American football from Oakland, California
Category:Players of Canadian football from Oakland, California