Don Carey (cornerback)

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Don Carey

| image = Don Carey.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Carey in 2014 with the Lions

| current_team =

| number = 22, 31, 32, 26, 21

| position = Safety

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|2|14}}

| birth_place = Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lbs = 192

| high_school = Booker T. Washington
(Norfolk, Virginia)

| college = Norfolk State

| draftyear = 2009

| draftround = 6

| draftpick = 177

| pastteams =

Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2009}})*
Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2009}}–{{NFL Year|2010}})
Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2011}}−{{NFL Year|2017}})
Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2018}})

| status =

| highlights =

2× Second-team All-MEAC (2007, 2008)

| statweek =

| statseason =

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 190

| statlabel2 = Pass deflections

| statvalue2 = 8

| statlabel3 = Interceptions

| statvalue3 = 3

| statlabel4 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue4 = 3

| statlabel5 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue5 = 2

| statlabel6 = Defensive touchdowns

| statvalue6 = 1

| pfr = CareDo00

}}

Don Juan Carey III (born February 14, 1987) is a former American football safety. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL draft. He played college football at Norfolk State. He was also a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions.

Carey was later elected to the Chesapeake, Virginia city council. In 2024, Don Carey also decided to run as a Democratic candidate for mayor of Chesapeake, VA, against the current Republican mayor, Rick West.

Early life

Prior to attending Norfolk State, Carey went to Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia.[http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/don-carey?id=81809 Don Carey] NFL.com combine profile

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 5

| height in = 11

| weight = 197

| dash = 4.48

| ten split = 1.59

| twenty split = 2.69

| shuttle = 4.20

| cone drill = 6.87

| vertical = 32+1/2

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 2

| bench = 18

| wonderlic =

| arm span =

| hand span =

| note = All values from the NFL Combine/Norfolk State's Pro Day{{cite web| title=NFL Draft Profile: Don Carey| url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/don-carey?id=81809| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=NFL.com}}

}}

=Cleveland Browns=

The Cleveland Browns selected Carey in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2009 NFL draft. He was the 24th cornerback drafted in 2009.{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

On July 14, 2009, the Browns signed Carey to a four-year, $1.86 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $116,750.{{cite web| title=Spotrac.com: Don Carey contract| url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/don-carey-8567/| website=spotrac.com}}

Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Hank Poteat, Corey Ivy, Gerard Lawson, and Coye Francies.{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart: 07/01/2009| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/38/CLE| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=Ourlads.com}} On August 6, 2009, the Cleveland Browns waived Carey due to a shoulder injury.{{cite web| title=CB Don Carey: Waived/Injured| url=https://247sports.com/nfl/browns/Article/CB-Don-Carey-WaivedInjured-104632975| accessdate=August 6, 2008| author=McBride, Barry}}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

=Jacksonville Jaguars (first stint)=

On August 7, 2009, the Jacksonville Jaguars claimed Carey off of waivers.{{cite web| title=Jaguars Claim CB Don Carey Off Waivers| url=https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2009/8/8/981975/jaguars-claim-cb-don-carey-off| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=bigcatcountry.com| date=August 8, 2009}} The Jacksonville Jaguars were criticized for claiming Carey as it was expected the Browns would've placed him on injured reserve after clearing waivers.{{cite web| title=Jags complete "snatch-and-stash" move with Don Carey| url=https://www.profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/01/jags-complete-snatch-and-stash-move-with-don-carey/| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=profootballtalk.nbcsports.com| author=Rosenthal, Greg| archive-date=July 20, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720170711/http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/09/01/jags-complete-snatch-and-stash-move-with-don-carey/| url-status=dead}} On September 1, 2009, the Jaguars placed him on injured reserve due to his shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

During training camp in 2010, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Tyron Brackenridge, William Middleton, Scotty McGee, Josh Gordy, and Chris Hawkins.{{cite web| title=Ourlads.com: Jacksonville Jaguars' Depth Chart: 07/01/2010| url=http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/archive/109/JAX| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=Ourlads.com}}{{cite web| title=Don Carey: Worth a Roster Spot?| url=https://www.bigcatcountry.com/2010/8/31/1661976/don-carey-worth-a-roster-spot| accessdate=May 1, 2018| website=bigcatcountry.com| author=Stites, Adam| date=August 31, 2010}}

Carey was waived by the Jaguars prior to the start of the 2011 season.[https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/44342/jacksonville-jaguars-cutdown-analysis-2 Jacksonville Jaguars cutdown analysis]

=Detroit Lions (first stint)=

The Detroit Lions signed Carey on October 25, 2011. He was released on August 20, 2012, and was re-signed on November 1, 2012 after Bill Bentley was placed on injured reserve. He saw action in nine games (six starts), providing an immediate impact on defense and special teams, totaling 12 special teams tackles (10 solo) to go along with his 27 tackles (19 solo) on defense.

In 2013, Carey was a versatile option at nickel and a source of stability to the Lions secondary and special teams coverage unit. Totaled 19 tackles (16 solo), two pass defenses and finished second on the team in special teams tackles with 11 (eight solo). He had a breakout performance at Pittsburgh on November 17 where he started at linebacker and had a career-high nine tackles.

In 2014, Carey missed only three games due to a hamstring injury, and started three of his 13 games. He finished the season with seven tackles (six solo), one fumble recovery and five special teams tackles. On January 10, 2014, Carey signed a three-year contract extension with the Lions.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/112509/reports-lions-sign-carey-to-extension|title=Reports: Lions sign Carey to extension|date=January 10, 2014|access-date=January 9, 2016|first=Michael|last=Rothstein}}

In 2015, Carey led the NFL in solo special teams tackles with 14, and tied for second in total special teams tackles with 16. He recorded a special teams tackle in 11 of the 16 games during the season.

And in 2016, Carey was nominated as the Lions's Walter Payton Man of the Year, including for his contribution to "Athletes for Charity [working] to install a youth literacy program at two Detroit area schools, with a focus on STEM — a curriculum centered around science, technology, engineering and mathematics."{{cite web|title=Don Carey gets Lions' nod for Waltor Payton honor|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2016/10/14/don-carey-gets-lions-nod-waltor-payton-honor/92069160/|author=Rogers, Justin|website=detroitnews.com|date=October 14, 2016}}

Carey signed a one-year contract extension with the Lions through 2017 on November 16, 2016.{{cite web|title=Lions sign Don Carey to extension through 2017 season|url=http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2016/11/16/13649832/lions-sign-don-carey-to-extension-through-2017-season|author=Mathews, Ryan|website=PrideofDetroit.com|date=November 16, 2016}}

=Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)=

On March 14, 2018, Carey signed with the Jaguars.{{cite web|title=OFFICIAL: Carey signs|url=http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/OFFICIAL-Carey-signs/2fde586d-9a9f-4672-88f7-d4c644c8bd9c|website=Jaguars.com|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315173520/http://www.jaguars.com/news/article-JaguarsNews/OFFICIAL-Carey-signs/2fde586d-9a9f-4672-88f7-d4c644c8bd9c|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=dead}} He was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2018 due to a hamstring injury.{{cite web|title=Jaguars Sign Linebacker Nick DeLuca|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/jaguars-sign-linebacker-nick-deluca|website=Jaguars.com|date=August 21, 2018}} He was released on August 28, 2018.

=Detroit Lions (second stint)=

On November 20, 2018, Carey was signed by the Lions, only to be released three days later.{{cite web|title=Lions sign free agent S Don Carey|url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-sign-free-agent-s-don-carey|website=DetroitLions.com|date=November 20, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Lions announce Cooper acquisition, waive Don Carey|url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2018/11/23/lions-announce-cooper-acquisition-waive-don-carey/|work=Lions Wire|publisher=USA Today|date=November 23, 2018}}

Personal life

Carey announced he would retire from the NFL and would move to Chesapeake, Virginia on April 27, 2019,{{cite web|title=Lions notes: Don Carey retires after 10 seasons in NFL|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2019/4/18/18485692/detroit-lions-don-carey-retires-after-10-seasons-nfl|author=Reisman, Jeremy|website=prideofdetroit.com|date=April 18, 2019}} where he lives with his wife, Lakeisha, an attorney,{{cite web|title=FEATURED WAG LAKEISHA CAREY: The Transition from Litigating in Court to being a Wife, Mother, Ministry Leader, Philanthropist, and Author|url=https://www.wagsredefined.com/blog/2016/11/10/featured-wag-lakeisha-carey-how-a-childrens-attorney-made-her-transition-to-wife-and-mother|author=Williams, Valeria|website=wagsredefined.com|date=November 11, 2016}} and their three children. During Carey's stint in the NFL, he and his wife established the REECH Foundation—Reaching, Educating and Empowering Our Children—and now operate it out of the Tidewater region of Virginia, where they reside. The Foundation is focused on "STEM [Education] (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), physical wellbeing, health, social and moral responsibility along with vocational and collegiate preparation."{{Cite web|url=https://reechfoundation.org/about|title=About – the REECH Foundation}}

Don's younger brother Donte played defensive back for Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Allendale, Michigan.

Political career

Carey ran for and won a seat on the Chesapeake, Virginia city council in 2020. The race was non-partisan and Carey was listed as an independent. Carey placed first in a field of seven candidates and was sworn into office on July 1.

{{cite web|title= Ex-NFL player Don Carey elected to Chesapeake council, ousting longtime councilman Dwight Parker |url= https://www.pilotonline.com/government/elections/vp-nw-elx20-chesapeake-election-results-20200520-vabdplljmvcwtnrzxaww6kxmey-story.html|author= Rago, Gordon |website= pilotonline.com|date=May 20, 2020}}{{cite web|title=2020 City Council General Election Chesapeake City |url=https://historical.elections.virginia.gov/elections/view/139714/ |website=Virginia Department of Elections |access-date=2 December 2020}}

Carey announced his run for Mayor of Chesapeake, Virginia on March 24, 2024. The race is non-partisan but Carey, who was previously endorsed by the local Republican party, switched parties and is now endorsed by the local Democratic Party.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-24 |title=Chesapeake council member switches parties in bid to unseat mayor in nonpartisan race |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/03/24/chesapeake-council-member-switches-parties-in-bid-to-unseat-mayor-in-nonpartisan-race/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}} Carey lost to the incumbent mayor.