Duane Bickett
{{Short description|American football player (born 1962)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Duane Bickett
| number = 50
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1962|12|1}}
| birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 251
| high_school = Glendale (Glendale, California)
| college = USC
| draftyear = 1985
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 5
| pastteams =
- Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1985|1993}})
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|1994|1995}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|1996}})
| highlights =
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1985)
- Second-team All-Pro (1987)
- Pro Bowl (1987)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (1985)
- Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year (1984)
- First-team All-American (1984)
- First-team All-Pac-10 (1984)
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 1,079
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 53.0
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 9
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 14
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 9
| pfr = BickDu00
}}
Duane Clair Bickett (born December 1, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers. Bickett played college football for the USC Trojans.
Early life
Duane Bickett was born on December 1, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. He attended Glendale High School where he played high school football, basketball, and baseball.{{cite news |last1=Florence |first1=Mal |title=Bickett Stands Up for the Defense |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-bickett-stands-up/150109003/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 21, 1983}} Bickett was a standout player in basketball and football. As a senior on the basketball team, he helped lead Glendale to a 2-A CIF state title. He was named the CIF 2-A Co-Player of the Year and earned All-CIF First-team honors while averaging 18.0 points per game.{{cite news |title=All-CIF boys basketball team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ventura-county-star-all-cif-boys-basketb/150041528/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Ventura County Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 1, 1981}} The Los Angeles Times also named Bickett as their player of the year.{{cite news |last1=Coradi |first1=Tony |title=Glendale Has Times' Top Cager, Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-glendale-has-times/150041395/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=March 29, 1981}}
In football, Bickett played on both offense and defense as a tight end and defensive end.{{cite news |last1=Holley |first1=David |title=Final Reckoning: It's Football 'Big Game' Week in Glendale and Burbank |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-final-reckoning-i/150042061/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=November 9, 1980}} As a senior, Bickett caught 47 passes for 581 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named to the Los Angeles Times All-Star team as an offensive selection, where his Glendale team finished in first in the Foothill League.{{cite news |title=All-Stars: Top Teams Dominate Picks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-all-stars-top-tea/150048544/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 14, 1980}} Bickett received a football scholarship to attend the University of Southern California (USC).{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Chris |title=UCLA Signs 21 Football Players; USC Runs Total to 30 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-ucla-signs-21-foot/150105420/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 20, 1981}}
College career
Bickett played college football at USC from 1982 to 1984. Bickett was first recruited as a tight end before being converted to a linebacker prior to his sophomore year.
As a sophomore in 1982, Bickett was used as a backup linebacker. He recorded 31 tackles and three interceptions for the Trojans as they finished 8–3 on the season with a final #15 ranking in the AP poll.{{cite web |title=1982 USC Trojans Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1982.html |website=Sports Reference CFB |access-date=June 25, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Florence |first1=Mal |title=USC Will Give Tim Green a Chance at Quarterback |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-usc-will-give-tim/150108768/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=April 14, 1983}}
In 1983, Bickett earned a starting role as a defensive end, although he did not play in a traditional three-point lineman stance. Bickett played as a third outside linebacker alongside fellow junior Jack Del Rio and senior Keith Browner. Bickett had a productive year, leading USC with 105 tackles and adding two interceptions.{{cite news |last1=Graswich |first1=R.E. |title=USC Steamed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-usc-steamed/150162866/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Sacramento Bee |via=Newspapers.com |date=August 30, 1984}}{{cite web |title=1983 USC Trojans Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-california/1983.html |website=Sports Reference CFB |access-date=June 27, 2024}} Despite spraining is knee in a mid-season loss against Arizona State, Bickett came back the following week against rivals Notre Dame.{{cite news |last1=Florence |first1=Mal |title=Sun Devils Burn Trojans, 34-14 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-sun-devils-burn-tr/150161942/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 16, 1983}} Bickett earned both academic and athletic honors, being named to the 1983 Pac-10 Conference All-Academic Football Team, 1983 Pac-10 All-Conference Honorable Mention, and 1983 Academic All-America Second-Team.{{cite news |title=Pac-10 All-Academic Football Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkeley-gazette-pac-10-all-academic/150162181/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Berkley Gazette |via=Newspapers.com |date=November 18, 1983}}{{cite news |title=College Scorecard |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/simi-valley-star-college-scorecard/150162364/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=Simi Valley Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=November 23, 1983}}{{cite news |title=Academic All-America |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-napa-valley-register-academic-all-am/150162607/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Napa Valley Register |via=Newspapers.com |date=December 15, 1983}} The season was disappointing for USC, who finished at 4–6–1.
In 1984, Bickett returned to his traditional linebacker spot as a senior and USC returned to form. Bickett had his best collegiate season, with 151 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 pass deflections, and one interception.{{cite web |title=NFF National Scholar-Athletes: Duane Bickett |url=https://footballfoundation.org/hof_scholars.aspx?hof=473 |website=National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame |access-date=June 27, 2024}} USC went 9–3 on the year, winning the Pac-10 Conference Title with a key upset over #1-ranked Washington late in the season. Bickett was named the 1984 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-America First-Team, All-Pac-10 First-Team, and Academic All-America First-Team honors. The #18-ranked Trojans faced #6 Ohio State in the 1985 Rose Bowl, upsetting the Buckeyes 20–17.
Professional career
Bickett was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft with the fifth overall pick.{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/draft.htm |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He had a 12-year NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and Carolina Panthers.
=Indianapolis Colts (1985–1993)=
Bickett missed much of his rookie offseason due to a contract dispute.{{cite news |last1=Chappell |first1=Mike |title=Confident Bickett keeps improving |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-confident-bickett/150170117/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 19, 1986}} However, when he joined the team prior to the regular season opener he was an immediate starter and appeared in all 16 games at outside linebacker. Bickett had 30 tackles within the first four games, proving his worth as a top draft selection.{{cite news |last1=Rietmann |first1=Tom |title=USC gives Colts the 'B-brothers' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-usc-gives-colts-th/150165285/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis News |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 4, 1985}} Bickett's first NFL interception came in a week 5 thrashing of the Buffalo Bills. Bickett ran into the backfield and nearly sacked Buffalo quarterback Vince Ferragamo before throwing up his hands and catching an errant throw.{{cite news |last1=Collins |first1=Bob |title=Hi-yo Silver! Rapid-fire Colts gun down Buffalo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-hi-yo-silver-rapi/150165762/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 7, 1985}} His high production continued throughout the season, finishing the year with 141 total tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception.{{cite web |title=Duane Bickett |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BickDu00.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=June 27, 2024}} Bickett led the Colts in tackles and sacks and was selected to the 1985 PWFA NFL All-Rookie Team and was named the 1985 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
In 1986, Bickett had his highest career tackle total with 144 combined tackles and added five sacks, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Bickett again had a quick start to the season, totalling 62 tackles and two sacks in first six games. Bickett was named the Colts' most valuable player by the team and was an alternate at the 1986 Pro Bowl.{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Jim |title=Football isn't his only game |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-football-isnt-his/150183300/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis News |date=October 30, 1987}} Despite Bickett's positive play, the Colts started the season at 0-13 and finished at 3–13 after firing head coach Rod Dowhower and replacing him with Ron Meyer.{{cite web |title=1986 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1986.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=June 27, 2024}}
The 1987 season was interrupted by a player's strike. All week three games were cancelled and games during weeks four through six were contested using "replacement players." In his first game back after the strike ended, Bickett helped seal the win against the New England Patriots. In the third quarter, he sacked Tony Eason who fumbled. The ball was recovered by Colts defensive end Donnell Thompson who returned it for a touchdown. Bickett played in all 12 games not affected by the strike, posting 113 total tackles, a career-high eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was named to the 1987 Pro Bowl and earned a 1987 All-Pro Second-Team selection. The Colts won the AFC East Division with a 9–6 record, making their first playoff appearance since moving to Indianapolis. They lost in the Divisional Round to the Cleveland Browns.{{cite web |title=1987 Indianapolis Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1987.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=June 27, 2024}}
From 1988 to 1991, Bickett never recorded less than 100 combined tackles in a season. In the 1989 season, Bickett matched his career-high with eight sacks in addition to his 100 total tackles. Bickett and linebacker Jeff Herrod shared the Colts' team tackling lead throughout this era. In 1992, Bickett recorded 89 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
In 1993, Bickett's final season with the Colts, he was given the franchise tag increasing his salary to the average of the top five linebackers in the NFL. He posted 97 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Three of those sacks came in week four against the Cleveland Browns, where Bickett and the Colts stifled quarterbacks Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde on the way to a 23–10 victory.{{cite news |last1=Bansch |first1=John |title=Colts defense left Browns offense feeling a little blue |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-colts-defense-left/150226043/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 27, 1993}} Bickett was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week.{{cite news |title=Bickett wins AFC defensive honors |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-bickett-wins-afc-d/150226141/ |access-date=June 27, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis Star |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 30, 1993}}
Following a disappointing 4–12 season, the Colts sought to rebuild. The team cut several veteran players, including Bickett, on February 17, 1994.{{cite news |last1=Hutchens |first1=Terry |title=Colts trim roster with salary cap in mind |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-colts-trim-roster/150226294/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis News |via=Newspapers.com |date=February 18, 1994}}
=Seattle Seahawks (1994–1995)=
Bickett signed a two-year, $1.4 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks on June 22, 1994.{{cite news |title=Bickett agrees to Seahawks deal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-tribune-bickett-agrees-to-seaha/150226426/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The News Tribune |via=Newspapers.com |date=June 23, 1994}}
During his time with the Seahawks, Bickett served as a backup linebacker and special teams player.{{cite news |last1=Lowenkron |first1=Hank |title=Former Colt likes life better even on Seahawks' bench |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-former-colt-likes/150226724/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Bellingham Herald |date=Oct 2, 1994}} In 1994, he appeared in seven games with one start with eight tackles on the season. In 1995, he appeared in 15 games and recorded seven tackles.
=Carolina Panthers (1996)=
On April 25, 1996, Bickett signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.{{cite news |title=Panthers sign Bickett |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-panthers-sign-bick/150226915/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Bellingham Herald |via=Newspapers.com |date=April 26, 1996}} Bickett continued as a backup linebacker and special teamer, but contributed in all 16 games of the regular season. He finished the year with 12 tackles and two sacks.
In only their second year in the NFL, the Panthers went 12–4 in 1996. They won the NFC West Division and defeated the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round. Bickett had one assisted tackle against the Cowboys. In the 1996 NFC Championship Game, the Panthers lost to the eventual Super Bowl winning Green Bay Packers.{{cite web |title=1996 Carolina Panthers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/car/1996.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=June 28, 2024}}
Bickett left the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent following the 1996 season, effectively ending his career.
NFL statistics
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="3"| Fumbles ! colspan="3"| Interceptions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games Played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games Started}} | {{abbr|Tot|Total Combined Tackles}} | {{abbr|Solo|Solo Tackles}} | {{abbr|Ast|Assisted Tackles}} | {{abbr|Sk|Sacks}} | {{abbr|FF|Forced Fumbles}} | {{abbr|FR|Fumble Recoveries}} | {{abbr|Yds|Fumble Return Yards}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Interception Return Yards}} | {{abbr|TD|Interception Return Touchdowns}} | |
| 1985 | IND
| 16 || 16 || 141 || – || – || 6.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1986 | IND
| 16 || 16 || 144 || – || – || 5.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 10 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1987 | IND
| 12 || 12 || 113 || – || – || 8.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1988 | IND
| 16 || 16 || 126 || – || – || 3.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 || 7 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1989 | IND
| 16 || 16 || 100 || – || – || 8.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 6 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1990 | IND
| 15 || 15 || 117 || – || – || 4.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 9 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1991 | IND
| 16 || 16 || 125 || – || – || 5.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1992 | IND
| 15 || 15 || 89 || – || – || 6.5 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 14 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1993 | IND
| 15 || 15 || 97 || 63 || 21 || 3.5 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1994 | SEA
| 7 || 1 || 8 || 7 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1995 | SEA
| 15 || 0 || 7 || 5 || 2 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| 1996 | CAR
| 16 || 0 || 12 || 7 || 5 || 2.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BickDu00.htm Career] | 175 | 138 | 1,079 | 81 | 29 | 53.0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 46 | 0 |
Note: Solo and assisted tackles were not consistently tracked prior to the 1994 season.
Personal life
Bickett returned to California following his retirement from the NFL. He served as an assistant coach at Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, California.{{cite news |last1=Counts |first1=Ron |title=Former All-Pro linebacker helped Boise State’s leading tackler hone his skills |url=https://www.aol.com/former-pro-linebacker-helped-boise-100000747.html |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Idaho Statesman |publisher=AOL.com |date=October 12, 2023}}
Bickett's son, Louie Bickett, was a linebacker for the University of California.{{cite news |last1=McGill |first1=Jim |title=Bears' 2018 Class at 17 With Bickett's commitment |url=https://bearinsider.com/s/320/bears-2018-class-at-17-with-bicketts-commitment/2/last |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=Bear Insider |date=November 30, 2017}}
Following his graduation from high school, Bickett's parents moved to Australia. Bickett's brother, Don, played professional basketball in Australia in the National Basketball League.{{cite news |last1=Resnick |first1=Joe |title=Everyone but Glendale’s Duane Bickett Himeslf Said He Would Be Chosen High in the First Round of the Pro Football Draft--and They Were Right : Colts Make Trojan No.5 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-09-gl-7082-story.html |access-date=June 28, 2024 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=May 9, 1985}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Footballstats |nfl=duane-bickett |espn=7000 |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=B/BickDu00 |rotoworld= }}
{{Pac-12 Player of the Year}}
{{1985 NFL Draft}}
{{Indianapolis Colts 1985 draft navbox}}
{{ColtsFirstPick}}
{{AP Defensive Rookies of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bickett, Duane}}
Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Glendale High School (Glendale, California) alumni
Category:USC Trojans football players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:Carolina Panthers players