| Andre Young | |
| Number: | 49 |
| Position: | Defensive back |
| Birth Date: | 22 November 1960 |
| 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: | |
| Highlights: |
|
| Statlabel1: | Interceptions |
| Statvalue1: | 6 |
| Statlabel2: | Fumble recoveries |
| Statvalue2: | 4 |
| Statlabel3: | Touchdowns |
| Statvalue3: | 1 |
| Pfr: | YounAn20 |
Andre Benoise Young (born November 22, 1960) is a former professional American football player who played defensive back for two seasons for the San Diego Chargers[1]
While in middle school, Young played as a quarterback.[2] He attended West Monroe High School in West Monroe, Louisiana, where he played offensive tackle and some tight end on the football team.[2]
As a freshman at Louisiana Tech, Young played weakside linebacker.[2] He earned first-team all-Southland Conference honors as a sophomore in 1979 at defensive end.[3] [4] Young was moved to middle linebacker the following season and again earned a first-team all-conference selection.[3] [5] He changed positions once again as a senior; he was converted to a defensive back.[3]
Young was selected in the tenth round (273rd overall) by the San Diego Chargers in the 1982 NFL draft.[3] He started the preseason as the fifth-string strong safety.[3] 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.[3] He earned a spot on the Chargers' final roster.[6] 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."[7]
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.[8] It was both his first touchdown as a pro, and his first since high school.[8] In the 1984 season opener, Young recorded two interceptions to help the Chargers defeat the Minnesota Vikings, 42–13.[9] He was waived by the Chargers on July 9, 1985.[10]