Position: | Safety |
Number: | 25, 26 |
Birth Date: | 24 January 1966 |
Birth Place: | Camilla, Georgia, U.S. |
Draftyear: | 1988 |
Draftround: | 9 |
Draftpick: | 244 |
College: | Eastern Kentucky |
Teams: | |
Highlights: |
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Statlabel1: | Interceptions |
Statvalue1: | 2 |
Statlabel2: | Sacks |
Statvalue2: | 1 |
Statlabel3: | Fumble recoveries |
Statvalue3: | 7 |
Pfr: | CopeDa20 |
Danny Lamar Copeland[1] (born January 24, 1966) is a former American football defensive back who played five seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He started in Super Bowl XXVI for the Washington Redskins.
He played college football at Eastern Kentucky University.[2]
Copeland was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the ninth round of the 1988 NFL Draft with the 244th overall pick.[3] The lone touchdown of his career came in a 1992 game against the Dallas Cowboys, when he recovered a fumble in the end zone with about three minutes left in the game, giving the Redskins a 20–17 win.[4] Copeland surprised the Redskins by announcing his retirement before the 1994 season despite the fact that he had started 14 games and recorded 125 tackles the previous season.[5] He stated injuries and reduced desire to play as the reasons for his retirement at the age of 28.[5] He had 327 tackles and two interceptions in his three seasons as a Redskin.[5]
Since retiring from football, Copeland moved back to Georgia and founded COGI Athletic Company, Inc. He is also a motivational speaker.[6]