Tommy Haynes (American football) explained

Number:27
Position:Safety
Birth Date:6 February 1963
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:190
High School:Covina (CA)
College:USC
Undraftedyear:1985
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:3
Pfr:HaynTo20

Thomas Walton Haynes (born February 6, 1963) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Portland Breakers in the United States Football League (USFL). He played college football at the University of Southern California.

Early life

Haynes attended Covina High School, where he was two-way player at defensive back and wide receiver. He received All-San Gabriel Valley honors as a senior. He also practiced baseball and basketball.

He enrolled at Mt. San Antonio College for two years. He transferred to the University of Southern California after his sophomore season. As a junior, he was named a starter at cornerback, tallying one interception.

As a senior, he led the team with 5 interceptions.[1] In the 1985 Rose Bowl against Ohio State University, he contributed to the 20-17 win by making 2 interceptions.[2] [3]

Professional career

Portland Breakers (USFL)

Haynes was selected by the Los Angeles Express of the United States Football League in the 1985 USFL Territorial Draft.[4] On February 21, he signed with the Portland Breakers. He started 12 games at safety, making one interception.[5]

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

In July 1985, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys. He was released after the second preseason game on August 19.[6] In 1986, he was re-signed and placed on the injured reserve list with a thumb injury on August 26. He was cut midway through the season.

Los Angeles Rams

In 1987, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Rams. He was released on September 1.[7]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Haynes was signed to be a part of the Dallas replacement team that was given the mock name "Rhinestone Cowboys" by the media.[8] He started all 3 games at strong safety, making 23 tackles, 3 interceptions (led the team), 6 passes defensed (led the team) and 3 sacks (tied for the team lead). He led the team with 8 tackles, 2 sacks and one interception against the New York Jets.[9] He had 2 interceptions and one sack against the Washington Redskins. He was cut on October 26, at the end of the strike.[10]

In 1988, he was re-signed to participate in training camp. He was released on August 8.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WSU's Mayes, Lynch, Rypien voted to all-conference team . January 12, 2023.
  2. News: USC smells the roses again, 20-17 . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington) . Associated Press . January 2, 1985 . B1 . January 12, 2023.
  3. Web site: Roommates : Hope, Haynes Corner the Market on Trojans' Three Interceptions . . 2 January 1985 . January 12, 2023.
  4. Web site: Express Picks All Four USC Linebackers . . 4 January 1985 . January 12, 2023.
  5. Web site: Haynes keeps showing receivers the hard light . 4 August 1988 . January 12, 2023.
  6. Web site: Transactions . 20 August 1985 . January 12, 2023.
  7. Web site: Rams : Club Gives Up on Hunter, Drops Linebacker Busick . . 2 September 1987 . January 12, 2023.
  8. News: Who's playing today and for whom. Lakeland Ledger. October 4, 1987.
  9. Web site: T.J. Watt becomes just third player to record 2 sacks, INT in NFL debut . 10 September 2017 . January 12, 2023.
  10. News: Transactions . The New York Times . 27 October 1987 . January 12, 2023.
  11. News: Transactions . . January 12, 2023.