Larry Dean (born August 7, 1988) is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2011.[1] He played college football at Valdosta State. Dean was also a member of the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
 Dean with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 7, 1988 Tifton, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Tifton (GA) Tift Co. | ||||||||
| College: | Valdosta State | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2011 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| As an administrator: | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Career CFL statistics | |||||||||
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College career
editIn college, Dean helped lead the Blazers to the 2007 NCAA Division II national championship as just a freshman.[citation needed]
Professional career
editMinnesota Vikings
editAfter waiting out an NFL lockout in 2011, Dean graduated from Valdosta State and signed his free agent rookie contract with the Minnesota Vikings on the same day.[1] He was the only undrafted free agent to make the Vikings' roster in 2011.[1] Dean played three seasons in Minnesota, playing in all 48 regular season games and one playoff appearance. In 2012, Dean was one of only 11 special teams players on the NFC’s Pro Bowl ballot. He contributed with 26 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Buffalo Bills
edit
Following his departure from the Minnesota Vikings Dean signed with the Buffalo Bills for the 2014 season. Dean played in 13 games for the Bills in 2014, recording seven tackles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
editDean briefly joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but did not make an appearance for the team.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (first stint)
editAfter five seasons in the NFL Dean joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). In his first season in the CFL Dean made an immediate impact. He played in all 18 regular season games, amassing 78 defensive tackles, two sacks and a interception. Over the following two seasons Dean was named a CFL East All-Star in each season contributing with 201 tackles, three quarterback sacks and two interceptions.
Edmonton Eskimos
editOn the first day of free agency Dean signed with the Edmonton Eskimos.[2] In his lone season in Edmonton Dean once again played in all 18 regular season games recording 86 tackles and one sack. He was the unanimous selection for the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player.[3]
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (second stint)
editOn February 11, 2020, Larry Dean and the Tiger-Cats agreed to reunite for another season.[4] However the 2020 season was cancelled and Dean was not re-signed by the Tiger-Cats.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
editOn February 9, 2021, he was signed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.[5] On July 8, 2021, Dean tore his Achilles' tendon in a workout ahead of training camp.[6] He was placed on the injured list on July 14.[7] Dean missed the entire 2021 season because of the injury. Dean was re-signed by the Riders on February 3, 2022.[8] Dean had an outstanding season in 2022, eclipsing 100 defensive tackles for the second time in his career.. He also contributed with three sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. On February 8, 2023, Dean and the Riders agreed on another contract extension.[9]
On February 13, 2024, he became a free agent. On March 7, 2024, Dean retired and became the Roughriders’ player personnel coordinator in football operations.[10]
Personal life
editLocal residents petitioned the mayor of Tifton to erect signs in honor of Dean.[11] A sign was later erected that says "Welcome to Tifton, Hometown of NFL Linebacker Larry Dean."[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Vikings might have found a gift in rookie linebacker Larry Dean". twincities.com. August 30, 2011.
- ^ "Former Ticats Unamba, Dean anchor new-look Eskimos defence". CFL.ca. April 19, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ "CFL announces 2019 team award winners". October 30, 2019.
- ^ "Dean of Tigertown: Larry Dean returns to Hamilton". CFL.ca. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ "Linebacker Larry Dean Joins The Green And White". Saskatchewan Roughriders. February 9, 2021.
- ^ Ateyero, Adeoluwa (July 9, 2021). "Saskatchewan Roughriders lose 4 players to injury on same day before training camp begins". CBC.ca. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "2021 CFL Transactions". CFL.ca. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ TSN ca Staff (February 3, 2022). "Roughriders sign LB Dean to contract extension - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
- ^ 3Down Staff (February 7, 2023). "Dean of defence: Saskatchewan Roughriders re-sign LB Larry Dean". 3DownNation. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "LARRY DEAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT, JOINS RIDERS AS PLAYER PERSONNEL COORDINATOR". cfl.ca. March 7, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^ "Local resident requests signage honoring Tifton native Dean". tiftongazette.com. July 24, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ Ford, Latasha (November 22, 2015). "Native son Dean honored with signage". tiftongazette.com. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
External links
edit- Saskatchewan Roughriders profile
Media related to Larry Dean at Wikimedia Commons
