David Harold Widell, Jr. (born May 14, 1965 in Hartford, Connecticut) is a former American football guard and tackle who played 11 seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Atlanta Falcons. He was a part of the Atlanta Falcons' Super Bowl XXXIII losing team. Widell played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | May 14, 1965 Hartford, Connecticut |
| Career information | |
| College: | Boston College |
| Position: | Center, Tackle |
| NFL draft: | 1988 / round: 4 / pick: 94 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Roster status: | Retired |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Player stats at PFR | |
Early years
Widell originally played the trombone in his High School band. In football he didn't start at until his junior year. He also was the center for the basketball team.
He accepted a scholarship to play at Boston College, where he was a three-year starter and played multiple positions along the offensive line, before settling in at right tackle. He also was the team's long snapper in special teams. In 2003, he was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame.[1]
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Widell was drafted in the 4th round (94th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. As a rookie he started 8 games at left tackle. In his second year he started in 2 games.[2]
On August 24, 1990, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a seventh round draft choice in 1991 and an eight round draft selection in 1992. The Cowboys drafted Leon Lett with the seventh round draft choice.
Denver Broncos
With the Denver Broncos, he joined his brother Doug Widell (who was also his teammate at Boston College), becoming the first brothers in the NFL's modern era to play together on the same offensive line. He played at guard, tackle and center.
Jacksonville Jaguars
On March 15, 1995, he signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was named the franchise's first starting center.[3]
Atlanta Falcons
He signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons in 1998.[4] He was released on February 17, 1999, after being inactive in 14 games and having played in only one.[5]
References
- ^ http://www.bceagles.com/genrel/072903aaa.html
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19900825&id=CoVSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jDYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3585,4938852
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19950316&id=bjUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yQcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1149,121514
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=392&dat=19980722&id=xmZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Tz8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6203,3058468
- ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19990218&id=T2owAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MTUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6873,4949455