A two-sport letterman at Bryan Adams High School in football and track & field, Doug English was a standout defensive lineman for the Cougars. As a senior, a late growth spurt along with spectacular play on the gridiron caught the eye of the University of Texas coaching staff. An all-district performer for a team which finished 9-1 in 1970, English parlayed that success into a scholarship offer from the Longhorns.
Once English arrived in Austin, he continued to grow into a dominant force as he earned All-SWC honors following a pair of Southwest Conference (SWC) titles in 1972 and ’73. He capped off his career in fine fashion following the 1974 campaign with a spot on the UPI/AP All-American team in addition to earning team MVP honors.
English was drafted in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and embarked on a 10-year professional career which was highlighted by 59 quarterback sacks. He is tied for the NFL record for career safeties (4) and was named an All-Pro on three occasions in addition to four Pro Bowl selections. English was named to the UT Hall of Honor in 1986, Texas High School Hall of Fame in ’97, College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2104, and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
English is an advocate for spinal cord research with his involvement in various foundations over the years and has also designed a piece of football training equipment called PowerDrive. English will be among the Dallas ISD Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees celebrated at the induction ceremony on April 26 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
