Vince Albritton Explained

Vince Albritton
Number:36
Position:Safety
Birth Date:July 23, 1962
Birth Place:Oakland, California, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:215
High School:McClymonds
(Oakland, California)
College:Washington
Undraftedyear:1984
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Interceptions
Statvalue1:1
Statlabel2:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue2:7
Statlabel3:Sacks
Statvalue3:3.0
Pfr:AlbrVi20

Vince Denader Albritton (born July 23, 1962) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Washington.

Early life

Albritton attended McClymonds High School, where he focused mainly on baseball. As a senior in football, he set a school record with 8 interceptions, received All-OAL honors and helped his team win the Oakland Athletic League.

He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Washington. He played in the same defensive backfield with future NFL players Vince Newsome and Ray Horton. He became a starter at strong safety until his senior season and led the secondary in tackles.

Professional career

Albritton was selected by the Philadelphia Stars in the sixteenth round (329th overall) of the 1984 USFL Draft. Although he wasn't selected in the 1984 NFL draft, he opted to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys. As a rookie, he was first tried at linebacker before being moved to strong safety.

On August 20, 1985, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a pulled hamstring he injured in the preseason, returning later in the season to play linebacker in the last 7 games.[1] The next year, he was moved back to safety and played linebacker only in passing situations, registering 42 tackles and 2 fumble recoveries.

In 1987, he posted 35 tackles, with 11 coming in the last game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He also was named the Cowboys special teams player of the year.

In 1988, he suffered a bruised left thigh in the preseason game against the Oakland Raiders and was placed on the injured reserve list until October 28. During the season he injured his right thigh and missed 2 additional contests. He played in six games, making 18 tackles and 2 sacks.[2]

Albritton was mainly used as a special teams player until 1989, when he earned the starting strong safety job over Bill Bates and finished with 111 tackles (third on the team), 4 passes defensed, 5 quarterback pressures, one interception and 2 forced fumbles.

The next year after starting 8 games at strong safety and being on track to register career-high numbers, he suffered a bruise right quad and was placed on the injured reserve list on November 29.[3] He led the secondary with 63 tackles, including 16 against the New York Giants. He also had 6 passes defensed and 2 fumble recoveries.

Albritton was waived on August 26, 1991,[4] only to be re-signed one day later.[5] After suffering a broken left forearm, he was placed on the injured reserve list on October 11.[6] He was released on July 8, 1992.[7]

Injuries affected his career, after being able to play in only 3 full seasons.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Transactions . April 21, 2018.
  2. Web site: Pelluer Still No.1 Despite Off Night . April 21, 2018.
  3. Web site: Transactions . April 21, 2018.
  4. Web site: Transactions . April 21, 2018.
  5. Web site: Dallas Reclaims Stoudt, Albritton, Dixon . April 21, 2018.
  6. Web site: Transactions . April 21, 2018.
  7. Web site: Dallas waives Albritton . April 21, 2018.