Darion Conner
Encyclopedia
Darion Conner is a former American
/ arena football
linebacker
in the National Football League
and the Arena Football League. He played for eight seasons in the NFL, from 1990–1997 and seven seasons (1999–2005) in the AFL. He was drafted
in the second round (28th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft
by the Atlanta Falcons
. He played college football
at Jackson State University
. He is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for DUI
-manslaughter
and Vehicular Homicide. However, in July 2008, an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial.
In his career, Conner has played for the New Orleans Saints
, Carolina Panthers
, Philadelphia Eagles
, Cleveland Browns
, and Tampa Bay Storm
. He is the highest NFL draft
pick to ever play for the Tampa Bay Storm.
and linebacker. He also lettered
in track and was second in the state in the 100 meters. He later attended Jackson State, where he was a First-team All-SWAC in his four seasons there. He was named the 1989 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and attended the Senior Bowl
, the East-West Shrine Game
, and the Blue-Gray Classic, of which he was named the defensive MVP. He was a three-year NCAA All-America selection and was named to the Kodak and Sheraton All-American teams.
by the Atlanta Falcons
. He played for the Falcons for four seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints
where he played for one season, which happened to be the best season of his career, he recorded 10.5 sacks
. He then went and played for the expannsion Carolina Panthers
. He was then signed on September 18, 1996 by the Philadelphia Eagles
. He played two seasons there before being signed on December 22, 1998, along with defensive back
Corey Dowden, as one of the original members of the "new" Cleveland Browns
. But was released on June 3, 1999. He never played in the NFL again after being released by the Browns.
of the Arena Football League on July 20. As a rookie
in 1999
, he played in the final two games of the season. He recorded a sack and two tackles
, in his first game, on the road against the San Jose SaberCats
on July 24. He was named Ironman of the Game in his second game, against the New England Sea Wolves. In that game he recorded his first touchdown in the AFL, a 23-yard screen pass.
In 2000
, his first full season in the AFL, Conner opened the season by sacking New England quarterback
Chad Salisbury
. On the play Conner also forced a fumble that led to a Storm touchdown. He missed five games during the season, but had a strong performance on July 1 against the Orlando Predators
, recording a career-high six tackles and recording 2.5 sacks in a win. He led the Storm in sacks on the season, he also recorded 15 total tackles.
In 2001
, Conner made his largest impact on defense for the Storm. He played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles, including three for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also broke up two passes and forced two fumbles. He tied for second on the team in sacks. As he did in the previous season, he recorded the first team sack of the season in the season opener against the Florida Bobcats
. On June 25 at Florida he returned Willie Wyatt
's blocked field goal
three yards for a touchdown. He forced fumbles in back-to-back games, on the road against the Grand Rapids Rampage
at home against the Carolina Cobras
.
In 2002
, Conner led the team with 3.5 tackles for loss, finishing the regular season with 10.5 total tackles and one sack. In at least two games on the season he played OL / DL.
In 2003
, Conner missed the first two games with an ankle
injury. He was placed on injured reserve
May 17, 2003. For the season, he recorded seven tackles (two solo), one carry for six yards.
In 2004
, Conner played in ten games and finished tied for second on the team with two sacks. He moved into ninth place on the Storm's career sacks list. He finished the season with 12 total tackles (ten solo), one pass break up, and one forced fumble.
In 2005
, Conner recorded one pass break up, before being arrested and charged with DUI-manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide.
, dead. A witness tesitfied at Conner's July 2005 trial, that just before 2 a.m. on September 4, 2004, Conner was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser
on Linebaugh Avenue. They also said that Conner's headlights were off when he first turned onto Linebaugh. He then turned them on but swerved across the road lines. The prosecution argued that Conner veered into the bike lane and struck Conklin.
Conner was convicted of DUI
-manslaughter
and Vehicular Homicide and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence, the maximum allowed punishment. However, in July 2008, an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
/ arena football
Arena football
Arena football is a variety of gridiron football played by the Arena Football League . It is a proprietary game, the rights to which are owned by Gridiron Enterprises, and is played indoors on a smaller field than American or Canadian outdoor football, resulting in a faster and higher-scoring game....
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and the Arena Football League. He played for eight seasons in the NFL, from 1990–1997 and seven seasons (1999–2005) in the AFL. He was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the second round (28th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft
1990 NFL Draft
The 1990 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1990...
by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Jackson State University
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
. He is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
-manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
and Vehicular Homicide. However, in July 2008, an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial.
In his career, Conner has played for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Tampa Bay Storm
Tampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
. He is the highest NFL draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
pick to ever play for the Tampa Bay Storm.
High school and college careers
In high school, Conner was a three year All-State selection as a fullbackFullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
and linebacker. He also lettered
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in track and was second in the state in the 100 meters. He later attended Jackson State, where he was a First-team All-SWAC in his four seasons there. He was named the 1989 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and attended the Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
, the East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
, and the Blue-Gray Classic, of which he was named the defensive MVP. He was a three-year NCAA All-America selection and was named to the Kodak and Sheraton All-American teams.
National Football League (1990–1999)
Conner was selected in the second round (28th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft1990 NFL Draft
The 1990 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 22–23, 1990...
by the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He played for the Falcons for four seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
where he played for one season, which happened to be the best season of his career, he recorded 10.5 sacks
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
. He then went and played for the expannsion Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. He was then signed on September 18, 1996 by the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He played two seasons there before being signed on December 22, 1998, along with defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Corey Dowden, as one of the original members of the "new" Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. But was released on June 3, 1999. He never played in the NFL again after being released by the Browns.
Arena Football League (1999–2005)
After being released by the Cleveland Browns, Conner signed with the Tampa Bay StormTampa Bay Storm
The Tampa Bay Storm are an Arena Football League team based in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. They play their home games in the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa....
of the Arena Football League on July 20. As a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
in 1999
1999 Arena Football League season
The 1999 Arena Football League season was the 13th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Albany Firebirds, who defeated the Orlando Predators in ArenaBowl XIII.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, he played in the final two games of the season. He recorded a sack and two tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, in his first game, on the road against the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
on July 24. He was named Ironman of the Game in his second game, against the New England Sea Wolves. In that game he recorded his first touchdown in the AFL, a 23-yard screen pass.
In 2000
2000 Arena Football League season
The 2000 Arena Football League season was the 14th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Orlando Predators, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XIV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, his first full season in the AFL, Conner opened the season by sacking New England quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Chad Salisbury
Chad Salisbury
Chad Thomas Salisbury is a former Arena Football League quarterback. He is currently the Quarterbacks and Wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Avengers.-High school and college careers:...
. On the play Conner also forced a fumble that led to a Storm touchdown. He missed five games during the season, but had a strong performance on July 1 against the Orlando Predators
Orlando Predators
The Orlando Predators are an Arena Football League team based in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1991. Their playoff streak is currently 19 seasons in a row, as of the season, becoming the ArenaBowl champions in 1998 and 2000...
, recording a career-high six tackles and recording 2.5 sacks in a win. He led the Storm in sacks on the season, he also recorded 15 total tackles.
In 2001
2001 Arena Football League season
The 2001 Arena Football League season was the 15th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Grand Rapids Rampage, who defeated the Nashville Kats in ArenaBowl XV.-Standings:* Green indicates clinched playoff berth...
, Conner made his largest impact on defense for the Storm. He played in 12 games and recorded 20 tackles, including three for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also broke up two passes and forced two fumbles. He tied for second on the team in sacks. As he did in the previous season, he recorded the first team sack of the season in the season opener against the Florida Bobcats
Florida Bobcats
The Florida Bobcats are a defunct Arena Football League team. They had been previously known as the Sacramento Attack and the Miami Hooters.-Sacramento Attack :...
. On June 25 at Florida he returned Willie Wyatt
Willie Wyatt
Willie Wyatt was an Arena Football League player who played offensive lineman/defensive lineman for the Detroit Drive in 1993 and the Tampa Bay Storm from 1995–1999, and again in 2001. He wore #55...
's blocked field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
three yards for a touchdown. He forced fumbles in back-to-back games, on the road against the Grand Rapids Rampage
Grand Rapids Rampage
The Grand Rapids Rampage was an Arena Football League team that began playing as a 1998 expansion team. They were coached by Steve Thonn.-History:...
at home against the Carolina Cobras
Carolina Cobras
Not to be confused with the Los Angeles Cobras, who played in the 1988 AFL season.The Carolina Cobras were an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League...
.
In 2002
2002 Arena Football League season
The 2002 Arena Football League season was the 16th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVI...
, Conner led the team with 3.5 tackles for loss, finishing the regular season with 10.5 total tackles and one sack. In at least two games on the season he played OL / DL.
In 2003
2003 Arena Football League season
The 2003 Arena Football League season was the 17th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Tampa Bay Storm, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVII. The AFL expanded its season to a 16-game schedule...
, Conner missed the first two games with an ankle
Ankle
The ankle joint is formed where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle, or talocrural joint, is a synovial hinge joint that connects the distal ends of the tibia and fibula in the lower limb with the proximal end of the talus bone in the foot...
injury. He was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
May 17, 2003. For the season, he recorded seven tackles (two solo), one carry for six yards.
In 2004
2004 Arena Football League season
The 2004 Arena Football League season was the 18th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the San Jose SaberCats, who defeated the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XVIII...
, Conner played in ten games and finished tied for second on the team with two sacks. He moved into ninth place on the Storm's career sacks list. He finished the season with 12 total tackles (ten solo), one pass break up, and one forced fumble.
In 2005
2005 Arena Football League season
The 2005 Arena Football League season was the 19th season of the Arena Football League. The league champions were the Colorado Crush, who defeated the Georgia Force in ArenaBowl XIX. The AFL changed its playoff format to allow the top four teams per conference to make the playoffs. Previously, the...
, Conner recorded one pass break up, before being arrested and charged with DUI-manslaughter and Vehicular Homicide.
Arrest and conviction
In 2005, Conner was arrested and convicted of DUI-manslaughter and Vehicular homicide, after a September 4, 2004 car accident left a bicyclist, Jonathan Michael Conklin, 32 of Carrollwood, FloridaCarrollwood, Florida
Carrollwood is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. Although a separate community, it is a part of the census-designated place of Greater Carrollwood. The ZIP code for the community is 33618...
, dead. A witness tesitfied at Conner's July 2005 trial, that just before 2 a.m. on September 4, 2004, Conner was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota Land Cruiser
The is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. It is not related to the Studebaker Land Cruiser car produced in the US from 1934-1954....
on Linebaugh Avenue. They also said that Conner's headlights were off when he first turned onto Linebaugh. He then turned them on but swerved across the road lines. The prosecution argued that Conner veered into the bike lane and struck Conklin.
Conner was convicted of DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
-manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
and Vehicular Homicide and is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence, the maximum allowed punishment. However, in July 2008, an appeals court ruled that he would be given a retrial.
External links
- Tampa Bay Storm bio
- Stats at ArenaFan
- Philadelphia Eagles profile at ESPN.comESPN.comESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
- Profile at Pro Football ReferencePro Football ReferencePro-Football-Reference.com is a website providing a variety of statistics for American football. It is notable for being one of the only sites that provides information on both active and retired players. The site provides statistics for teams dating back to the pre-Super Bowl days...
- Stats at Football Database