Durwood Roquemore
Encyclopedia
Durwood Roquemore
Durwood Roquemore (born January 19, 1960 in Dallas, Texas
is a former American football
cornerback
in the National Football League
, United States Football League
, and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs
in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Texas A&M-Kingsville
.
Roquemore also played for the Buffalo Bills
, Houston Gamblers
, Chicago Bruisers
, Albany Firebirds, and Orlando Predators
.
at Texas A&M University–Kingsville
. While there he was a three year starter for the Javelinas and was named an All-American in 1980 and 1981. During his career he intercepted a school record 22 passes, including 10 his junior year, which was second in the nation. He was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2000.
in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL Draft
. He played two seasons for the Chiefs, starting 3 of 24 games, recording five interceptions for 134 yards and a touchdown
.
of the United States Football League
in 1985. After the season he retired to go into private industry.
of the Arena Football League. He finished the season recording 35 tackles
and two interceptions.
in 1987 to play for the Buffalo Bills
. During the season he started two of five games for the Bills.
in 1991, and would become one of the best players in AFL history. In six years with the Predators he recorded 290 tackles, and 30 interceptions.
In 1997 Roquemore was hired to be the defensive coordinator
for the Albany Firebirds and was hired for the same position by the Houston Thunderbirds in 1998 and 1999. In 1999 he became the head coach
for the Richmond Speed
and remained until 2000.
Durwood Roquemore (born January 19, 1960 in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
is a former American football
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...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
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...
, United States Football League
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
, and Arena Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL Draft
1982 NFL Draft
The 1982 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 27–28, 1982...
. 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 Texas A&M-Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries...
.
Roquemore also played for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Houston Gamblers
Houston Gamblers
The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
, Chicago Bruisers
Chicago Bruisers
The Chicago Bruisers were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the four-team "demonstration season" of 1987. They played their home games in the former Rosemont Horizon, now the Allstate Arena, home of the Chicago Rush.-History:...
, Albany Firebirds, and 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...
.
College career
Roquemore played college footballCollege 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 Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Texas A&M University–Kingsville is a U.S. national university with a multicultural student body that is 62 percent Hispanic and includes students from 35 states and 43 foreign countries...
. While there he was a three year starter for the Javelinas and was named an All-American in 1980 and 1981. During his career he intercepted a school record 22 passes, including 10 his junior year, which was second in the nation. He was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2000.
Kansas City Chiefs
Roquemore was drafted by the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL Draft
1982 NFL Draft
The 1982 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 27–28, 1982...
. He played two seasons for the Chiefs, starting 3 of 24 games, recording five interceptions for 134 yards and a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
.
Houston Gamblers
Roquemore played for the Houston GamblersHouston Gamblers
The Houston Gamblers were an American football team that competed in the United States Football League in 1984 and 1985. The Gamblers were coached by veteran NFL head coach Jack Pardee in both their seasons...
of the United States Football League
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
in 1985. After the season he retired to go into private industry.
First stint with Bruisers
After spending 1986 out of football, Roquemore came out of retirement to play for the Chicago BruisersChicago Bruisers
The Chicago Bruisers were a charter member of the Arena Football League, playing in the four-team "demonstration season" of 1987. They played their home games in the former Rosemont Horizon, now the Allstate Arena, home of the Chicago Rush.-History:...
of the Arena Football League. He finished the season recording 35 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....
and two interceptions.
Buffalo Bills
Roquemore returned to the National Football LeagueNational 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...
in 1987 to play for the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. During the season he started two of five games for the Bills.
Second stint with Bruisers
Roquemore returned to the Bruisers in 1988. Roquemore had a strong season, recording 72 tackles, 11 interceptions and a touchdown.Albany Firebirds
In 1990 Roquemore played for the Albany Firebirds of the AFL. During the season he had 30 tackles and seven interceptions.Orlando Predators
Roquemore joined the Orlando PredatorsOrlando 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...
in 1991, and would become one of the best players in AFL history. In six years with the Predators he recorded 290 tackles, and 30 interceptions.
Retirement
After the 1996 season Roquemore retired from professional football. He finished his AFL career with 427 tackles, 50 interceptions, and a touchdown. In 1996 he was selected to the Arena Football Leagues Tenth Anniversary Team and in 1999 he was elected to the Arena Football League Hall of Fame. He has the distinction of being the only player in Arena Football League history to be named First-Team All Arena five times.In 1997 Roquemore was hired to be the defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
for the Albany Firebirds and was hired for the same position by the Houston Thunderbirds in 1998 and 1999. In 1999 he became the head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
for the Richmond Speed
Richmond Speed
The Richmond Speed were one of the original 15 teams to join the inaugural 2000 AF2 season. They started off in the American Conference in 2000, before going over to the Northeast Division in 2001, then to the Atlantic Division from 2002-2003. In 2000, Richmond went 7-9 and missed the playoffs. ...
and remained until 2000.