Career & Records — Darrell Green Experience 28

The career ledger

By the Numbers

0Official

Games Played

The most games ever played by an NFL defensive player at the time he retired — 20 seasons, never leaving the franchise.

0Official

Career Interceptions

The Washington franchise record — picks in 19 consecutive seasons, the longest such streak in NFL history.

0Official

Interception Return Yards

An 11.5-yard average per return, including an 83-yard pick-six against Philadelphia in 1997.

0Official

Interception Return TDs

Six defensive touchdowns off interceptions in the regular season, plus two more in the postseason.

0Official

Fumble Recoveries

Returned for 131 yards and two scores — including a franchise-record 78-yard fumble return in 1993.

0Official

Punt Return Yards

On 51 returns — nearly 12 yards a return — including the 52-yard playoff touchdown against the Bears.

0Unofficial

Career Tackles

A team-compiled total. Tackles were not an official NFL statistic for most of Green's era, so this figure is unofficial.

0Official

Seasons, One Team

Two full decades, one uniform, six different head coaches — from Joe Gibbs to Steve Spurrier.

The fastest man in football

Run the 4.09

In Washington's 1986 camp, a stopwatch reportedly caught Green at 4.09 seconds in the 40. Press start and watch the legend run.

NFL's Fastest Man

The 40-Yard Dash

Reported and unofficial — Green himself once called it "4.09-ish."

4.09Seconds · 40 Yards

4Undefeated

NFL Fastest Man Champion

Green won the NFL's Fastest Man Competition four times — the only multiple winner who never lost a single one.

10.08100 Meters

The Track Résumé

His collegiate 100-meter best of 10.08 still stands as the all-time fastest in Lone Star Conference history.

The 4.09 figure is widely reported from 1986 training camp but was never electronically verified at an NFL Combine. It is presented here as the reported, unofficial mark.

The record book

What He Owns

19NFL Record

Consecutive Seasons With an Interception

Green intercepted a pass every year from 1983 through 2001 — the longest streak in NFL history. His only pick-less season was his last.

295NFL Record

Games by a Defensive Player

When he retired, no defensive player in NFL history had appeared in more games.

20Rare Air

Seasons With One Franchise

For years, Green and offensive tackle Jackie Slater were the only players in NFL history to play 20 seasons all with a single team.

41Years Old

Oldest Player to Record an Interception

At 41 years and 304 days, Green became the oldest player ever to intercept a pass.

42Years Old

Oldest NFL Defensive Back

He finished his final season in 2002 at age 42, still lining up at cornerback in the modern NFL.

54Franchise

Washington Career Interceptions

Green holds the franchise records for career interceptions, interception-return touchdowns, and the longest fumble return.

The full archive

Season by Season

Every year, 1983–2002. Highlighted rows mark the two Super Bowl championship seasons.

Season	Team	Games	INT	INT Yds	Avg	TD
1983	Washington	16	2	7	3.5	0
1984	Washington	16	5	91	18.2	1
1985	Washington	16	2	0	0.0	0
1986	Washington	16	5	9	1.8	0
1987 ★	Washington	12	3	65	21.7	0
1988	Washington	15	1	12	12.0	0
1989	Washington	7	2	0	0.0	0
1990	Washington	16	4	20	5.0	1
1991 ★	Washington	16	5	47	9.4	0
1992	Washington	8	1	15	15.0	0
1993	Washington	16	4	10	2.5	0
1994	Washington	16	3	32	10.7	1
1995	Washington	16	3	42	14.0	1
1996	Washington	16	3	84	28.0	1
1997	Washington	16	1	83	83.0	1
1998	Washington	16	3	36	12.0	0
1999	Washington	16	3	33	11.0	0
2000	Washington	13	3	35	11.7	0
2001	Washington	16	1	0	0.0	0
2002	Washington	16	0	0	0.0	0
Career	20 seasons	295	54	621	11.5	6

★ Super Bowl championship season (Super Bowl XXII, 1987 season; Super Bowl XXVI, 1991 season). Games, interceptions and return yards are official NFL statistics. The 1987 season was shortened by a players' strike.

“I was born with speed and talent. But I was also born with desire — the desire to go faster every year. I set it as a goal, and I achieved it.”

Darrell GreenOn the work behind the gift

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