|
Texas
A&M linebacker Dat Nguyen (pronounced "win") was just drafted
by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (85th pick overall) of
the 1999 NFL Draft this past Saturday. In doing so, he became
the first Vietnamese football player to be drafted. At 5'11" and
221lb, he is considered small for his position, but his instincts
and desire to play the game compensates for all that.
Originally,
Nguyen's parents, Ho and Tammy Nguyen fled Vietnam in 1975 along
with his five older brothers and sisters and him on the way. Nguyen
was born on September 25, 1975, in Arkansas in a refugee camp
before his family moved to Texas. There he played soccer and football
where he was named the district 30-3A Defensive Player of the
Year.
His
college career has been exceptional to say  the
least. In 1994, he became the first freshman in school history
to lead Texas A&M in tackles, something he would continue to do
his entire college career. The next year he earned All-Big 12
honors as he led the Aggies with 146 tackles. In his junior year,
Nguyen was named a Butkus Award (for the best college linebacker)
semifinalist. This last year, he made 147 tackles and was named
college's Lombardi and Bednarik award winner. By the end of his
college career, Nguyen piled up 517 tackles. His fierce presence
made him a menace on the playing field.
Now
after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, he is expected to begin
a new journey. One that will perhaps bring him something all NFL
players look for…a Super Bowl ring.
|
