George Teague

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George Teague
No. 31, 30, 23
Position:
Jefferson Davis
(Montgomery, Alabama)
College:Alabama
NFL draft:1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 29
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:
15
Defensive touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

George Theo Teague (born February 18, 1971) is an American former professional

safety in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Alabama
.

Early years

An Air Force brat, Teague grew up at

track
.

Teague accepted a football scholarship from the University of Alabama. He was a reserve cornerback as a true freshman. Teague was named a starter at cornerback as a sophomore, tallying one interception.

As a junior, Teague was moved to

free safety
, where he led the conference with six interceptions and recorded career-highs for tackles (54) and passes defensed (11).

As a senior, Teague tied for the conference lead with six interceptions. His 14 career interceptions were two short of the school record at the time. Teague came to be known nationally as a playmaker in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. This game marked his first interception returned for a touchdown in his college career. Five plays later, he raced downfield and caught up with sprinting wide receiver Lamar Thomas and stripped the ball from him in full stride, while maintaining possession and returning the ball upfield. Although the play was called back on an offside penalty against Alabama, it was still successful in preventing a Hurricane touchdown, as Miami would have simply declined the penalty had the strip not taken place.[1] It also negated Miami's effort to regain their offensive momentum: Miami was forced to punt soon afterward, and never mounted another substantial offensive threat in the Crimson Tide's 34–13 victory.[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m) 		185 lb
(84 kg) 		31+5⁄8 in
(0.80 m) 		8+1⁄4 in
(0.21 m)		 30.5 in
(0.77 m)		 9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		 11 reps
All values from NFL Combine[3]

Green Bay Packers

Teague was selected by the

NFL's Defensive Player of the Week award.[6]

In 1994, Teague practiced on a limited basis early in training camp due to a thyroid condition, which caused a pronounced weight loss initially and later affected his conditioning. He began practicing on a full-time basis on August 4. Teague started 16 games, collecting 53 tackles, three interceptions (tied for second on the team), 13 passes defensed (third on the team) and one forced fumble.

In 1995, Teague started 15 games, making 72 tackles (tied for sixth on the team), two interceptions, 13 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. He missed one game with a broken toe.[7]

Atlanta Falcons

On August 17, 1996, the Atlanta Falcons waived Teague after only a month.

Dallas Cowboys (first stint)

On August 23,

special teams
tackles and a career-high four interceptions.

His career signature game came against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC wild-card playoff game, where he was dominant in helping the Cowboys produce a 40–15 rout. He forced turnovers on three consecutive Vikings possessions. He first denied Amp Lee of a 43-yard touchdown reception, by stripping the ball which went out of the end zone for a touchback. On the next Vikings possession, he caused a Leroy Hoard fumble. He then proceeded to return an interception 29 yards for a touchdown.[10] He received NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors.

The Cowboys were unable to re-sign him at the end of the season, because of the salary cap problems they had at the time.

Miami Dolphins

On March 19,

safety Brock Marion.[13]

Dallas Cowboys (second stint)

On May 6,

special teams
tackles.

In

special teams tackles and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns
. He missed two games with a strained neck injury.

In

special teams tackles. Teague is best remembered for a notable incident during a game against the San Francisco 49ers on September 24. In that game, 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens caught his second touchdown pass of the game and ran to the Cowboys' star logo at midfield to celebrate, as he had on his previous touchdown. Teague violently shoved Owens from behind during the celebration and was ejected from the game. In 2008, the moment was named one of the ten most memorable in the history of Texas Stadium by ESPN.[14]

In 2001, Teague started 16 games. On September 23, just two weeks after the September 11 attacks, as the Cowboys were taking the field to play the San Diego Chargers at Texas Stadium, Teague carried the American flag, displayed above his head. He was released from the Cowboys on February 28, 2002.[15]

NFL statistics

Year Team Games Combined Tackles Tackles Assisted Tackles Sacks Forced Fumbles Fumble Recoveries Fumble Return Yards Interceptions Interception Return Yards Yards per Interception Return Longest Interception Return Interceptions Returned for Touchdown Passes Defended
1993 GB 16 35 31 4 0.0 0 2 0 1 22 22 22 0 7
1994 GB 16 52 40 12 0.0 0 0 0 3 33 11 16 0 13
1995 GB 15 56 42 14 0.0 0 1 0 2 100 50 74 0 12
1996 DAL 16 57 47 10 0.0 0 0 0 4 47 12 22 0 6
1997 MIA 15 38 19 19 0.0 1 0 0 2 25 13 23 0 3
1998 DAL 16 42 34 8 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
1999 DAL 14 67 48 19 0.0 1 1 0 3 127 42 95 2 9
2000 DAL 9 42 37 5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2001 DAL 16 58 43 15 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Career 133 447 341 106 2.0 5 4 0 15 354 24 95 2 63

[16]

Coaching career

On December 9, 2016, Teague accepted a position as the head football coach at John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas. He previously served as the Athletic Director and football coach for June Shelton School, Harvest Christian Academy and Carrollton Christian Academy.[17]

References

  1. ^ "Picture Of A Beaten Bunch: Thomas, Minus Swagger". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "Alabama ultimate moment: The Strip was ultimately a result of George Teague being tired in '93 Sugar Bowl". August 28, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  3. ^ "George Teague, Combine Results, FS - Alabama". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ^ "Packers sign 1st-round pick". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "Teague Lionized Again After 101-yard Return". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Drape, Joe (December 29, 1996). "Teague Is Mr. Big Among the Big Names". The New York Times. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  8. ^ "Butler Has Stats, But Not Bear's Job". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 1996. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  9. ^ "Teague hasn't forgotten Packers". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  10. ^ "Cowboys Look Like Champs, Send Vikings Sailing". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  11. ^ "Dolphins Get Bargain In Teague". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Madison Joins Rookie Starters". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  13. ^ "George Teague Waived". Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  14. ^ "ESPN - Legends, underdogs, goats shared Texas Stadium spotlight - NFL". Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  15. ^ "Transactions". The New York Times. March 2002. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  16. ^ "George Teague Stats". ESPN. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "Remember George Teague? Alabama legend now coaches HS football in Texas". July 14, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
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