Donnie Edwards

Linebacker who achieved 20/20 Club status and now focuses on philanthropy.

Donnie Lewis Edwards Jr. (born April 6, 1973) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning third-team All-American honors in 1994. He was selected by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL draft.

Quick Facts

Position: Linebacker
Born: 6 April 1973
Birthplace: San Diego, California, U.S.
High school: Chula Vista (Chula Vista, California)
College: UCLA
Draft year: 1996
Draft round: 4
Draft pick: 98

Lore & Background

Edwards retired as one of only eight players in the history of the NFL to record more than 20 interceptions and 20 sacks during his career. Since his retirement in 2009, Edwards has devoted himself to philanthropic work with the Best Defense Foundation and children from underprivileged backgrounds.

Reader's Guide

Edwards was born in Chula Vista, California, and is the second of eight brothers and sisters. He accepted a scholarship to UCLA where he played as a linebacker from 1992 to 1995. He left school ranked third in tackles for losses in school history with 38, and fifth in sacks with 22.5 sacks. He tied the school record for sacks in a game with 4.5 sacks versus Southern Methodist University, and ranks second in school history for sacks in a single season, with 12.5 sacks. Following his junior year, he won third-team All-America honors. He also played baseball as a junior at first base and third base. Edwards was a member of the Alpha Rho chapter of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at UCLA, and played center-field on the UCLA baseball team.

Did You Know?

On February 28, 2002, the Kansas City Chiefs officially released Edwards after they were unable to come to terms on a new contract.
On April 25, 2002, the San Diego Chargers signed Edwards to a five-year contract as an unrestricted free agent.
His first season with the Chargers, he made the 2002 Pro Bowl as an alternate.
After recording half a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs in a week 7 game of the 2006 season, Edwards became the 9th player in NFL history to become part of the 20/20 Club.