Weight 91 kg Nominations Heisman Trophy Name D. Dozier Date joined 1983 | Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Career end 1991 | |
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Date of birth: (1965-09-21) September 21, 1965 (age 50) High school: Virginia Beach (VA) Kempsville NFL draft: 1987 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14 Education Pennsylvania State University | ||
William Henry "D.J." Dozier, Jr. (born September 21, 1965) is a retired American National Football League running back and Major League Baseball outfielder. He played five seasons with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions from 1987 to 1991, and played one season with the MLB's New York Mets in 1992. He currently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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Early years
Dozier was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and later attended Penn State University.
Football career
Baseball career
Dozier, who was 6'0", 202 pounds and who threw and batted right-handed was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall). He opted not to sign and decided to go to college, where he would pursue his football career.
In 1990, the New York Mets signed him as an amateur free agent. He spent 1990 and 1991 in the minor leagues, where he showed good speed (he stole 33 bases with St. Lucie in 1990) and also some power (in 1990, he hit 13 home runs with St. Lucie). He played for the Williamsport Bills in 1991.
After spending some time in the minors in 1992, he was called up to the Major Leagues and made his debut on May 6, 1992 at the age of 26. In 25 games, he hit .191 with 4 stolen bases and 19 strikeouts in 47 at-bats. Defensively, he committed 1 error for a fielding percentage of .971.
On October 26, 1992, Dozier was traded with catcher Raul Casanova and pitcher Wally Whitehurst for shortstop/third baseman Tony Fernandez.