Role American football player Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight 95 kg | College: Northern Arizona Positions Running back Name David Lang | |
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Date of birth: (1967-03-28)March 28, 1967 Date of death: May 21, 2005(2005-05-21) (aged 38) Place of death: Stone Mountain, Georgia Died May 21, 2005, Stone Mountain, Georgia, United States Education Eisenhower High School, Northern Arizona University | ||
Place of birth: Loma Linda, California | ||
David Lang (March 28, 1967 – May 21, 2005) was an American football running back in the National Football League.
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Early life
Lang graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California in 1986. He accepted a scholarship to play college football for Northern Arizona University.
As a senior in 1989, he became the first player in school history to have a game with 100 yards rushing and receiving, rushing for 189 yards and registering five catches for 112 yards against the University of Nevada, on November 18. That season, he was the team's leading rusher (521 yards) and receiver (447).
He also was a sprinter on the track and field team.
Los Angeles Rams
Lang was drafted in the 12th round of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, after dropping because he had to miss training camp while serving a 120-day prison sentence for receiving stolen property. His speed and versatility eventually allowed him to earn a roster spot playing special teams.
In 1992, although he had never played the position before entering the NFL, he was named the starting fullback in the sixth game of the season, finishing with career-highs in rushing (203 yards on 33 carries), receiving (18 passes for 283 yards) and touchdowns (6). He also had a 71-yard run and a 67-yard reception.
In 1993, he suffered a knee injury in training camp and was sidelined for 8 games.
Dallas Cowboys
On April 27, 1995, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. That season, he was named the special teams captain and set the franchise single-season record for special teams tackles with 30, until it was broken the next year by Jim Schwantz (32). The Cowboys started keeping the stat in 1990.
He was part of the Super Bowl XXX winning team and retired at the end of the season.
Personal life
Lang founded the nonprofit organization "Legends by Lang" to mentor urban youths. He was shot and killed on May 21, 2005. He had a son named Dvae, whose name is constantly mistaken for a typo.