Black History Month in Muncie: Dave Duerson
MUNCIE, Ind. — Dave Duerson (1960-2011) began his football career as a three-year starter at Northside High School, winning the statewide title of Mr. Football in 1979.
He then played four seasons for the University of Notre Dame, where he was a two-time All-American. (He would later serve on Notre Dame's board of trustees.)
Duerson played 11 seasons in the National Football League, winning Super Bowls with the Chicago Bears in 1985 and the New York Giants in 1990.
He was selected to play in the Pro Bowl for four consecutive seasons and won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 1987. He sponsored football camps for youth in both Chicago and his hometown of Muncie.
After his retirement from the NFL, Duerson was a successful businessman, owning McDonald's restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky, and heading companies that provided meat products to restaurant chains.
Duerson's tragic death in 2011 helped bring additional attention to the potentially devastating impact of concussions suffered by NFL players.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Black History Month in Muncie: Dave Duerson
