Voting Station

Dave Duerson

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Football Player

The Resume

    (November 28, 1960-February 17, 2011)
    Born in Muncie, Indiana
    Played college football at Notre Dame
    Played safety for the Chicago Bears (1983-89), the New York Giants (1990) and the Arizona Cardinals (1991-93)
    Played in four Pro Bowls (1985-88)
    Made 20 career interceptions, 16 sacks, and received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 1987
    Died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest at his home in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida at age 50
    Donated his brain to the Boston University School of Medicine for study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy incurred during his football playing days

Why he might be annoying:

    After several years with the Bears and one year with the Giants, he was traded to the Cardinals, where his career fizzled.
    After buying a sausage company and turning a profit, he sold it and started Duerson Foods in 2002, where four years later he declared bankruptcy.
    He resigned from Notre Dame's trustees board in 2005 after being charged with pushing his wife, and two years later filed for divorce.
    He was engaged to be married in 2011 when he committed suicide.
    Because his football injuries may have played a part in his suicide, his son Tregg lamented, 'I just wish he had played baseball.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    At Notre Dame, he was named his team's MVP and a captain (1982).
    He was part of the great 'Superbowl Shuffle' Bears team, and won two Super Bowls (with the '85 Bears and the '90 Giants).
    After he purchased majority interest in Fair Oaks Farms in 1995, six years later he turned the company from $24 million revenue to over $63 million.
    As his memory loss grew, so did his depression.
    Citing other athletes who donated their brains for study of sports related trauma, he purposely shot himself in the chest rather than the head so his brain would remain intact.
    Many of his Superbowl Bears teammates attended his funeral (some were pallbearers), and Walter Payton's widow commented about his donation, 'Even in the midst of the tragedy, he gave a big contribution. He’s going to help a lot of players, and help a lot of young players.'
    During his service his 21-year-old son Brock emotionally stated, 'My dad decided to donate his brain to the NFL for research, and I’m proud. I’m proud. I’m proud.'

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 20.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 57 Votes: 43.86% Annoying