Derek Tennell
Derek Wayne Tennell is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. He won Super Bowl XXVII with Dallas.
Early life
Tennell attended West Covina High School where he practiced football, basketball and track. In his senior year as a running back, he registered 807 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns.In basketball, he averaged 19 points and 12.5 rebounds, while helping this team reach the Sierra League championship. In the 440-yard dash, he set the school record of 49.2 seconds.
College career
Tennell accepted a football scholarship from the University of California, Los Angeles, and began his college career as a fullback. As a sophomore, he was converted into a tight end. He was named the starter and was fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 167 yards.As a junior, he had 24 receptions for 252 yards. As a senior, he posted 15 receptions for 152 yards and 3 touchdowns. He finished his college career as a three-year starter with 64 receptions for 602 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Tennell was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 1987 NFL draft. He was waived on September 8.Cleveland Browns
In 1987, after the players went on a strike on the third week of the season, those games were canceled and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Tennell was signed to be a part of the Cleveland Browns replacement team. He ended up playing well in those games as the starter at tight end and was kept for the rest of the season. He was the backup to Ozzie Newsome and played mainly on special teams.In 1988, he started 3 games, registering 9 receptions for 88 yards and one touchdown. He was released on December 11, 1989.