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Don Warren

 

Career Highlights

• Voted to the 80 Greatest Redskins
• Three-time Super Bowl Champion
• Four Super Bowl appearances
• Selected for the Ring of Honor in 2005

The Flying Dutchman

Don Warren played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons.

He was born on November 1, 1961, in San Diego, California. He went to Royal Oak High School in Covina, California.

Warren then attended Mt. San Antonio College before eventually transferring to San Diego State University, where he played tight end for the Aztecs. He earned a spot in the East West Shrine game in 1978.

The Dutchman was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round – 103rd overall – of the 1984 NFL Draft. He played for the team for his entire career, from 1979 to 1992.

Warren was known for his reliable hands, strong blocking skills, and tough attitude on the field. He was an original member of The Hogs.

“He was our prototype player as far as work habits, work ethic, attitude and play time. He didn’t come to us with all-pro talent. He came with an all-pro attitude. … For 14 seasons, he was the best blocking tight end in the NFL. Players such as Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks knew the toughest afternoon they’d face would be against the Washington Redskins because of Donnie Warren.” – Redskins former GM Charley Casserly

He was an important part of the Redskins’ offense for all three of their Super Bowl-winning seasons. In Super Bowl XXVI, Warren caught two passes for 20 yards as the Redskins defeated the Buffalo Bills 37-24.

Over the course of his 14-year career, Warren played in 193 regular-season games, catching 244 passes for 2,536 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also appeared in 19 playoff games for the Redskins.

In recognition of his contributions to the team, the Redskins inducted Warren into their Ring of Fame in 2000. He was also selected to be one of the 80 Greatest Redskins. He remains one of the most beloved players in franchise history and is remembered for his tough, blue-collar work ethic and his unwavering commitment to the game of football.

Life After Football

Off the field, Warren was known for his kind-heartedness and generosity towards others. He was actively involved in several community outreach programs, including the Redskins’ Charitable Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Warren was also a devoted family man. He married his high school sweetheart, Cheryl, and they had three children together. Warren often credited his family as a source of inspiration and motivation throughout his career.

After retiring from the NFL, Warren remained involved in football as a coach. He worked at Centreville High School where he coached the team to three regional championships and the AAA State Championship in 2000. Two of his sons played on that championship team, and all three of his sons played for Centreville and earned football scholarships to Virginia Tech.

In 2005, Warren began a 20-plus year career as an NFL scout. He rejoined the Redskins in 2005 when he joined the front office in Joe Gibbs second go-around.

He spent five seasons there until the 2010 season when he moved to the Carolina Panthers organization with current Washington head coach Ron Rivera. He re-joined Rivera and returned to the Redskins in 2020, where he spent his last two years as a scout before retiring.

Since his retirement in 2021, Warren now spends his time with his family in San Diego.

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