Eugene Lockhart

Eugene Lockhart, Jr. (born March 8, 1961 in Crockett, Texas) is a former American football linebacker who played for nine seasons in the National Football League from 1984 to 1992. He played college football at the University of Houston and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1984 NFL Draft.

Early days

Two year starting linebacker for the University of Houston from 1981 to 1983.

In 1983, he was named tri-captain of the Cougars football team. He also led the team with 134 tackles, was named second team All Southwest Conference by UPI and was voted team's most valuable player.

Graduated with a degree in Marketing.

Professional career

Eugene Lockhart, [Linebacker]] from the University of Houston, was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 6th round of the 1984 NFL Draft.

He became the first rookie in Cowboys history to start at middle linebacker, when Bob Breunig went down with a back injury during the first half of the season.

In 1985, after Bob Breunig retired, he became just the fourth player in Cowboys history to held the job of starting middle linebacker.

In Dallas, his hard hits earned him the nickname "mean gene, the hitting machine".

Lockhart, led the Cowboys in tackles for several years and contributed more than 100 tackles in every season but 1987 (when he suffered a broken bone in his leg).

He played for the Cowboys during a low point in the franchise history, and a lot of times, he was one of the few legitimate players on sub par defenses.

In 1989, he led the NFL and set a club record with 222 tackles. He also led the team in interceptions (2) and set club records with 154 solo tackles, 16 double-digit tackle games and 16 solo tackles in one game vs. Phoenix (10-29-1989). He earned first team All Pro honors and was a bright spot on anotherwise dismal 1-15 team.

In 1990, he led the Cowboys with 139 tackles (72 solos) and was named second team All NFC by United Press International.

On 1991-04-19, in exchange for the first overall draft pick (Russell Maryland), he was traded to the Patriots along with cornerback Ron Francis, linebacker David Howard, 1991 first round pick (#11 Pat Harlow) and 1991 second round pick (#41 Jerome Henderson).

While cleaning out his locker, he was quoted saying: "It's a cold business—a cold, cold business, And it's even colder in New England".

Lockhart played in the NFL for 9 seasons (7 with the Cowboys, 2 with the Patriots), started 117 games, recorded close to 1,000 tackles, 16 sacks and 6 interceptions (1 returned for a TD).

External links

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