Buddy Curry
George Jessel "Buddy" Curry (born June 4, 1958) is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. He played college football for the University of North Carolina. A 2nd-round pick in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, he and his Falcons teammate Al Richardson were selected as the 1980 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
![]() Curry in 2018 | |||||||
No. 50 | |||||||
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Position: | Linebacker | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Greenville, North Carolina, U.S. | June 4, 1958||||||
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 224 lb (102 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Danville (VA) George Washington | ||||||
College: | North Carolina | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1980 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
He is currently the head master trainer for USA Football's "Heads Up Football Program", which teaches youth athletes proper tackling techniques.[1]
High school career
Buddy Curry was the defensive stalwart on Coach Alger Pugh's fine mid-1970s George Washington Eagles teams in Danville, VA.[2]
College career
NFL career
In his rookie year, Curry co-shared the Defensive Rookie of the Year award with fellow Atlanta linebacker Al Richardson. In 1983, Curry made 229 tackles, which remains the most by a Falcons defender in a season, followed by Keith Brooking's 212 tackles in 2002.[3] He blocked a field goal during a 26–14 victory against the Los Angeles Rams on October 12, 1986.[4]
Personal life
His son, Jessel Curry was a 2009 recruit to the Auburn University Tigers Football team. He also has another son named David Curry who is a Linebacker at Georgia Tech.[5] His daughter, Gaby plays libero for Kentucky.
References

- "Buddy Curry helping Heads Up program with Kids & Pros". NFL Evolution. 2013-04-27. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
- "Buddy Curry".
- "FALCONS RE-SIGN BROOKING". The Boston Globe. Associated Press. February 21, 2003. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- "Falcons' short drives bump Rams off the top". Chicago Sun-Times. Associated Press. October 13, 1986. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2014.(subscription required)
- Casazza, Mike (May 18, 2009). "Mountaineer football 2010 commitment list grows". Charleston Daily Mail. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2014.(subscription required)