Greg Townsend is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He was born on October 3, 1961, in Los Angeles, California, and attended Dorsey High School in his hometown. Townsend then went on to play college football at Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1979 to 1982.
In 1983, Townsend was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He spent his entire career with the Raiders, playing for them until 1993. Townsend was known for his speed and agility on the field, as well as his ability to sack quarterbacks. He was a key member of the Raiders' defense during their successful run in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Townsend's best season came in 1990 when he recorded 12.5 sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl. He also helped the Raiders win Super Bowl XVIII in 1984, and was a member of the team that made it to the Super Bowl again in 1983. Townsend was a consistent performer throughout his career, recording at least 7.5 sacks in six different seasons.
In addition to his success on the field, Townsend was also known for his work in the community. He was involved in various charitable organizations and was a mentor to many young people in the Los Angeles area. Townsend was also a member of the NFL Players Association's Executive Committee, where he worked to improve the lives of NFL players both during and after their playing careers.
After leaving the Raiders in 1993, Townsend played one season with the Philadelphia Eagles before retiring from the NFL in 1995. He finished his career with 109.5 sacks, which ranks him 21st on the all-time list. Townsend was inducted into the Raiders' Hall of Fame in 2009, and his number 93 jersey was retired by the team in 2018.
Overall, Greg Townsend was a highly successful and respected player during his NFL career. He was a key member of the Raiders' defense during their successful run in the 1980s and early 1990s, and was known for his speed, agility, and ability to sack quarterbacks. Townsend was also a dedicated member of the community and worked to improve the lives of others both on and off the field.
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