Random Athlete Of The Day- JaJuan Dawson
Jajuan is the answer to one of my new favorite trivia questions: Who was the 3rd string wide receiver for the Houston Texans in their inaugural season? Dawson was born in Gibson, LA, a town with a population of just under 2,000. At H.L Bourgeois High School the 6-1 Dawson was a star in football, basketball, and track, which escorted him directly to Tulane University, which is a bit larger than his hometown.
His first year he redshirted at TU, but the next season he got in the mix and caught 18 passes for 211 yards and touchdown. In 1997 Dawson broke out and became the go-to receiver for the Green Wave. Even though his season was cut short, he still managed 52 receptions for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns emerging as a serious deep threat. That year against Syracuse he exploded for a career high 204 yards (of course it had to be against Syracuse). The next season Dawson managed to do something very hard. Not only did he help that team to an undefeated season, but also he somehow made Shaun King actually look good. The wideout caught 68 balls for 947 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 1999 for his final year, Jajuan set career highs in receptions and yards with 96 and 1,051.
In the 2000 NFL Draft Dawson was selected 79th overall to the Cleveland Browns sandwiched between Laveranues Coles and Darrell Jackson (Browns life story). Looking back Tom Brady would’ve been a very good pick there. As a rookie Dawson barely saw the field and in 2 games put up 97 yards and touchdown. In his second season with the Browns he played in every game resulting in 22 receptions for 281 yards and another touchdown. In 2002 the Houston Texans were born and Dawson got sucked in. Miraculously 21 times that David Carr was able to get away from a sack he completed a pass to Dawson for a new career high, 21 receptions.
That would be Dawson’s last NFL season; he later would make the permanent move to sales. He has worked for Physician Sales & Service, Stryker Medical, and currently works for Boston Scientific.
Funny stat from Dawgs By Nature about the 2000 NFL Draft:
“The Browns had two third rounders that played a combined five seasons in the NFL and only three of those were with the Browns”
-Schotz
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