DeWayne Odom
| No. 36[1] | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 10, 1968 Oceanside, California U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Mira Mesa (San Diego, California) |
| College: | California (1987–1990) |
| NFL draft: | 1991: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Albert DeWayne Odom (born August 10, 1968) is an American former football linebacker. He played college football at the University of California, Berkeley and professionally for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Early life and college
[edit]Albert DeWayne Odom was born on August 10, 1968, in Oceanside, California.[1] He played high school football at Mira Mesa Senior High School in San Diego, California as a quarterback.[2] He was named the City Eastern League Offensive Player of the Year in 1985.[3] Odom also lettered three years in basketball.[3]
Odom played college football for the California Golden Bears of the University of California, Berkeley as a linebacker, and was a four-year letterman from 1987 to 1990.[1] He was redshirted in 1986.[2] Odom became a starter during the eighth game of his freshman year in 1987.[2] He recorded 41 solo tackles, 37 assisted tackles, and one interception in 1989, earning honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors.[2][4] In Odom's senior year of 1990, the Golden Bears won their first bowl game in 53 years (the 1990 Copper Bowl).[5]
Professional career
[edit]After going undrafted in the 1991 NFL draft, Odom signed with the San Diego Chargers on April 25, 1991.[6] On August 23, 1991, it was reported that Odom had been released by the Chargers so the team could make room for Cedric Mack.[7]
In September 1991, Odom was signed to a trial by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL).[8] He spent the 1991 season on the practice roster.[9] After the retirement of middle linebacker Danny Bass in 1992, outside linebacker Larry Wruck was moved to middle linebacker.[10] Odom then took Wruck's spot as the starting outside linebacker.[10][11] Odom dressed in all 18 games for the Eskimos during the 1992 season, recording 44 defensive tackles, ten special teams tackles, three sacks, and two interceptions.[1]
On March 7, 1993, Odom, Mike O'Shea, Dechane Cameron, William Freeney, and a first-round draft pick were traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for Damon Allen.[12] The trade was announced immediately after the Eskimos selected O'Shea in the 1993 CFL draft.[12] Odom was released by the Tiger-Cats in late June 1993.[13]
Personal life
[edit]Odom's wife, Trisha Stafford-Odom, played in the WNBA.[14] He traveled to WNBA games to watch her play.[14] He later worked as an assistant manager of products, sales, and training at Honda.[15] Odom has also volunteered for the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, which is a quiz bowl for students at Historically black colleges and universities.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "DEWAYNE ODOM". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d McNeal, Martin (September 6, 1990). "Cal puts emphasis on defensive team". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Chargers Sign Former Mira Mesa High Standout". Los Angeles Times. April 26, 1991. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "DeWayne Odom". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Agostini, Ron (December 31, 1990). "Cal wants to end wait with Copper win today". The Modesto Bee. pp. C1. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "Transactions". The Vincennes Sun-Commercial. Associated Press. April 26, 1991. pp. B2. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "Chargers". North County Times. August 23, 1991. pp. C2. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Rauw, Murray (September 11, 1991). "Patience is wearing thin". Calgary Herald. pp. C4. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Cowley, Norm (July 6, 1992). "Rookie gets leg up from Esks". Edmonton Journal. pp. D1. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b Cowley, Norm (October 22, 1992). "First-year phenoms on fast track". Edmonton Journal. pp. F3. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ Cowley, Norm (April 9, 1992). "Esks Wruck moving inside". Edmonton Journal. pp. F3. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b Ireland, Joanne (March 7, 1993). "Allen returns to Eskimos pocket". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ "Deals". The Ottawa Citizen. June 29, 1993. pp. C10. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b Robb, Sharon (July 23, 2002). "Very significant others". South Florida Sun Sentinel. pp. 8C. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
- ^ a b "Volunteer Helps Keep Honda Campus All-Star Challenge Running Smoothly". Honda. June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2025.