Don Dufek

Don Dufek

Dufek from 1974 Michiganensian
Position:	S/KR
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1954-04-28) April 28, 1954 (age 62)
Place of birth:	Ann Arbor, Michigan
Career information
College:	Michigan
NFL Draft:	1976 / Round: 5 / Pick: 126
Career history
Seattle Seahawks (1976–1984)
Career highlights and awards
Seattle Seahawks captain (1981-1982) All-American (1975) All-Big Ten (1974-75) Michigan team Captain (1975) Big Ten Champion (1973-74) NFL, NHL, & WHA Draftee
Career NFL statistics
Quarterback sacks: 2 Interceptions: 3 Kickoff returns: 13

Donald Patrick "Don" Dufek, Jr. (born April 28, 1954) is a former American football player who played safety and special teams for eight seasons with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He had previously played for the Michigan Wolverines football team in Ann Arbor from 1973 to 1975. He was chosen to serve as team captain for both the Seahawks and Wolverines.

At Michigan, he was following in the footsteps of his father Don Dufek, Sr. who had been a Wolverine team Most Valuable Player. As a graduate of Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Dufek was able to stay close to home while performing as a two-sport star at the University of Michigan where he played for the Michigan Wolverines football and hockey teams. In football, he was a member of back-to-back Big Ten Conference championship teams at Michigan and became an All-American as well as a team captain.

Dufek, was sought after as a professional athlete in two sports: Dufek was drafted by teams in the National Hockey League, World Hockey Association and National Football League. He opted for football and played his entire professional career with the Seahawks. He endured several unsuccessful seasons in Seattle, but the team made the playoffs in his final two years. In his role as a special teams player, he again became a team captain.

Dufek grew up in Ann Arbor, the son of former fullback, Don Dufek, Sr., who was named Most Valuable Player of the 1950 Michigan Wolverines football team and the MVP of the 1951 Rose Bowl. In 1971, Dufek played linebacker for Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and was one of only three unanimous picks for the major All-State football teams in the State of Michigan, as selected by the United Press International (UPI), Associated Press (AP), and Detroit Free Press. The coach of Pioneer's cross-town rival Huron High School said of Dufek in 1971: "He's the best I've seen."