He was a standout former NFL linebacker and college football star, famously chosen in the first round of the 1987 NFL supplemental draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to his professional career, he made a name for himself on the college stage at the University of Oklahoma. During his time there, he earned the prestigious Dick Butkus Award and was recognized as an All-American in both 1985 and 1986. Off the field, he shared a meaningful personal life with his high school sweetheart, Katherine Nicastro, with whom he had three children.
He was handed a massive 10-year, $11 million deal by the Seahawks — and let me tell you, back in 1987, that contract wasn’t just impressive, it was historic. At the time, it became the largest contract ever offered by the team, marking a turning point in their financial commitment to talent. Even more notably, it stood out as the biggest rookie contract the NFL had ever seen. He really set the bar high right from the start, didn’t he? It’s clear that from day one, he was seen as a game-changer, and that deal reflected just how much faith the organization had in him.