The Secretary of Defense

Elliott and David spend the hour with former all-pro defensive lineman Dexter Manley. We'll talk about his career on the field, and his issues off the field; the drug addiction that led to his banishment from the National Football League, the struggle to hide his illiteracy, and the spread of such problems in collegiate and professional sports.

Episode Segments:

Sports and Torts: Dexter Manley Part One
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Sports and Torts: Dexter Manley Part Two
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Dexter Manley Dexter Manley, arguably the greatest defensive end in Redskins history, was one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL during the 1980s. A Redskin from 1981-89, he recorded a team-record 97.5 sacks and a team single-season record 18 in 1986, when he was a consensus first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl. That year, he also was designated the "Secretary of Defense." In the NFC championship game on Jan. 17, 1983, he contributed to one of the most famous plays in Redskins history, tipping a pass by Cowboys quarterback Gary Hogeboom that Darryl Grant intercepted and returned for a touchdown to punch the Redskins' ticket to Super Bowl XVII, where they beat the Dolphins. Always flamboyant and charismatic, Manley once sported a Mohawk haircut and called himself "Mr. D," a take on the popular actor, "Mr. T," and once wore red and electric-blue Spiderman practice tights. Dexter's Website