Don Carey
refer to caption
Carey in 2014 with the Lions
No. 22, 31, 32, 26, 21
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1987-02-14) February 14, 1987
Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Booker T. Washington
(Norfolk, Virginia)
College:Norfolk State
NFL Draft:2009 / Round: 6 / Pick: 177
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • 2× Second-team All-MEAC (2007, 2008)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:190
Pass deflections:8
Interceptions:3
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:2
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Don Juan Carey III (born February 14, 1987) is a former American football safety. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Norfolk State. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Carey was later elected to the Chesapeake, Virginia city council.

Early years

Prior to attending Norfolk State, Carey went to Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia.[1]

Don's younger brother Donte played defensive back for Grand Valley State, a Division II school in Allendale, Michigan.


Personal life

Carey announced he would retire from the NFL and would move to Chesapeake, Virginia on April 27, 2019,[2] where he lives with his wife, Lakeisha, an attorney,[3] and their three children. During Carey's stint in the NFL, he and his wife established the REECH Foundation -- Reaching, Educating and Empowering Our Children -- and now operate it out of the Tidewater region of Virginia, where they reside. The Foundation is focused on "STEM [Education] (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math), physical wellbeing, health, social and moral responsibility along with vocational and collegiate preparation."[4]


Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m)		 197 lb
(89 kg)		 4.48 s1.59 s2.69 s4.20 s6.87 s32+1⁄2 in
(0.83 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		18 reps
All values from the NFL Combine/Norfolk State's Pro Day[5]

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns selected Carey in the sixth round (177th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. He was the 24th cornerback drafted in 2009.[6]

On July 14, 2009, the Cleveland Browns signed Carey to a four-year, $1.86 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $116,750.[7]

Throughout training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Hank Poteat, Corey Ivy, Gerard Lawson, and Coye Francies.[8] On August 6, 2009, the Cleveland Browns waived Carey due to a shoulder injury.[9]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On August 7, 2009, the Jacksonville Jaguars claimed Carey off of waivers.[10] The Jacksonville Jaguars were criticized for claiming Carey as it was expected the Browns would've placed him on injured reserve after clearing waivers.[11] On September 1, 2009, the Jaguars placed him on injured reserve due to his shoulder injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

2010

During training camp, he competed for a roster spot as a backup cornerback against Tyron Brackenridge, William Middleton, Scotty McGee, Josh Gordy, and Chris Hawkins.[12][13]

2011

Carey was waived by the Jaguars prior to the start of the 2011 season.[14]

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions signed Carey on October 25, 2011. He was released on August 20, 2012, and was re-signed on November 1, 2012 after Bill Bentley was placed on injured reserve. He saw action in nine games (six starts), providing an immediate impact on defense and special teams, totaling 12 special teams tackles (10 solo) to go along with his 27 tackles (19 solo) on defense.

In 2013, Carey was a versatile option at nickel and a source of stability to the Lions secondary and special teams coverage unit. Totaled 19 tackles (16 solo), two pass defenses and finished second on the team in special teams tackles with 11 (eight solo). He had a breakout performance at Pittsburgh on November 17 where he started at linebacker and had a career-high nine tackles.

In 2014, Carey missed only three games due to a hamstring injury, and started three of his 13 games. He finished the season with seven tackles (six solo), one fumble recovery and five special teams tackles. On January 10, 2014, Carey signed a three-year contract extension with the Lions.[15]

In 2015, Carey led the NFL in solo special teams tackles with 14, and tied for second in total special teams tackles with 16. He recorded a special teams tackle in 11 of the 16 games during the season.

And in 2016, Carey was nominated as the Lions's Walter Payton Man of the Year, including for his contribution to "Athletes for Charity [working] to install a youth literacy program at two Detroit area schools, with a focus on STEM — a curriculum centered around science, technology, engineering and mathematics."[16]

Carey signed a one-year contract extension with the Lions through 2017 on November 16, 2016.[17]

Jacksonville Jaguars (second stint)

On March 14, 2018, Carey signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[18] He was placed on injured reserve on August 21, 2018 due to a hamstring injury.[19] He was released on August 28, 2018.

Detroit Lions (second stint)

On November 20, 2018, Carey was signed by the Detroit Lions, only to be released three days later.[20][21]

Political career

Carey ran for and won a seat on the Chesapeake, Virginia city council in 2020. Though the race was non-partisan and Carey was listed as an independent, he had the backing of the Republican Party. Carey placed first in a field of seven candidates and was sworn into office on July 1. [22] [23]

Electoral history

2020 Chesapeake At-Large City Council election[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Don Juan Carey, III 17,693 19.7
Nonpartisan Susan Zimet Ritter (inc.) 17,569 19.6
Nonpartisan Robert Clifton Ike, Jr. (inc.) 15,979 17.8
Nonpartisan Dwight M. Parker (inc.) 13.029 14.5
Nonpartisan Lessie Smith, Jr. 12,278 13.7
Nonpartisan Sharon Johnson-Clayton 9,157 10.2
Nonpartisan Victoria Teresa Anastasia Nicholls 3,503 3.9
Write-in 550 0.0
Total votes 89,758 100

References

  1. ↑ Don Carey NFL.com combine profile
  2. ↑ Reisman, Jeremy (April 18, 2019). "Lions notes: Don Carey retires after 10 seasons in NFL". prideofdetroit.com.
  3. ↑ Williams, Valeria (November 11, 2016). "FEATURED WAG LAKEISHA CAREY: The Transition from Litigating in Court to being a Wife, Mother, Ministry Leader, Philanthropist, and Author". wagsredefined.com.
  4. ↑ "About – the REECH Foundation".
  5. ↑ "NFL Draft Profile: Don Carey". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  6. ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Spotrac.com: Don Carey contract". spotrac.com.
  8. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart: 07/01/2009". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  9. ↑ McBride, Barry. "CB Don Carey: Waived/Injured". Retrieved August 6, 2008.
  10. ↑ "Jaguars Claim CB Don Carey Off Waivers". bigcatcountry.com. August 8, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  11. ↑ Rosenthal, Greg. "Jags complete "snatch-and-stash" move with Don Carey". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Ourlads.com: Jacksonville Jaguars' Depth Chart: 07/01/2010". Ourlads.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  13. ↑ Stites, Adam (August 31, 2010). "Don Carey: Worth a Roster Spot?". bigcatcountry.com. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  14. ↑ Jacksonville Jaguars cutdown analysis
  15. ↑ Rothstein, Michael (January 10, 2014). "Reports: Lions sign Carey to extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. ↑ Rogers, Justin (October 14, 2016). "Don Carey gets Lions' nod for Waltor Payton honor". detroitnews.com.
  17. ↑ Mathews, Ryan (November 16, 2016). "Lions sign Don Carey to extension through 2017 season". PrideofDetroit.com.
  18. ↑ "OFFICIAL: Carey signs". Jaguars.com. March 15, 2018. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Jaguars Sign Linebacker Nick DeLuca". Jaguars.com. August 21, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Lions sign free agent S Don Carey". DetroitLions.com. November 20, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Lions announce Cooper acquisition, waive Don Carey". Lions Wire. USA Today. November 23, 2018.
  22. ↑ Rago, Gordon (May 20, 2020). "Ex-NFL player Don Carey elected to Chesapeake council, ousting longtime councilman Dwight Parker". pilotonline.com.
  23. 1 2 "2020 City Council General Election Chesapeake City". Virginia Department of Elections. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
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