Brian Salonen

Brian Scott Salonen (born July 29, 1961 in Glasgow, Montana) is a former American football tight end who played for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League.

Early years

Salonen attended Great Falls High School in Great Falls, Montana. He played college football at the University of Montana, where he finished as the school's all-time leading receiver.

As a senior he led the Big Sky Conference in receiving. He also made the conference's All-academic list three years in a row.^[1]

In 2003, Sports Illustrated named Salonen as the 17th greatest athlete in Montana sports history.^[2]

Professional career

Salonen was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 10th round (278th overall) of the 1984 NFL Draft. He was also selected by the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League in the ninth round (188th overall) of the 1984 USFL Collegiate draft.

As a rookie he was a backup tight end and played mainly on special teams. The next year he was converted to linebacker and remained as a core special teams player.

On August 19, 1986, he was placed on the injured reserve list.^[3] He retired on May 15, 1988, after failing to recover from a shoulder injury he suffered in November 1986 and spending two years on the injured reserve.^[4]

References