On August 28th, 2010, Derrick Burroughs will begin a new milestone in his professional career as the Head Football Coach of the Lane College Dragons. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Coach Burroughs, a former NFL defensive back, has called on two former teammates from the NFL Buffalo Bills to be at his side on opening day. Mr. Bruce Smith and Mr. Darryl Talley have agreed to deliver a brief pre-game message to the Dragons before they take on the Panthers from Clark Atlanta University in the first game of the season. Afterwards, Smith and Talley will join the Panthers and the Dragons on the field for the traditional coin-toss.
Bruce Smith is a 2009 inductee into the National Football League Hall of Fame; he still holds the All-Time Leader of Quarterback Sacks’ record with 200; and he played the majority of his nineteen years in professional football with the Buffalo Bills.
Darryl Talley was selected in 1990 to play in the Pro-Bowl for his first time following a great year as a Defensive Specialist; Mr. Talley returned four interceptions for touchdowns and was selected as an All-Conference player; in 1991, Talley made a return appearance to the Pro-Bowl as a standout defensive player; and he also played the majority of his fourteen years in professional football with the Buffalo Bills.
Coach Burroughs said “I am very excited to have my former teammates come in and help kick-off this season. I would like to see a large number of fans at the newly-renovated Lane Fields to support our football team and also to give an outstanding welcome to two great football players in Bruce Smith and Darryl Talley.”
Kick-off time for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m., and all fans are encouraged to come early and fill the Stadium with excitement, as the new football season gets underway.