Dexter Manley

Dexter Keith Manley was born on February 2, 1959, in Houston, Texas. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he played college football as a defensive end before being drafted into the NFL. In the 1981 NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins selected Manley in the fifth round as the 119th overall pick. During his nine seasons with the Redskins, Manley was a key player, contributing significantly to two Super Bowl victories (Super Bowl XVII and XXII).

His career with the Redskins was marked by consistent performance as a defensive end, showcasing his ability to generate pressure on opposing offenses. In 1986, Manley achieved a career highlight by recording 18.5 sacks, setting a Redskins single-season record, which earned him a Pro Bowl selection and First-Team All-Pro honors that year. Following his time with the Redskins, he played briefly for the Phoenix Cardinals in 1990 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991, concluding his NFL career. He then transitioned to the Canadian Football League, playing for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1992 to 1993 and the Shreveport Pirates in 1994.

Manley finished his professional career with an official count of 97.5 sacks in the NFL, with an unofficial total of 103.5 sacks when including his rookie season before sacks became an official statistic. Following his retirement from football, Manley openly discussed his personal struggles with illiteracy and drug addiction. This led him and his wife, Lydia, to establish the Lydia & Dexter Manley Foundation, aimed at promoting literacy for children in Washington, D.C., reflecting a turning point in his life towards advocacy and community service.