Deshazor Everett
Deshazor Everett is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington franchise from 2015 to 2021.[1] Born on February 22, 1992, in DeRidder, Louisiana, Everett attended Texas A&M University, where he played college football as a cornerback and safety, recording 79 tackles (51 solo) in his senior year of 2014.[2][3] After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but was released prior to the season; he then joined the Washington Redskins as a practice squad player and earned a spot on the active roster.[4][5] Throughout his seven-season NFL career, Everett appeared in 89 games exclusively with Washington (renamed the Football Team in 2020 and Commanders in 2022), primarily contributing on special teams with 170 total tackles (119 solo), and occasional defensive snaps at safety.[1] In the 2021 season, prior to his release, he appeared in 14 games and recorded 10 tackles.[1] Everett's career was abruptly ended by a fatal single-vehicle crash on December 23, 2021, in Loudoun County, Virginia, where he was driving a 2010 Nissan GT-R that veered off Gum Spring Road, struck trees, and rolled over, killing his fiancée and passenger, Olivia Peters, aged 29.[6][7] Everett sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including broken ribs and a punctured lung, and was hospitalized for treatment.[6] The Washington Football Team placed him on the reserve/non-football injury list the following day and released him on December 27, 2021.[8] An investigation led to Everett being charged with involuntary manslaughter in February 2022, but the charge was reduced to misdemeanor reckless driving after he agreed to a plea deal.[9][10] On July 19, 2022, he pleaded guilty in Loudoun County Circuit Court, and in September 2022, he was sentenced to three months of house arrest, along with 50 hours of community service and a $2,500 fine. In December 2023, Peters' mother filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against Everett and two other players, alleging reckless racing prior to the crash.[11][12] Since his release from the NFL, Everett has not returned to professional play and has instead focused on public awareness efforts, including a 2023 personal safety announcement (PSA) on distracted driving in partnership with local organizations, where he shared details of the crash and its impact on his life.[13]Early life and education
High school career
Deshazor Everett was born on February 22, 1992, in DeRidder, Louisiana, and raised by his guardians, Monica and Joseph Bolden.[3] Everett attended DeRidder High School, where he competed in both football and basketball as a multi-sport athlete.[14] In football, he primarily played as a defensive back while also contributing on offense as a two-way player.[15] During his high school career, Everett emerged as a standout performer, earning two-time All-Louisiana honors and recognition as an All-State defensive back.[15][16] In his senior year, he recorded 130 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 1 interception on defense, while rushing for 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense. Over his junior and senior seasons, he amassed approximately 273 defensive tackles, ranking among the school's all-time leaders.[17][18] Rated as a three-star recruit by major scouting services, Everett committed to Texas A&M University to continue his football career, opting to prioritize the sport over basketball despite his involvement in both at DeRidder.[19][14]College career
Deshazor Everett enrolled at Texas A&M University in 2011, majoring in agricultural leadership and development. He joined the Aggies' football program as a true freshman safety, contributing on special teams and in the secondary. As a freshman in 2011, Everett appeared in 12 games, recording 10 tackles while helping the Aggies transition to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) under head coach Kevin Sumlin. In 2012, his sophomore year, he played in 12 games, tallying 56 tackles (31 solo), 3 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown against Alabama), while contributing on kick coverage units as Texas A&M achieved a 11-2 record and a Cotton Bowl victory. Everett transitioned to a starting role in 2013 as a junior, starting all 13 games at safety and recording 73 tackles (36 solo), 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 7 pass breakups. That season, he had a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown against SMU and helped bolster the secondary amid a high-powered offense led by quarterback Johnny Manziel. The Aggies finished 9-4. In his senior year of 2014, Everett started all 13 games, finishing with 73 tackles (45 solo), 1 interception, and 7 pass breakups. He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a career-high 16 tackles against Arkansas. Everett continued to excel on special teams, notably in kickoff coverage, as Texas A&M posted an 8-5 record and defeated West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl. Over his four seasons, Everett totaled 218 tackles, 5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and significant special teams snaps, evolving from a reserve into a reliable SEC defender known for his coverage skills and tackling in open space.[20][17][21] Following the 2014 season, Everett declared for the 2015 NFL Draft, positioning himself as a projected undrafted free agent due to his size (5'11", 200 lbs) but drawing interest for his ball skills and special teams value.Professional career
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After going undrafted in the 2015 NFL Draft following a college career at Texas A&M, Deshazor Everett signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2015.[22] The Buccaneers added him to their roster as a cornerback, part of a group of 13 undrafted rookies, with the team viewing him as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing in multiple roles.[23] Everett participated in the Buccaneers' organized team activities (OTAs) and early training camp sessions in July 2015, where he competed primarily for a spot on special teams and as a depth defensive back.[24] However, he did not appear in any preseason games, as the team waived him on July 28, 2015, shortly after the start of training camp, to make room for other players.[25] Everett did not make the Buccaneers' 53-man roster and had no regular-season appearances during his brief time with the team.[26] His release came amid roster adjustments as the Buccaneers prepared for the upcoming season, marking the end of his short stint with the organization.[24]Washington Redskins / Football Team
Everett joined the Washington Redskins in 2015 after a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signing with the team on August 1 before being waived and re-added to the practice squad on September 8. He was promoted to the active roster on October 3, appearing in 11 games that season primarily on special teams, where he contributed to coverage and tackling units without recording a defensive start.[27][28][29] In 2016 and 2017, Everett solidified his role as a special teams ace, logging over 200 special teams snaps each year while gradually earning defensive reps. His 2017 season marked a significant progression, as he transitioned to strong safety and started eight of 14 games, recording 62 tackles and a forced fumble, including a season-high 11 tackles in a December loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. This performance led to a two-year contract extension worth $2.6 million signed on March 6, 2018, reflecting his growing value to the defense and special teams.[30] By 2018, Everett had emerged as a special teams captain for the Redskins, playing all 16 games with three starts and securing his first career interception, while amassing consistent tackles in coverage roles. He retained the captaincy in 2019 and signed another three-year extension through 2022 on November 3, but injuries limited him to seven games that year, culminating in his placement on injured reserve on December 7 due to ankle and shoulder issues. The team's rebranding to the Washington Football Team in 2020 did not alter his contributions, as he started six of 11 games at free safety before suffering a torn pectoral muscle in a December 13 win over the San Francisco 49ers, leading to his placement on injured reserve on December 17.[31][32][33] In 2021, under the Washington Football Team banner, Everett returned to a rotational defensive role alongside heavy special teams duties, playing 14 games without a start and focusing on depth support amid the secondary's transitions. Over his seven seasons with the franchise—spanning the Redskins, Football Team, and into the early Commanders era—he appeared in 89 games, accumulating over 1,000 special teams snaps and progressively increasing his defensive involvement from backup to occasional starter. Everett was released by the Washington Commanders on March 16, 2022.[1][34]Career statistics
Regular season
Deshazor Everett played in 89 regular-season games over seven seasons with the Washington Redskins/Football Team from 2015 to 2021, primarily as a special teams contributor with periodic defensive roles.[1] His defensive statistics are detailed in the table below, showing year-by-year performance in games played and started, tackles, interceptions, passes defended, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries.[1]| Year | Team | G | GS | Solo | Ast | Comb | INT | PD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | WAS | 11 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | WAS | 16 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | WAS | 14 | 8 | 41 | 21 | 62 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | WAS | 16 | 3 | 17 | 9 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | WAS | 7 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | WAS | 11 | 6 | 23 | 8 | 31 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | WAS | 14 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Playoffs
Everett's postseason experience was limited to a single appearance during his tenure with the Washington Redskins. His regular-season contributions on special teams earned him a spot on the playoff roster for the 2015 season.[1] In the NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 10, 2016, against the Green Bay Packers, Everett played 26 special teams snaps but none on defense or offense, recording one solo tackle in Washington's 35–18 loss. The Redskins had clinched the NFC East division with a 9–7 record, marking their first playoff berth since 2012, but were eliminated in the opening round by the Packers, who advanced to the Divisional Round.[35][36]| Year | Team | Games Played | Games Started | Combined Tackles | Solo Tackles | Assisted Tackles | Interceptions | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | WAS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |