27 Facts About Tom Cousineau

Thomas Michael Cousineau was born on May 6,1957 and is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the Canadian Football League and National Football League for nine seasons during the 1970s and 1980s.

Tom Cousineau played college football for Ohio State University, and twice earned All-American honors.

Tom Cousineau was the first overall pick of the 1979 NFL draft, and played professionally for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes and the NFL's Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers.

Tom Cousineau is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, elected in the class of 2016.

Tom Cousineau is a member of the Ohio State Varsity "O" Hall of Fame, inducted in 1995, and St Edward High School Hall of Fame.

Tom Cousineau was the recipient of the Silver Anniversary Butkus Award in 2003.

Tom Cousineau's mother did not want him to play football under the shadow of his father.

Tom Cousineau excelled and was one of the most highly recruited football players in the country in his senior year.

Tom Cousineau attended Ohio State University, where he played for legendary coach Woody Hayes' Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1975 to 1978.

Tom Cousineau was a consensus first-team All-American, breaking the school record with 211 tackles in a single season in 1978, an average of 17.5 a game.

Tom Cousineau broke the school record for most tackles in a game with 29 against Penn State in 1978, and was the MVP of the 1977 Orange Bowl.

Tom Cousineau was named an All-American in 1977 and 1978.

Tom Cousineau instead signed with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes, who signed him for double the money originally offered by the Bills.

Tom Cousineau became a star for the Alouettes, becoming the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player in the 1979 season.

Tom Cousineau only played in four games in his third season because of an elbow injury while the Alouettes collapsed.

In 1982, Tom Cousineau wanted to return to the NFL, choosing to forego two optional years with the Alouettes.

Tom Cousineau signed a five-year contract for $2.5 million, the highest contract ever at the time by the Browns.

Tom Cousineau was named 2nd-team all NFL by the AP in 1984, but never made the Pro Bowl in his career.

Tom Cousineau and his agent blamed his departure from Cleveland on false rumors that Tom Cousineau was a homosexual, a charge Browns owner Art Modell denied.

On September 3,1986, Tom Cousineau was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco 49ers.

Tom Cousineau played two years as a reserve before retiring in 1987.

Tom Cousineau finished his NFL career with ten interceptions and 6.5 career sacks.

Tom Cousineau later went on to be the linebackers coach at St Edward High School, where he had played football during his high school years.

In 1983, Tom Cousineau was arrested in connection with minor collision with a police car on Saint Patrick's Day He was charged with drunk driving, improperly using traffic lanes, and not having his driver's license.

Tom Cousineau subsequently was found not guilty of the drunk driving charge, but was found guilty of the moving violation.

Tom Cousineau married his wife Lisa on June 16,1990, and the two have 2 daughters, Kyle and Kacey.

On February 8,2006, Tom Cousineau announced plans to run for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives as a Republican in the Akron, Ohio area.