LORMAN, Miss. – A first round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, Alcorn State University football legend John Thierry passed away from a heart attack over the weekend.
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Thierry was 46 years old.
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Born in Houston, Texas, Thierry came to Alcorn in 1989Â and was recruited to play tight end. During the 1991 season, Alcorn head coach Cardell Jones moved him to the defensive side of the ball where he shined. Although still learning to play the linebacker position, Thierry recorded 11 tackles, two tackles for a loss and recovered two fumbles over the final half of the season.
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In 1992, Thierry had a breakout year with 56 tackles, four sacks and four fumble recoveries. He anchored an Alcorn defense that helped the Braves go 7-0 in conference and win the SWAC title. It's the last time Alcorn has gone undefeated in the SWAC.
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Thierry's final year at Alcorn in 1993 saw him wrap-up a whopping 119 tackles to go along with nine sacks. He earned a spot on the NCAA All-America Second-Team and All-SWAC First-Team.
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Alcorn never lost a game at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium with Thierry on the roster.
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At 6-4, 248 pounds, Thierry blazed a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash and was selected as the No. 11 pick in the first round in the 1994 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.
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He played nine seasons in the NFL. In 131 games, Thierry started 70 times with 158 tackles, 33.5 sacks and seven fumble recoveries.
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Thierry is one of just three Alcornites to ever be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft along with Roynell Young in 1980 and Steve McNair in 1995.
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#FearTheBrave
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