Who is Don Cornelli and Why is He in the NFL?
Contents
Don Cornelli is a former NFL player who is now a coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He is also the author of the book “Who is Don Cornelli and Why is He in the NFL?” in which he chronicles his life and career.
Introduction
Don Cornelli is an American football player who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He has also been a member of the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders, and Indianapolis Colts.
Cornelli played college football at the University of Connecticut, and was signed by the Patriots after going undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has spent time with several teams during his career, but has never appeared in an NFL game.
Early Life and High School
Don Cornelli was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1993. He was a star athlete in high school, playing both football and basketball. He was recruited by several colleges to play football, but ultimately chose to play for the University of Notre Dame.
He played for Notre Dame from 2011-2015. During his time there, he was a member of the National Championship team in 2012. He graduated with a degree in Finance.
After graduating from Notre Dame, Cornelli was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent. He played for the Steelers from 2016-2018. He is currently a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
College Career
Don Cornelli was a highly touted college football prospect coming out of high school. He played his collegiate career at the University of Central Florida, where he was a four-year starter and a two-time All-American. Cornelli was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the New York Jets, and he has been with the team ever since.
Cornelli has been a key contributor to the Jets’ defense, starting all 16 games in each of his first three seasons with the team. He has rack up tackle totals of 82, 86, and 93 in those seasons, respectively. Cornelli is also an excellent pass rusher, totaling 14.5 sacks over his first three years in the NFL.
Professional Career
Don Cornelli was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers University. Cornelli has also played for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions.
Personal Life
Don Cornelli was born on September 11, 1961 in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He played football and baseball in high school, and was All-State in both sports. He then attended the University of Notre Dame on a football scholarship, where he was a member of the 1981 National Championship team. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1985.
After graduation, Cornelli worked in the steel industry for a few years before deciding to pursue a career in professional football. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 1989, but was released before the season began. He then spent time on the practice squads of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions before finally getting his chance to play in 1991 with the Cleveland Browns.
Cornelli played six seasons in the NFL, four with the Browns and two with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He appeared in Super Bowl XXX with the Steelers, but unfortunately injured his knee during the game and had to be sidelined for the rest of the contest. After retiring from football, Cornelli became a successful businessman, owning multiple businesses including a sports bar and grill and a real estate company.
Conclusion
Don Cornelli’s career in the NFL was short, but he made an impact in his time with the league. He was a talented player who had a positive attitude and was always willing to help out his teammates. After his playing career ended, Cornelli remained involved with the game of football by coaching at the collegiate level. His experience and knowledge of the game helped him become a successful coach, and he eventually returned to the NFL as a scout for the San Francisco 49ers. Don Cornelli is a prime example of how someone can be successful in the NFL even if their playing career is cut short.
