Don Summers

Summers was born on February 22, 1961, in Grants Pass, Oregon. He attended Eagle Point High School in Eagle Point before transferring to North Medford High School in Medford. In high school, he was a top basketball player and played as a center, earning Skyline League player of the year honors in 1978. At Oregon Tech, he played basketball, being selected an honorable mention NAIA District 2 all-star as a sophomore when he averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds per game. After getting married, Summers moved and transferred to Boise State University in 1983 with no money "other than what he'd borrowed from his mother ... no jobs, [and] no friends except for Boise State assistant basketball coach Mike Conklin". He changed his position from center to power forward but was not in a position to receive much playing time. He was encouraged by football coaches to join the football team but was initially skeptical. Eventually, he talked with the head coach who told him that "If you come out and show you're not afraid to hit, you've got a scholarship next season". He decided to join the Boise State Broncos football team as a tight end, though he was injured for much of the 1982 season. As a senior in 1983, he caught 25 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. ==Professional career and later life==

Summers signed with the Oakland Invaders of the United States Football League (USFL) on January 8, 1984, but was then released on January 30. After going unselected in the 1984 NFL draft, he signed with the Denver Broncos on May 2, 1984, as an undrafted free agent. Summers impressed coach Dan Reeves with a touchdown he scored in preseason against the Washington Redskins and ultimately made the team as an H-back. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals and ended up appearing in all 16 games for the Broncos during the 1984 season. He started one game, against the San Diego Chargers, and recorded three receptions for 32 yards on the season. Summers signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 2, 1986. Despite performing well in training camp, he was waived by the Packers on August 25. After being released, he returned to Idaho and began selling cars. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, he went 402 days without catching a football or lifting a barbell, and the "furthest thing from his mind was pro football". He was waived by the Packers on August 21, 1988, ending his professional career. After his NFL career, he was interviewed by The Idaho Statesman and said that he could have played longer if he had used steroids, "But I didn't want to share my accomplishments with a syringe or pill". He was also outspoken against teen steroid use. ==References==