UNC Football: Top 10 Tar Heels selected in NFL Draft since 1980
By John Ellis
Buddy Curry (No. 36 overall, 1980 NFL Draft)
After being a defensive juggernaut at George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia, Buddy Curry decided to make the 56 mile journey to Chapel Hill. He would be part of a defense that included the legendary Lawrence Taylor. Curry was a solid defender that could provide gap support in the run game and pass coverage in the passing game. While completing his UNC Football career in 1979, linebacker Buddy Curry had become known as a tough and versatile player that left nothing on the field. In recognition of that, he had earned First Team All-ACC honors and was now ready to move on to the next level.
Curry would be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. He was a starter on day one and he would go on to earn the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award following the 1980 season and play in 109 games. He would also receive two All-Pro selections during his eight year career, all with the Falcons. He was Atlanta’s leading tackler in six of his eight seasons. He would retire after the 1987 season and in 2019 was inducted into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame.
After his playing career was over, Curry stayed active in the game. According to the Atlanta Falcon team site, “In 2002, Curry founded Kids & Pros, a non-profit corporation that connects retired NFL players to children, ages of 7 to 13, to help teach the fundamentals of the game. Curry has also been certified as a master trainer with USA Football that allows him to train other coaches on the “Heads Up Football” program to ensure the game of football is being instructed in the right way with safety in mind, first and foremost.” Curry continues that work today.