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{{Short description|American football player and coach (1958–2009)}}
{{onesource|date=January 2015}}
{{for|the American ragtime piano composer|Mel B. Kaufman}}
{{Infobox NFL player
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
|image=
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
|position=[[Linebacker]]
{{Infobox NFL biography
|number=55
| name = Mel Kaufman
|birth_date={{Birth date|1958|2|24|mf=y}}
| position = [[Linebacker]]
|death_date={{death date and age|2009|2|7|1958|2|24}}
| number = 55
|death_place =[[San Luis Obispo, California]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1958|2|24|mf=y}}
|height_ft=6
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
|height_in=2
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|2|7|1958|2|24}}
|weight_lb=221
| death_place = [[San Luis Obispo, California]], U.S.
|debutyear=1981
| height_ft = 6
|finalyear=1988
| height_in = 2
|undraftedyear=1981
| weight_lb = 221
|highschool=[[Santa Monica High School|Santa Monica (CA)]]
| high_school = [[Santa Monica High School|Santa Monica]]<br/>([[Santa Monica, California]])
|college=[[Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo]]
| college = [[Cal Poly Mustangs football|Cal Poly]]
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki>
| undraftedyear = 1981
| pastteams =
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1981}}–{{NFL Year|1988}})
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1981}}–{{NFL Year|1988}})
| pastcoaching =
|statlabel1=[[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|1989}}–{{NFL Year|1998}})<br>Scouting advisor
|statvalue1=18.5
* [[Cal Poly Mustangs football|Cal Poly]] (2007–2008)<br>Linebackers coach
|statlabel2=[[Interception]]s
| highlights =
|statvalue2=7
* 2× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]], [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]])
|statlabel3=[[Touchdown]]s
* Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame (1993)
|statvalue3=2
| statlabel1 = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
|nfl=KAU355962
| statvalue1 = 19.0
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
| statlabel2 = [[Interception]]s
* Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame (1993)
| statvalue2 = 7
|birth_place=[[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| statlabel3 = [[Touchdown]]s
| statvalue3 = 2
| pfr = KaufMe20
}}
}}
'''Melvin Kaufman''' (February 24, 1958 – February 7, 2009) was an [[American football]] [[linebacker]] in the [[National Football League]] who played his entire eight-year career with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Cal Poly - California Polytechnic State University]].


'''Melvin Kaufman''' (February 24, 1958 – February 7, 2009) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who spent his entire eight-year career as a [[linebacker]] for the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). He played [[college football]] for the [[Cal Poly Mustangs football|Cal Poly Mustangs]].
==Biography==


===Early life===
==Early life==
Kaufman was born in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and attended [[Santa Monica High School]] in [[Santa Monica, California]], where he earned two [[varsity letter]]s while playing [[high school football]].<ref name=calpoly>{{cite web | work=Cal Poly Athletic Site | url=http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29891&article_id=65081 | title=Cal Poly Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Winner Mel Kaufman Dies | accessdate=2009-02-10}}</ref>
Kaufman was born in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] and attended [[Santa Monica High School]] in [[Santa Monica, California]],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Scroggin |first=Joshua D. |date=April 24, 2009 |title=A Dream Cut Tragically Short: Mel Kaufman Loved Everything About Cal Poly and Was Living a Second Dream as an Assistant Coach Before Dying Suddenly |pages=S1 |work=The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA)}}</ref> where he earned two [[varsity letter]]s while playing [[high school football]].


===College career===
==College career==
Kaufman played four seasons of [[college football]] at [[California Polytechnic State University|Cal Poly]] after being [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirted]] in 1976. In 1978, he recovered a blocked [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]] against [[Portland State University]]. In 1979, he recorded 67 tackles and two [[interception]]s. During Cal Poly's 1980 national championship season, Kaufman returned an interception 79 yards for a [[touchdown]] against [[California State University, Northridge]].<ref name=calpoly />
Kaufman played four seasons of [[college football]] at [[Cal Poly Mustangs football|Cal Poly]] after being [[Redshirt (college sports)|redshirted]] in 1976. In 1978, he recovered a blocked [[Punt (gridiron football)|punt]] against [[Portland State Vikings football|Portland State]].


During Cal Poly's [[1980 Cal Poly Mustangs football team|1980 national championship season]], Kaufman returned an interception 79 yards for a [[touchdown]] against [[Cal State Northridge Matadors football|Cal State Northridge]].<ref name="calpoly">{{cite web |title=Cal Poly Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Winner Mel Kaufman Dies |url=http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29891&article_id=65081 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214234951/http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29891&article_id=65081 |archivedate=2009-02-14 |accessdate=2009-02-10 |work=Cal Poly Athletic Site}}</ref>
Kaufman earned his bachelor’s degree in social science and industrial relations at Cal Poly in 1984.


Kaufman earned his bachelor's degree in social science and industrial relations at Cal Poly in 1984.
===Professional career===
Kaufman was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Washington Redskins]] in [[1981 Washington Redskins season|1981]], along with former Cal Poly teammate [[LeCharls McDaniel]], by Redskins [[General manager#Sports teams|general manager]] [[Bobby Beathard]].<ref name=calpoly /> A defensive team leader and team captain with the Redskins from 1981–88, Kaufman was a starting linebacker on three [[National Football Conference|NFC]] [[NFC Championship Game|championship teams]] (1982, 1983 and 1987). He played in three [[Super Bowl]]s with the Redskins, winning [[Super Bowl XVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]], and losing [[Super Bowl XVIII]]. Kaufman also was a scout for the Redskins in [[Super Bowl XXVI]].<ref name=calpoly />


Starting ahead of the 2010 season, [[Cal Poly Mustangs|Cal Poly]] created the Mel Kaufman Award, presented annually to the team's player who most exemplified Kaufman's virtues.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aird |first=Donovan |date=December 25, 2009 |title=The Tribune's Top Local Sports Stories of 2009 - 9. Former Poly Star, Coach Kaufman Dies at 50 |pages=S2 |work=San Luis Obispo Tribune}}</ref>
Kaufman announced his retirement from football on July 5, 1989. He started 78 of 91 games, recorded 18.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and five fumble recoveries.<ref name=calpoly />
{| class="wikitable"
|+Collegiate Statistics
!
!Tackles
!INT
!LG Ret.
!TD
|-
!Career
|146
|4
|79t
|1
|}


===Coaching career===
==Professional career==
Kaufman was signed as an [[undrafted free agent]] by the [[Washington Redskins]] in [[1981 Washington Redskins season|1981]], along with former Cal Poly teammate [[LeCharls McDaniel]], by Redskins [[General manager#Sports teams|general manager]] [[Bobby Beathard]].<ref name=calpoly /> A defensive team leader and team captain with the Redskins from 1981–88, Kaufman was a starting linebacker on three [[National Football Conference|NFC]] [[NFC Championship Game|championship teams]] (1982, 1983 and 1987). He played in three [[Super Bowl]]s with the Redskins, winning [[Super Bowl XVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]], and losing [[Super Bowl XVIII]]. Kaufman also was a scout for the Redskins in [[Super Bowl XXVI]].<ref name=calpoly />
After his playing career, Kaufman was a scouting supervisor for the Redskins from [[1989 Washington Redskins season|1989]] through [[1998 Washington Redskins season|1998]]. He then became a mental health counselor and [[high school football|football]], [[Basketball#U.S. high school basketball|basketball]] and [[baseball]] coach at Masada High School in [[Gardena, California]] from 2000–05 and a football official (youth and high school games) in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2006 and 2007.


Kaufman announced his retirement from football on July 5, 1989. He started 78 of 91 career NFL games, recording 18.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 586 total tackles<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 5, 1989 |title=Mel Kaufman retires from Redskins |work=UPI |publisher=UPI Archives}}</ref> and five fumble recoveries.<ref name=calpoly />
Kaufman had been out of football at the college and professional levels for about 10 years before he was hired as [[linebackers coach]] at Cal Poly in Spring 2007. He helped guide the Mustangs to an 8-3 record, a [[Great West Conference]] title and a berth in the [[2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Postseason|2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs]].<ref name=calpoly />


===Personal===
==Coaching career==
After his playing career, Kaufman was a scouting supervisor for the Redskins from [[1989 Washington Redskins season|1989]] through [[1998 Washington Redskins season|1998]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallner |first=Peter J. |date=October 8, 1993 |title=Kaufman will never forget day he got his big break |pages=C-1 |work=San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune}}</ref> He then became a mental health counselor and [[high school football|football]], [[Basketball#U.S. high school basketball|basketball]] and [[baseball]] coach at Masada High School in [[Gardena, California]] from 2000–05 and a football official (youth and high school games) in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2006 and 2007.
Kaufman served as an assistant manager at Blue Sky's, a moving and storage company in Los Angeles, in 1998 and 1999. As a volunteer, he was director of the minority internship program and a training camp director for the Redskins, worked with [[Big Brothers Big Sisters of America|Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington, D.C.]], served on the board of directors for the Northern Virginia chapter of the [[American Lung Association]] as well as the board of advisors for [http://www.vcbonline.com/ Virginia Commerce Bank]. Kaufman was also a spokesperson for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] and the [[United States Armed Forces|United States military]], working with and speaking to children and adults.<ref name=calpoly />


Kaufman had been out of football at the college and professional levels for about 10 years before he was hired as [[linebackers coach]] at Cal Poly in Spring 2008. He helped guide the Mustangs to an 8-3 record, a [[Great West Conference]] title and a berth in the [[2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season#Postseason|2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs]].<ref name=calpoly />
===Death===
Kaufman died in his Santa Margarita home about three weeks shy of his 51st birthday. An autopsy performed by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office revealed the cause of death as an intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to hemorrhagic [[pancreatitis]].<ref name=calpoly />


==References==
==Personal life==
Kaufman served as an assistant manager at Blue Sky's, a moving and storage company in Los Angeles, in 1998 and 1999. As a volunteer, he was director of the minority internship program and a training camp director for the Redskins, worked with [[Big Brothers Big Sisters of America|Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington, D.C.]], served on the board of directors for the Northern Virginia chapter of the [[American Lung Association]] as well as the board of advisors for Virginia Commerce Bank. Kaufman was also a spokesperson for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] and the [[United States Armed Forces|United States military]], working with and speaking to children and adults.<ref name=calpoly />
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==Death==
Kaufman died in his [[Santa Margarita, California|Santa Margarita]] home<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2009 |title=Ex-Redskin Kaufman, 50, dies |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN}}</ref> about three weeks shy of his 51st birthday. An autopsy performed by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office revealed the cause of death as an intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to hemorrhagic [[pancreatitis]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanchez |first=Omar |date=February 24, 2009 |title=Kaufman's impact reached beyond the gridiron |pages=12 |work=Mustang Daily}}</ref>
* [http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=hall_of_fame&id=182 Mel Kaufman Cal Poly Hall of Fame]

* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/02/09/kaufman.death.ap/index.html?eref=si_nfl Ex-Redskin Mel Kaufman dies at 50] at [[Sports Illustrated]].com
==References==
* [http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Kaufman__Linebacker_On_Super_Bowl_Teams__Passes_Away_31917.jsp Kaufman, Linebacker On Super Bowl Teams, Passes Away] at [[Washington Redskins|Redskins.com]]
{{Reflist}}


{{Super Bowl XVII}}
{{Super Bowl XVII}}
{{Super Bowl XXII}}
{{Super Bowl XXII}}
{{1980 Cal Poly Mustangs football navbox}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Kaufman, Mel
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player and coach
| DATE OF BIRTH = February 24, 1958
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| DATE OF DEATH = February 7, 2009
| PLACE OF DEATH = [[San Luis Obispo, California]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaufman, Mel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaufman, Mel}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:2009 deaths]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football coaches]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football players]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football players]]
[[Category:California Polytechnic State University alumni]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:Cal Poly Mustangs football coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins scouts]]
[[Category:Super Bowl champions]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Santa Monica, California]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Sports coaches from Los Angeles]]

Latest revision as of 23:48, 28 June 2024

For the American ragtime piano composer, see Mel B. Kaufman.

Mel Kaufman
No. 55
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1958-02-24)February 24, 1958
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died:February 7, 2009(2009-02-07) (aged 50)
San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Santa Monica
(Santa Monica, California)
College:Cal Poly
Undrafted:1981
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Sacks:19.0
Interceptions:7
Touchdowns:2
Player stats at PFR

Melvin Kaufman (February 24, 1958 – February 7, 2009) was an American professional football player who spent his entire eight-year career as a linebacker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cal Poly Mustangs.

Early life

[edit]

Kaufman was born in Los Angeles, California and attended Santa Monica High School in Santa Monica, California,[1] where he earned two varsity letters while playing high school football.

College career

[edit]

Kaufman played four seasons of college football at Cal Poly after being redshirted in 1976. In 1978, he recovered a blocked punt against Portland State.

During Cal Poly's 1980 national championship season, Kaufman returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown against Cal State Northridge.[2]

Kaufman earned his bachelor's degree in social science and industrial relations at Cal Poly in 1984.

Starting ahead of the 2010 season, Cal Poly created the Mel Kaufman Award, presented annually to the team's player who most exemplified Kaufman's virtues.[3]

Collegiate Statistics
Tackles INT LG Ret. TD
Career 146 4 79t 1

Professional career

[edit]

Kaufman was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins in 1981, along with former Cal Poly teammate LeCharls McDaniel, by Redskins general manager Bobby Beathard.[2] A defensive team leader and team captain with the Redskins from 1981–88, Kaufman was a starting linebacker on three NFC championship teams (1982, 1983 and 1987). He played in three Super Bowls with the Redskins, winning Super Bowl XVII and XXII, and losing Super Bowl XVIII. Kaufman also was a scout for the Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI.[2]

Kaufman announced his retirement from football on July 5, 1989. He started 78 of 91 career NFL games, recording 18.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 586 total tackles[4] and five fumble recoveries.[2]

Coaching career

[edit]

After his playing career, Kaufman was a scouting supervisor for the Redskins from 1989 through 1998.[5] He then became a mental health counselor and football, basketball and baseball coach at Masada High School in Gardena, California from 2000–05 and a football official (youth and high school games) in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2006 and 2007.

Kaufman had been out of football at the college and professional levels for about 10 years before he was hired as linebackers coach at Cal Poly in Spring 2008. He helped guide the Mustangs to an 8-3 record, a Great West Conference title and a berth in the 2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Kaufman served as an assistant manager at Blue Sky's, a moving and storage company in Los Angeles, in 1998 and 1999. As a volunteer, he was director of the minority internship program and a training camp director for the Redskins, worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington, D.C., served on the board of directors for the Northern Virginia chapter of the American Lung Association as well as the board of advisors for Virginia Commerce Bank. Kaufman was also a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States military, working with and speaking to children and adults.[2]

Death

[edit]

Kaufman died in his Santa Margarita home[6] about three weeks shy of his 51st birthday. An autopsy performed by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office revealed the cause of death as an intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to hemorrhagic pancreatitis.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Scroggin, Joshua D. (April 24, 2009). "A Dream Cut Tragically Short: Mel Kaufman Loved Everything About Cal Poly and Was Living a Second Dream as an Assistant Coach Before Dying Suddenly". The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, CA). pp. S1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Cal Poly Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Winner Mel Kaufman Dies". Cal Poly Athletic Site. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.
  3. ^ Aird, Donovan (December 25, 2009). "The Tribune's Top Local Sports Stories of 2009 - 9. Former Poly Star, Coach Kaufman Dies at 50". San Luis Obispo Tribune. pp. S2.
  4. ^ "Mel Kaufman retires from Redskins". UPI. UPI Archives. July 5, 1989.
  5. ^ Wallner, Peter J. (October 8, 1993). "Kaufman will never forget day he got his big break". San Luis Obispo Telegram-Tribune. pp. C-1.
  6. ^ "Ex-Redskin Kaufman, 50, dies". ESPN. Associated Press. February 9, 2009.
  7. ^ Sanchez, Omar (February 24, 2009). "Kaufman's impact reached beyond the gridiron". Mustang Daily. p. 12.
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