Sandusky legend Thom Darden talks sports, life with Blue Streaks

SANDUSKY — Thom Darden stood in front of a group of about 100 Sandusky High School athletes on Thursday afternoon, a link to the Blue Streaks' glorious past imparting wisdom on the school's current group of athletes. Darden, a 1968 SHS graduate who went on to become a star football player at the University of Michigan and then the Cleveland Browns, had the attention of everyone in the room. "You guys can compete with anybody in the state," Darden told the group of athletes and coaches representing several sports. "You just have to believe that." Darden touched on highlights of his playing career and pushed the power of dedication and teamwork. "Are you willing to sacrifice the time from your phone or any other distractions that keep you from being a better player?" he asked. Darden said he was determined to get a college scholarship after his father told him the family couldn't afford the cost of higher education. He also urged the teens in the room to listen to their coaches. "I have a hard time with guys who think they're smarter than their coach and are unwilling to do what is necessary each day in practice." Darden was moved from defensive back to linebacker as a senior at Sandusky, even though he thought he was undersized at 173 pounds. He credits the move with making him tough enough to play defensive back in the Big Ten and later in the NFL. He was an All-American at Michigan and a first-round draft pick by the Browns. He still holds Cleveland's all-time interceptions record with 45. Darden said his first love was basketball. He was the MVP in the North-South All-Star Game after his senior season. Michigan basketball coach Johnny Orr wanted Darden to play two sports for the Wolverines, but football coach Bo Schembechler nixed that idea. Darden said that when he arrived at Michigan there were only four Black players on the football team. That changed quickly. "It was during a time when race relations were really tough. It was segregated," he said. "But by the time I left, we were one team, we all hung out together. That was probably the most fulfilling thing in my career." He said he met a player at Michigan who had never played with a Black teammate. Darden said they eventually became friends. "The sport can introduce you to guys you'd never meet and hang out with," he said. "Nobody looks at color."