Dawan Landry
A hard-hitting safety who anchored NFL secondaries for a decade, known for his intelligence and consistency on the field.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player·Birthday: December 30·Millennials
Biography
Dawan Landry’s path to the NFL was not that of a heralded prospect, but of a determined student of the game. Drafted in the fifth round by the Baltimore Ravens in 2006, he stepped into a defense famous for its ferocity and immediately proved he belonged. Landry wasn't just a physical presence; his film study and understanding of offensive schemes made him a reliable last line of defense and a consistent tackler. After five seasons in Baltimore, he brought his steadying influence to Jacksonville and later the New York Jets, carving out a nine-year career defined by durability and football IQ. His tenure is a testament to the value of a player who may not always make the highlight reel, but whose absence is immediately felt by his team.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Dawan was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dawan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Dawan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Started all 16 games as a rookie for the Baltimore Ravens, recording five interceptions and 69 tackles.
- Played in 131 NFL games over nine seasons, demonstrating remarkable durability for a safety.
- Recorded a career-high 111 combined tackles during the 2010 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Member of a Ravens defense that consistently ranked among the league's top units in the late 2000s.
Did You Know?
His younger brother, LaRon Landry, was also a first-round NFL safety, making them a notable brother tandem in the league.
He played college football at Georgia Tech, where he was a teammate of wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
He intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger in his very first NFL game, a rivalry matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“I just wanted to prove I could play at that level.”
