Derrick Blaylock (born March 2, 1979) is a former American professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2002 to 2006.
Early life and education
Blayford was born in Dallas, Texas. He attended Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, where he participated in football and track and field. After high school, he enrolled at Texas A&M University–Kingsville (formerly Texas A&I University), playing college football for the Javelinas.
College career
At Texas A&M–Kingsville, Blaylock was a productive running back, accumulating over 2,000 rushing yards and numerous touchdowns across his collegiate career. His performance earned him All-Conference honors and drew attention from NFL scouts.
Professional career
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Kansas City Chiefs (2002–2006): Blaylock entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Chiefs in 2002. He served primarily as a backup and special‑teams player, contributing as a situational runner and return specialist. Over five seasons with Kansas City, he recorded 1,038 rushing yards, 6 rushing touchdowns, and 1,435 return yards.
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Subsequent teams: After leaving the Chiefs, Blaylock had brief stints with the Detroit Lions (2007) and participated in training camps for other NFL clubs, though he did not appear in regular‑season games for those organizations.
Post‑NFL activities
Following his playing career, Blaylock has been involved in community outreach programs, particularly those focused on youth sports and mentorship. He has also participated in alumni events for the Chiefs and occasionally appears in media commentary regarding football.
Personal life
Blaylock resides in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. He is married and has children. Details regarding his personal pursuits beyond football are limited in publicly available sources.
Legacy and recognition
While not a Hall of Fame inductee, Blaylock is remembered by Kansas City Chiefs fans for his reliable special‑teams play and contributions during the early 2000s. His career exemplifies the role of undrafted players who achieve multi‑year NFL tenure through perseverance and versatility.