Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

Kind of an interesting player. Very tall for a CB at 6'4", yet was a 9-year starter and played at a high level. Wore glasses. Was a late round draft choice out of Coryell's San Diego State program, but became an immediate starter for the Eagles. Went to the Redskins where he was also an immediate starter, and earned 2 pro bowls in 1979 and 1980 (and an NFL Films All-Pro CB Saviors Saints Sinners selection alongside Lester Hayes). A nickleback on the 1982 Redskins champion team, then retired.

*Has there ever been a 6'5" CB who had a long NFL career?
*Why was Lavender sent to Washington after the 1975 season?
*Why did Lavender retire when he did? The Redskins could have really used him in 1983. He definitely could not have been worse than Anthony Washington. Was there any talk at the time of the Redskins trying to bring Lavender back?

Lavender was in the midst of a contract dispute and new Eagles coach Dick Vermeil told him to report to camp or he'd be gone. He refused and on 8/4/76, he was traded to the Skins for Manny Sistrunk and three future picks.

After Vernon Dean took over his spot in '82 and the Skins drafted Darrell Green with their top pick, Lavender retired in April 1983.

Bryan wrote:Kind of an interesting player. Very tall for a CB at 6'4", yet was a 9-year starter and played at a high level. Wore glasses. Was a late round draft choice out of Coryell's San Diego State program, but became an immediate starter for the Eagles. Went to the Redskins where he was also an immediate starter, and earned 2 pro bowls in 1979 and 1980 (and an NFL Films All-Pro CB Saviors Saints Sinners selection alongside Lester Hayes). A nickleback on the 1982 Redskins champion team, then retired.

*Has there ever been a 6'5" CB who had a long NFL career?
*Why was Lavender sent to Washington after the 1975 season?
*Why did Lavender retire when he did? The Redskins could have really used him in 1983. He definitely could not have been worse than Anthony Washington. Was there any talk at the time of the Redskins trying to bring Lavender back?

I believe he's the tallest who started for more tan 5 seasons. Lenny Walls, who played for Denver, Kansas City and St. Louis from 2002-2007 was also 6'4", but only had one season as a full-time starter.

It's interesting that in his first six seasons in Washington, Lavender was a starter each game at RCB, then in 1982 he only started once and missed two games.

In 1980, Lavender went to the Pro Bowl, but was snubbed by the All-Pro teams. Alongside Lester Hayes, the AP selected Pat Thomas, while Mike Haynes and Lavender's teammate, Lemar Parrish, were selected to the second team.

After retirement, Joe continued to play tough on D...

Chicago Tribune
-- Joe Lavender, former cornerback for the Washington...
July 19, 1986
By Rich Lorenz.
-- Joe Lavender, former cornerback for the Washington Redskins, has pleaded innocent by reason of insanity to charges stemming from a jailhouse brawl that left three San Diego County deputies injured. Lavender was held for trial Sept. 4 on three counts of battery. Court records said Lavender became involved in a scuffle while being booked Jan. 30 into the El Cajon Jail after being arrested for carrying an illegal knife. Lavender failed to appear for an initial hearing on the battery charges. Deputy David Knight testified that Lavender threw him onto a desk and the floor after trying to grab his mug shot and some papers from the desk. Sheriff`s Sgt. Joseph Lopez and Deputy Debra Sue Hinchcliffe said they were injured when they tried to subdue Lavender.
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During his playing days, Lavender was also known for wearing golf gloves, in an era where most players didn't wear any gloves.

The three draft picks the Eagles got for Lavender never panned out:

#6 in 1977: Martin Mitchell
#5 in 1978: Norris Banks
#4 in 1979: Ben Cowins

Not sure about the eventual disposition of his 1986 court case, but he pleaded innocent by reason of insanity.

More woes for Joe: in October 1995, he was critically injured after he smashed up his car while driving drunk.