Dat Nguyen, born September 25, 1975, was the first Vietnamese American to play in the NFL. He attended Texas A&M and eventually left as the career record holder of 51 consecutive starts, 517 career tackles and a 10.7 tackles-per-game average. In 1999, Nguyen was drafted in the third round to the Dallas Cowboys. Though small – 5’11’’ 238 lbs. – he was an incredibly explosive middle linebacker. His speed and range enabled him to transition seamlessly into Dallas' version of 4-3 scheme defense. Nguyen led the Cowboys in tackles during the 2001, 2003, and 2004 seasons. Unfortunately, after sustaining a neck injury in the 2005 season, he was forced to retire from the NFL in 2006. The new Cowboys coach, Wade Phillips, hired Nguyen in 2007 as an assistant linebacker coach. Nguyen and his wife, Becky, have two daughters.
[Now to placate my editors]
Thao Nguyen, a Virginian-born songwriter (Virginia sounds like Vietnam, right?) is out of the studio and ready to release a new album. On January 29 of next year, Thao is scheduled to release her first album for Kill Rock Stars, which will be her follow-up to Like the Linen (released on a small Virginia label). The title for the new album is We Brave Bee Stings and All, and yes, that is the correct title. Not necessarily Gertrude Stein level, but she’s young.
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