Former Indian Darius Slay traded to Philadelphia

Fulton, Miss. - Former Itawamba Community College football star Darius Slay was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday morning from the Detroit Lions.

Slay, who was drafted by the Lions in as the 36th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, spent eight seasons in the Motor City and was selected to the Pro Bowl three consecutive seasons, 2017-19. He also was named First-Team All-Pro in 2017.

The cornerback from Brunswick, Ga. has 19 career interceptions, 104 passes defended and 296 total tackles in 103 games in his NFL career, and his eight interceptions in the 2017 season was tied for best in the league.

He is coming off the 2019 season where he played in 14 games and picked up 36 total tackles with 13 passes defended and two interceptions.

In the trade,  the Eagles extended his contract to three years, worth $50 million with $30 million guaranteed, making the 29-year-old the highest paid cornerback in the NFL.  

According to Pro Football Focus, Slay is ranked 83rd, a ranking that Super Bowl champion and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Tyrann Mathieu disagreed with as he tweeted, "Sorry my guys, he is not the 83rd best CB. That is a lie that some will believe. #WatchTheTape he play man to man every down, even when he shouldn't, he manned up. Tough duty, only 1 percent of the works can do."

Slay took to his own twitter to say his farewell to the city and team which drafted him saying, "Detroit! Ya'll have been so good to me & my family. I'm going to miss all the fans & showing the city love. I appreciate the fans, coaches, staff & City. Nothing but love & respect to y'all." He also added to the tweet letting his new team know he is ready saying, "To my Eagles fans, ya boil is READY TO WORK!"

Before his time in the pros or at Mississippi State, where he was a standout for two years, Slay spent two years in Fulton, also as a standout athlete. During his freshman season, Slay earned First-Team Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) All-State and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Region 23 honors after recording 41 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack and forced two fumbles in only five games.

His freshman campaign also earned him Preseason Second-Team All-American honors from JC Gridwire.

Slay picked up 32 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, while hauling in three catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. He earned MACJC First-Team All-State honors on defense and special teams and played in all nine games.

Slay returned to the Fulton Campus in 2016, shared memories with coaches and talked about where his college journey began. "I had a great experience here," said Slay. "I got a great education, and I look at Mississippi as the JUCO of the SEC of junior college so it taught me a lot and it got me prepared for where I am now." 

During his time at Mississippi State, Slay recorded 64 total tackles and six interceptions. 

Slay will join another former Indian in Philadelphia as ICC Athletic Hall of Fame member Duce Staley is the Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach for the Eagles.

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