Virginia Beach, Va. - Norfolk State corner back Don Carey was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round, 177 overall pick, of the 2009 National Football League Draft.  Carey is the first Norfolk State player to be drafted to the NFL since the Spartans moved up to Division I in 1997.

Carey was a four-year starter for the Spartans who drew a lot of attention during his post season workouts.  He earned  All-MEAC second-team honors as a junior and again as a senior.  He recorded eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups his junior and senior seasons.

As a senior in 2008, Carey tied for the MEAC lead with five interceptions. He also deflected six passes and scored two touchdowns, on a 94-yard interception return against Morgan State and a 49-yard fumble return the following week against Delaware State.

The MEAC has had one or more student-athletes earn a draft selection to the NFL for the past 33 years, dating back to 1974.  Carey’s draft also marks the 17th straight year that an MEAC student-athlete has been drafted to the NFL since the conference earned the Division I-AA (FCS) automatic bid in 1980. 

"I’m very glad to get this opportunity, because very few people get a chance to experience this,” Carey said. “It was a long process getting to this weekend, and I’m glad it’s over. But I can’t wait to go to Cleveland and meet with coach (Eric) Mangini. Now it’s time for me to start preparing.”

Carey capped his stellar career by becoming the first-ever Spartan to be selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game in January. In his four years at NSU, Carey posted 179 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions and 35 pass deflections.