Rod Barksdale

Rod Barksdale (born September 8, 1962) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. He practiced track & field in college with the Arizona Wildcats.

Early life Barksdale attended Compton High School where he was a track and field All-American. In 1980, he finished second in state in the 440-yard dash. He did not play football in high school or college. As a rookie, he was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury.

The next year, he had a notable preseason and made the team. In the season opener against the Denver Broncos, he caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Marc Wilson. Even though he was considered as a raw player, he still appeared in all 16 games with 15 starts, registering 18 receptions for 434 yards and 2 touchdowns.

At the start of his third season, a surplus of wide receivers made him expendable in the eyes of Raiders management. On August 2, 1987, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for cornerback Ron Fellows.

Dallas Cowboys In 1987, he was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys for depth purposes, after the team waived wide receiver Tony Hill. Even though the team lost wide receivers Mike Sherrard and Ray Alexander during the preseason, Barksdale still couldn't earn a starting job, appearing in 15 games with one start, while posting 12 receptions for 165 yards and one touchdown.

The next year, he injured his right knee in the Blue-White scrimmage and was placed on the injured reserve list. He was waived on July 10, 1989.

Los Angeles Raiders (second stint) In 1990, he was signed as a free agent by the Los Angeles Raiders and was released on August 28.

Personal life After football, he started a video surveillance company.