Reed Doughty (born November 4, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He spent his entire eight-year NFL career with the Redskins and also played college football for the Northern Colorado Bears.
Doughty is best known for taking over the starting job at free safety following the injury and subsequent death of Sean Taylor as well as for his public work to support organ donation, particularly for Americans with kidney disease.
High School Career Doughty grew up in Johnstown, Colorado where he attended Roosevelt High School. Despite being diagnosed with hearing loss in kindergarten—a condition he managed by sitting at the front of classrooms and relying on hand signals on the field—he excelled as a three-sport letter winner. His impact on Roosevelt’s football program ultimately led to the retirement of his jersey number (24).
College career Doughty stayed local for college, attending Northern Colorado where he became the schools first-ever three-time Academic All-American, graduating with a degree in Sports and Exercise Science with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Doughty was also a finalist for the Draddy Trophy award (also known as the "Academic Heisman") following his senior year.
As of 2025, Doughty ranks third overall in the program history for career total tackles (466), and tied for fifth all-time in career interceptions (14). Doughty also holds the Bears single-season record for tackles (159) and the single-game record for tackles (21) against Nebraska-Omaha on October 5, 2002.
Professional career
Washington Redskins
Doughty was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. In 2007, Doughty switched his jersey number to 37 from 23, which he wore in his rookie season. He had his first career start in Week 11 of the 2007 season against the Dallas Cowboys. In the 2010 season, he recorded a career high of 93 tackles as well as one sack, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
In 2011, Doughty was re-signed by the Redskins to a three-year contract. Throughout the 2011 season, he played as the backup to both free safety, Oshiomogho Atogwe, and strong safety, LaRon Landry, splitting the responsibility with DeJon Gomes. Before the start of the 2013 season, Doughty was elected by his teammates to be the Redskins' special teams captain.
Doughty finished his Redskins career with 506 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His 506 career tackles places him third overall in franchise history.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Regular season Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2006 WAS 10 0 14 11 3 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2007 WAS 16 6 53 32 21 0.5 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2008 WAS 4 3 19 15 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2009 WAS 15 7 91 75 16 2.0 6 1 13 0 13 3 0 1 0 0 2010 WAS 15 9 93 54 39 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 2011 WAS 16 11 88 58 30 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2012 WAS 16 10 69 44 25 0.0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2013 WAS 15 8 80 47 33 0.0 1 1 25 0 25 2 0 0 0 0 Career 107 54 507 336 171 3.5 12 3 39 0 25 11 3 2 0 0
Playoffs Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD 2007 WAS 1 0 5 4 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2012 WAS 1 1 13 7 6 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 Career 2 1 18 11 7 2.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Personal Doughty has severe hearing impairment and sometimes has to read lips to understand what others are saying.
In 2002, Doughty married his girlfriend Katie. They met several years earlier at 3J's Christian Coffeehouse in Johnstown, Colorado, his hometown while they were both in high school. The Doughtys had a baby in August 2006, a son named Micah. Micah was born prematurely and suffered kidney failure as a baby, but received a successful kidney transplant and is now doing well. The Doughtys also had a daughter and are currently living in northern Colorado.
Doughty is a Christian.
References
External links Washington Redskins bio UNC Bears bio