Deshazor Dontee’ Everett (born February 22, 1992) is an American former professional footballsafety and special teamer. He played college football at Texas A&M. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 before joining the Washington Redskins that same year. Everett was released by Washington in 2021 after a car crash led to the death of his girlfriend. He was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter before was dropped to reckless driving, which he pleaded guilty to.
As a true freshman in 2011, Everett mainly played on special teams, recording 10 tackles. As a sophomore, he played in 13 games, starting 12 of them, playing both cornerback and safety. He recorded 56 tackles, nine pass breakups, and two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown). Against Alabama, Everett recorded a game-clinching interception of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, leading to a 29-24 upset victory over number-one-ranked Alabama.[2]
In 2013, during his junior season, Everett played in 13 games at cornerback and safety, starting nine, and recorded 73 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, one fumble recovery, and two defensive touchdowns. As a senior in 2014, he started all 13 games at cornerback, recording 79 tackles, along with six pass breakups and one interception. Everett finished his four-year college career playing in 50 games with 34 starts, recording 218 tackles, 26 pass breakups, five interceptions, one fumble recovery, and three defensive touchdowns.[3]He also returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown as a senior.[4]
Everett signed with the Washington Redskins on August 1, 2015.[10][11][12] On September 7, 2015, Everett was waived but re-joined the team's practice squad the following day.[13][14] On October 3, 2015, the Redskins promoted Everett to the active roster.[15]
He made his debut in the team's 23–20 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. On October 18, 2015, Everett recorded his first career tackle on linebacker Trevor Riley while covering a kickoff in the second quarter of the Redskins' 34–20 loss at the New York Jets.[16] In Week 10, he collected a season-high five combined tackles during a 47–14 victory against the New Orleans Saints. The following week, Everett made one tackle before leaving the Redskins' 44–16 loss at the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter due to a hamstring injury.[17] The injury sidelined him for the next two games (Week 13–14).[18] Everett finished his rookie season in 2015 with 16 combined tackles (12 solo) in 11 games and zero starts.[19]
On January 10, 2016, Everett appeared in his first career playoff game and recorded a solo tackle during their 35–18 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wildcard Game.[17]
He was promoted to backup free safety after Hall tore his ACL in his right knee and starting strong safety David Bruton was placed on injured reserve in Week 4.[25][26] On December 11, 2016, Everett recorded a tackle and made his first career interception off a pass by Carson Wentz during a 27–22 victory at the Eagles in Week 14.[27] On December 15, 2016, the NFL fined him $48,000 for two penalties during special teams plays in the fourth quarter of their victory against the Eagles. His first $24,000 fine was for hitting a defenseless player penalty he committed on Eagles' running back Darren Sproles during a punt return. His second $24,000 fine was for an illegal blindside block on tight end Brent Celek during a Redskins' punt return.[28] In Week 15, Everett collected two solo tackles in the Redskins' 26–15 loss to the Panthers.[29] He finished his first season as a safety with 11 solo tackles, a pass deflection, and an interception in 16 games and zero starts.[19]
He made his first career start in the Redskins season-opener against the Eagles and recorded seven combined tackles in their 30–17 loss. After Week 3, rookie Montae Nicholson started in place of Everett after he sustained a sprained MCL. Nicholson remained the starting strong safety after performing well in Everett's absence.[33] Everett entered the game for base packages while Nicholson was used for nickel packages.[34] In Week 4, Everett recorded four solo tackles before leaving the Redskins' 29–20 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter after sustaining a hamstring injury. He was sidelined for the next two weeks due to the injury (Weeks 6–7).[35] On November 23, 2017, Everett earned the start at strong safety after Nicholson sustained a concussion during their 34–31 loss at the Saints the previous week. He finished the Redskins' 20–10 victory against the New York Giants with seven combined tackles.[36] He remained the starting strong safety for the remaining six games of the regular season. On December 10, 2017, Everett recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo) and deflected a pass during a 30–13 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. In Week 17, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and a pass deflection in the Redskins' 18–10 loss at the Giants.[37] He finished the 2017 season with 62 combined tackles (41 solo) and five pass deflections in 14 games and eight starts.[19]
2018–2021
On March 6, 2018, the Redskins signed Everett to a two-year, $2.60 million contract that includes a $250,000 signing bonus.[19][38]
On November 3, 2019, Everett signed a three-year contract extension with the Redskins through the 2022 season.[39] He was placed on injured reserve on December 7.[40] Before the Week 6 2020 game against the Giants, it was announced that Everett would be taking over as the starting free safety over Troy Apke.[41] On December 17, 2020, Everett was placed on injured reserve due to a torn pectoral.[42][43]
On December 24, 2021, Everett was placed on the team's reserve/non-football injury list after being admitted to a hospital for injuries from a car crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend, who was in the passenger seat.[44][45] Everett was released from the team on March 16, 2022.[46]
On December 23, 2021, Everett suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in a car crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend, 29-year-old Olivia Peters, who was a passenger in the car.[44] On February 8, 2022, Everett turned himself in after he was served with a warrant for involuntary manslaughter. Everett was released on bond shortly after voluntarily appearing at the Loudoun County Magistrate's office.[47] On July 19, 2022, Everett pleaded guilty in exchange for a reduced charge for misdemeanor reckless driving and was sentenced to three months house arrest.[48][49]
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