LaJourdain J. Birden Sr. (born June 16, 1965) is an American former professional football player who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL draft.
Weighing just 140 pounds by the end of his senior high school season, Birden was considered too small to be an NCAA receiver and was not offered any football scholarships.
Birden received several offers from other teams, but his lingering knee injury limited him to spending the 1989 season on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
Birden has also travelled extensively as a motivational and opportunity speaker and trainer for companies large and small; team building seminars, as well as youth group life skill development meetings.
[2] In 2010, Birden was inducted into the University of Oregon's Athletic Hall of Fame for his performance on the Ducks' 1985 Track and Field NCAA Championship team.