Welcome to the online home of Richard "Dirt" Jordan, relive the legacy, and find out how he is still working to improve the lives of youth in need, locally and nationally.

Hard Hitting

Richard Jordan was a hard hitting player with an impressive rookie season by any standard. He brought and still brings that same passion to the community by devoting his time to empowering the youth to make the best of themselves.

NFL Pro

A six year linebacker with explosive spark centered in special teams for his first four years with Detroit. Starting middle linebacker for multiple games during the 1998 season. Great ability in the nickel role before season-ending knee injury in 1999. Active, athletic player who has acclimated to both outside and middle linebacker spots after playing defensive end for the majority of this collegiate career.

High-energy performer who plays with tremendous enthusiasm... Detroit's third of three seventh round selections in the 1997 NFL Draft (239th overall).

Jordan, who was an All-American and All-Stater, was his team's Captain and team MVP 3 years in a row in High School. Highly recruited by Universities such as Oklahoma, Tulsa, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State. Jordan decided to take his talents to Division II Missouri Southern State University located in Joplin, Mo. There he was one of only two players to win back to back MVP's of the Mid-Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and finished a close second in school's history in total tackles with 406, and second in single game tackles with 20 vs. Pittsburgh State University.

January 11th 1997, he was selected to play in Division II All-Star game once called the Snow Bowl held in Fargo ND, now called the Cactus Bowl in Alabama. Hard Hitting Jordan won the West's Outstanding Defensive Player Award in a victory over the East. Not only was he successful as an All-American in college on field, but Jordan went back and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in 2000′. Jordan is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

While battling seven years on the football field Richard Jordan has also been blessed to be able to contribute to the community along the way. Devoted to giving back from adopting families on Christmas to reading to children at local elementary schools, Richard understands that supporting those that supported him and those who are less fortunate is as important as his NFL career. His passion for helping youth has been at the forefront of his philanthropy since college when he first became a mentor at the Boys and Girls Club. Ever since then and throughout his professional career Richard has been finding ways to impact youth and their families where ever he goes. For example, kids got to enjoy not only getting pictures and autographs, but also participated in free football camps coached by both former and current NFL players who graciously donated not just their time and effort, but also contributed financially to the betterment of the kids.

Mentoring in the Detroit area, Richard began to realize that the under-privileged kids were not receiving the "holiday joy" he had seen in other children. The idea of any child not having a Christmas hurt Richard more than any hit he had ever received or delivered. He began to share the children's stories with his teammates, who in turn then began to relate to the experiences as well. From there Richard's Adopt a Family for the Holidays program was born. Richard turned to his cousin for support in partnering with local churches and began to gather information about less fortunate families, such as how many children, ages, and gender of those in need. From there Richard gathered financial support from teammates and colleagues.

Asking for a little and receiving at times up to $1,000 from each player to support his cause. In 12 years he brought Christmas to over a 100 needy families of all nationalities with presents, dinners, and decorations.

Richard also understands that changing lives does not happen all at once, it takes step after step, many small steps to make a big difference. Working with youth over the course of time further increases opportunities and hope, and out of this concept sprang the RJ Book It program in 1998.  Richard began offering Detroit Lion's tickets to students and their parents in exchange for simply reading and reporting on a prescribed number of books each month.

Richard now continues to work with youth coaching high school football and track at Redford Thurston. He also maintains a football camp in Oklahoma exposing area high school kids to top recruiters in country. Under his leadership 20 youth from both Redford Thurston and the football camp have signed to Division I and Division II scholarships to continue their education and football careers.