A number of people have represented the Acadiana area in the National Football League.

All summer long, we’re going to spotlight the fantastic athletes from the area, people that were actually born in one of the Acadiana parishes, that went on to play football at the highest level, the NFL.

Earlier, we profiled Eunice native Keith Ortego.

Today, we spotlight Opelousas native Rusty Guilbeau.

Born on November 20, 1958 in Opelousas, Guilbeau attended Sunset High School.

Following his high school years, Guilbeau went to college at McNeese St. where he helped the Cowboys win back-to-back Southland Conference titles in 1979 and 1980, and berths in two Independence Bowls, while helping them post a 28-6-1 won-lost record.

Guilbeau was named the outstanding defensive player in the Southland Conference and in the state of Louisiana in 1981 after he had led the Cowboys in tackles with 79 and had set a school record with 18 sacks.

A defensive standout, Guilbeau collected 36 career sacks and 233 tackles in his three year career, while twice earning all-conference and all-Louisiana honors, and being  named to the Associated Press all-America team in 1981.

The 6-foot-4, 242-pound Guilbeauu was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft.

Guilbeau made his NFL debut with the New York Jets in 1982, at the age of 24, playing in 4 games, mainly on special teams, while battling a knee injury.

He went on to play four more years for the Jets, becoming the starter at right outside linebacker in 1985, before finishing his career with the Cleveland Browns in 1987.

In parts of six seasons in the NFL, Guilbeau appeared in 57 games, including 13 as a starter.

Today, Guilbeau is 58-years old, and serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of United Vision Logistics.

You can hear Guilbeau every Friday morning on the "Sportsnote", with host Billy Ryckman, beginning at 11 am.

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