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.

Last Friday, we profiled Lafayette native Greg LaFleur.

Today, we spotlight Lionel Vital.

Born on July 15, 1963 in Loreauville, Vital attended Loreauville High School.

Following his high school years, Vital went to college at Nicholls St., where he was a standout running back for the Colonels.

The 5-foot-9, 195-pound Vital was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 7th round of the 1985 NFL Draft.

Following a year in the Canadian Football League, in which he played for the Calgary Stampeders, Vital made his NFL debut with the Redskins in 1987, at the age of 24, appearing in 3 games, all as a starter, compiling 346 yards, including 2 touchdowns, on 80 carries.

That would turn out to be Vital's lone stint in the NFL, as he returned to the CFL in 1987, playing with the Sascatchewan Roughriders, prior to retiring.

Since the end of his playing days, Vital has put together an impressive resume while working in the front office.

Currently the Director of College Scouting for the Dallas Cowboys, Vital has also worked for the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns.

Today, Vital is 53-years old.

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