Donald Richard Deskins (born May 10, 1932) is an American professor of urban geography and sociology and a former American football player. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1932 and attended Westbury High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps before enrolling at the University of Michigan in 1957. He received several degrees from the University of Michigan, including a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1960, an Master of Arts degree in 1963, and a Ph.D. in 1971. During his undergraduate study at Michigan, Deskins played college football as a tackle for the Michigan Wolverines football teams in 1958 and 1959. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in 1960, he played professional football for the Oakland Raiders in their inaugural season in the American Football League. Deskins ha