Napoleon Kaufman

Who is Napoleon Kaufman?

Napoleon "Nip" Kaufman is a former American football player and currently an ordained minister and head football coach at Bishop O'Dowd high school in Oakland, California. He is a former NFL running back, playing for the Oakland Raiders for the entirety of his professional football career.

Kaufman was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Lompoc, California which is located 55 miles west-northwest of Santa Barbara. He was one of the greatest high school running backs in California prep history at Lompoc High School. As a 135 pound sophomore in 1988, he rushed for 1,008 yards in leading Lompoc to the Southern Section divisional semifinals. As a junior in 1989, he had an even better season. Kaufman was named to the Southern Section All-CIF and All-State first team, compiling 2,954 all purpose yards and 39 touchdowns, averaging a remarkable 70 yards on kickoff returns. As a senior in 1990, at 5-9, 170, with 4.3 speed in 40 yards, he was named the Cal Hi Sports' California high school football player of the year. Despite injuries, Kaufman rushed for 1,960 yards and 28 touchdowns leading his team to a 13-1 record and a CIF championship. He was also named to the USA Today first team All-American team. In his high school career, he rushed for 5,151 yards and 86 TDs. Kaufman chose the University of Washington over USC, Colorado, and Arizona.