Before he became an undercover agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Jay Dobyns was a standout receiver at Arizona. He was featured on the cover of the team's media guide in 1984 and thought a career in the NFL was his for the taking.
Then he went to the NFL Combine, where his receivers group included Jerry Rice, Andre Reed, Jay Novacek and Al Toon.
"I went in there thinking I was a big thing; that if I could do it in the Pac-10 I could do it anywhere," Dobyns said. "It was an eye-opening experience. That combine was life-changing."
He wasn't drafted and his football dream ended in 1985.
Dobyns decided to enter law enforcement and on his first assignment for the ATF, he was shot in the back at point-blank range.
"It was a pretty wicked experience. Blood was squirting out of my chest like you had your thumb on a garden hose," Dobyns said. "I remember leaning against the car thinking, 'I've been on the job a week and I'm going to die in this dirty trailer park.' ''
Dobyns recovered and eventually infiltrated the Hells Angels. His work in operation "Black Biscuit" led to the arrests of 55 alleged members of the Angels and the seizure of 650 guns, more than 100 explosives and 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
But the most serious charges were dismissed in 2006 and Dobyns, upset over the handling of the case, retired from the ATF. His book, "No Angel", which was released this week, tells of his life as an undercover agent. Twentieth Century Fox already has bought the movie rights.
Dobyns' enemies far outnumber his friends. His life has been threatened and his home was burned last August. The ATF, which now regards Dobyns as an outcast, put forth little effort in investigating the blaze and, according to Dobyns, tried to link him to the blaze.
Dobyns said he decided after the fire that there will be no more bouncing from city to city, no more aliases.
"I'm not going to be intimidated by these threats anymore. I'm gonna make my stand and be happy doing it."
DO NOT MESS WITH A WILDCAT, PERIOD.
Posted by: Doug | February 11, 2009 at 01:04 PM