The combination of size, strength, and a style of play based on determination, spirit and aggressiveness not only enabled Lindstrom to be a star performer throughout the venues of the Yankee Conference, but also to enjoy a nine-year stadium-tour of the National Football League.
A promising defensive lineman on the 1972 Terrier freshmen contingent, Lindstrom was expected to join the varsity 11 the following autumn but a knee injury kept him out of action for the duration of the 1973 season.
He returned to health during his junior year, and registered 39 total tackles, while regaining his confidence and familiarity of the position. Having made the necessary readjustments, and been elected co-captain during the off season, Lindstrom was preparing for greatness as the 1976 campaign approached.
Although the team's 3-7 final mark suggests a turbulent exterior, Lindstrom's play provided a smooth silver lining. In the Terriers 23-20 triumph over Northeastern, he registered five solo and nine assisted tackles, while adding four assists and a sack in the Terriers' 28-14 win over Maine. In a 31-11 loss to Holy Cross, Lindstrom registered five tackles and a pair of sacks, and, the following weekend, led a tenacious defensive effort which completely stymied Rhode Island in a 36-0 triumph. He finished the year with 68 total tackles, including 44 of the solo variety.
In recognition of his outstanding efforts, Lindstrom earned All-Yankee Conference honors, AP and UPI First Team All-New England, the Harry Agganis Award as the Terriers' MVP and the John Pappas Award as the outstanding senior lineman. Despite the numerous awards and laurels, his greatest form of recognition during his senior year was an invitation to play in the North-South All-Star game, an honor extended to a select few Division II players.
Certainly head coach Paul Kemp had every reason to say Dave Lindstrom "may be the best defensive end ever to play football at Boston University."
The San Diego Chargers had an equally high opinion of Lindstrom, and selected him in the sixth round of the 1977 NFL Entry Draft. Following a year in the Bay Area, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs for the 1978 season, where he became a stalwart along the defensive line, before retiring following the 1985 campaign.
