Darius Shaquille Leonard (born July 27, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Darius closest sibling, Keivonte, died when Darius was in high school. Leonard was eating with his future wife, Kayla, and Ford. [9][10], The Indianapolis Colts selected Leonard in the second round with the 36th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. hopeful the message is able to reach those in need. On March 20, 2018, Leonard participated at South Carolina State's pro day and performed the rest of his combine drills. But the pictures are funny. Keivonte always wanted to make everyone laugh.. [22] On November 18, 2018, Leonard made seven combined tackles, one pass deflection, one sack, and his first career interception during a 3810 victory against the Tennessee Titans in Week 11. He has spent his life pushing through it: Pressure bursts pipes or makes diamonds, he says. This is mostly accomplished by suppressing grief, which he says hed rather do than burden others. No way I should be seeing a heart specialist. For Leonard, this was a chance to right another wrong: To help Lake View win the title that he had failed to bring home as a high school senior. and the Las Vegas Raiders' Solomon The Tigers were waiting on Leonard to qualify academically. Thats the kind of guy is, King says. 'I'll give it one last whirl.'". In his career at South Carolina State, he started all 43 games and led the team in tackles in three separate seasons. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00am at his church. In 2010, he won a Super Bowl with the Saints. I keep my focus just seeing what my brother went through. Darius Leonard is an American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. In Week 17 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leonard led the team with 10 tackles and recorded a strip sack on Mike Glennon that was recovered by the Colts during the 2814 win. Used to be that whenever a wave of anxiety like that would hit me, I'd think I was having a heart attack. Latest on Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN She was very good at all three sports," he said. it inside.". "That was the hardest part because I was gone and she was working Monday through Friday. Their efforts will officially begin SC State Grad C/O17! Where we grew up, when something like that happens, it often leads to fights or revenge, Ford said. The team released him on, Anthony Inspired Darius To Compete In NFL. A week after Leonard accepted his first Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in December 2016, he was back in Lake View, up in the booth for us on the headsets during the state championship game. Mind of a Maniac, by one of Leonards favorite rappers, Lil Boosie, was already part of his pregame playlist, and it remains today. Beginning at 9 a.m. before training; after his training and practice, he grew to 62 (189 cm) and 180 lbs. [5], On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Leonard had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. Kayla rode with Darius to see Keivonte. [13], On July 23, 2018, Leonard signed a four-year, $7.24 million contract that included $4.16 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3.35 million. Darius Leonard is an American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. I can't wait to have a few more and give her some brothers and sisters.". I'll do anything just to see, talk and hug you one more time! after going through his own struggles following the death of his Her beautiful smile. [24] Leonard was awarded the AFC Defensive Player of the Month award for December. Meals were scarce, but enjoyable. "And when she got her job, she was taking care of me. Your team will love these Sloppy Joes 5 Ways! In astronomy, a nova is a star that suddenly and momentarily shines thousands of times brighter, allowing onlookers to appreciate its previously hidden brilliance. Sadness. Leonard has two brothers in prison for murder, while one other brotherhis best friend, the one who slept next to him for 17 yearsdied after getting clubbed in the back of the head at a. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard's picture-perfect 'Peanut Punch' forces fumble and turnover. It's the season of giving. The fifth of six boys, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Leonard is the reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is the guy who makes everyone happy. You know, just a lot of big milestones have happened.. He is known by many as Darius. INDIANAPOLIS Darius Leonard always believed he was the best linebacker in football. He avoided those problems because he always wanted to be different in every aspect, said Chris Ford, one of Leonards closest childhood friends. "I left work early because I was teaching and I had my work clothes on. It was both a celebration and a thank you to those who supported them along the way. "It changed our whole life, our relationship. Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) October 15, 2019. . Darius Leonard is a member of the Indianapolis Colts' football team, an American football player. But through it all - their love has only grown. INDIANAPOLIS -- It started out as a pause on the phone. There is a diamond-studded 53 hanging from one of a few gold chains. Both his twin, Tyrell, and his younger brother, Dante, met untimely deaths as he has battled with attempting to resurrect his career after an ACL injury he suffered back in 2020. I dont take nothing for granted.. And I should have known something because she was recording me. "I had my childhood friends there. In a mid-November performance against the Miami Dolphins, he recorded 11 solo tackles, a sack and an interception, becoming one of only two players in NFL history to record 10 sacks and four interceptions in his first two seasons (the other is Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher). Leonard wants more, like 200 tackles, 10 sacks, Defensive Player of the Year, the Pro Bowl and winning a Super Bowl. [21] Leonard was inactive for the Colts Week 5 loss at the New England Patriots due to an ankle injury he sustained the previous week. As a child, Leonard and his family moved often. Leonard heard the news that his brother, Keivonte Waters, had died a day after an altercation at a club in Mullins, South Carolina, which was about 25 minutes from Lake View. The family wasnt well off. Anthony Waters is a former American football linebacker. Darius Leonard With the Indiana Colts (Source: Stampede Blue) After the NFL draft, Darius signed a four-year contract worth $7.24 million with the Indianapolis Colts on July 23, 2018. I called her to the middle of the field," he said. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard rejoined his team last week, marking his long-awaited return to practice after being stuck in concussion protocol for three weeks. He played collegiate football for South Carolina State Bulldogs. ", "We knew we wanted to get married and being so far away from home, we wanted to go ahead and do it," she said. On Saturday, July 30, NFL Network will present Training Camp: Back Together Saturday. He said Cody is in prison because he was an accessory at a wrong place, wrong time.. Everybody was either related or knew each other. "She has the most beautiful eyes ever.". [25] He finished his rookie season in 2018 with 163 combined tackles (111 solo), eight pass deflections, seven sacks, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts. Before all of his football success, though, Leonard had to overcome a lot. A post shared by Darius Shaquille Leonard (@mr_highflyer10). Leonard isolates himself and cries. He was among the Saints early-September final cuts. Her heart is big. Despite their scarcity, the meals were good. "I wanted to let her have as big a wedding as she wanted. [28], In Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans, Leonard made 10 tackles and one sack on Marcus Mariota as the Colts won 1917. On January 5, 2019, Leonard started in his first career playoff game and recorded 13 combined tackles (five solo) and broke up a pass attempt during a 217 victory at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wildcard Game. His five interceptions led all linebackers and tied for fourth in the entire NFL. "Get ready to rock 'n' roll when time comes.". as host to discuss their "struggles and breakthroughs and the [40] So I just asked her, 'Will you marry me?'". He overcame a lot of tragedy before becoming a star on the Indianapolis Colts. Tears. Waters' tears weren't about disappointment or anger. Lake View won its first state title since 2007. And his journey became their journey. Leonard pushes his daughters stroller through a Lake View High School football game. Im getting emotional, tearing up. I wanted to put them on notice.. But I didnt have to because he had a good head on his shoulders and knew that wasnt the way to go.. their basement and the commercial comes on, and maybe they think, Another life-changing call came when sitting in a Waffle House on a night in December 2012. The Colts still managed to start 5-2 but then lost five of six. Leaving a school that has 11 state football titles, without winning that year, was a hurtful feeling, Leonard says. To Leonard, that meant his professional football dreams were over before they began. emotions, that's helping me out rather than keeping my emotions There is a empty spot in my life where you needed to be! Its pointless for you to say it, Kayla says, so Ive learned to not say Im sorry. . Soon, he realized that what he loved was her. help. Darius wanted to follow his brothers path. [41], On August 8, 2021, Leonard signed a five-year, $99.25 million contract including a $52.5 million guaranteed extension with the Colts, making him the highest-paid outside linebacker in the NFL. This really happened?'". I had a big chip on my shoulder, he says. It physically hurts. Eventually, he got the courage to ask her out. "Then, I got nervous. If you want to know more about Darius, follow him on his Instagram and Twitter. SCSU went into Death Valley and lost 59-0. [49], On July 26, 2022, at the Colts' training camp, Leonard told reporters how he now requested to be called by his middle name, Shaquille, rather than his given first name, Darius. A post shared by Darius Leonard (@mr_highflyer10) on Dec 15, 2017 at 7:01am PST. He was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. You have entered an incorrect email address! Just days later, that relationship would be what got Leonard through Keivontes death. She never left my side through any moment; she made sure that I had absolutely anything that I needed.. His brother Anthony Waters did and even led the Tigers in tackles in 2005 with 109, according to Clemsons team site. He would run through the early morning gloom to the weight room at his high school. Leonard has sadly had to overcome two of his older brothers, Charlie and Cody Waters, being in prison, according to ESPN. I love, love it that he still talks to them, Lynette Waters said. Spr 15. When the house was particularly crowded, they shared a bed. Leonard plays aggressively, but he does it with a bounce best exemplified by his celebration after every sack (and this year, there have been a lot of them). It was a matter of surviving and making do. [18] For his performance, he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. When Mia arrived in March, she changed everything. December 15th will always be the worst day of my life knowing that your life was taken away! Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. . The scouts gradually began to take notice of him. Instead, he is a college graduate and an NFL All-Pro. He also said that Cody is in prison for being an accessory at a wrong place, wrong time, ESPN also reported. Leonard intercepted a pass by Titans backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert, that was intended for wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, and returned it for a ten-yard gain during the third quarter. I forget everything I was going to say. The furry face of the franchise since 2006 - this summer, Colts mascot, Blue, will be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. He became the first player to rack up at least 125 tackles, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles in a season since Bryan Cox in 1992, according to Colts.com. You never know what you have until its gone, Keivonte warned, reminding Darius to cherish that relationship. Having our daughter, him not being there. After the game, he says, My teammates said I played like a straight maniac. It stuck. Leonard said he's taking on a lead role in the team's Kicking the He became a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, and did play at Death Valley as an opponent. up, but he's become better at handling the emotions after getting "I definitely loved that - an athlete who was just as good in their sport as I was in mine.". Two fierce competitors, they challenged each other in every way. [33][34], Following the season, he was voted into his first Pro Bowl appearance. Theres so many questions I have for you that I know Ill never get answers to! There was the trailer park on the gravel road, where he met his father for the first time at the age of 13. The Colts defense went from 27th in defense-adjusted value over average in 2017 to 10th with Leonard in 2018. And the Eagles feel the same way about their new acquisition, with GM Howie Roseman already looking forward to seeing what Swift can do playing with his hometown team. Colts owner Jim Irsay, another key professional football player, a linebacker, one of the most moving past the stigma related to mental health conditions during an That is not all the tragedy that Leonard has had to deal with, though. Darius entered the professional arena after the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play. Unfortunately, his younger brother, Keivonte Waters, died from a blow to the head after an argument at a club in Mullins, South Carolina, in 2012. Despite missing three games due to injury, Leonard had a team-leading 121 tackles including 71 solos, six tackles for loss, five sacks, six passes defended, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles. [Clemson coach] Dabo Swinney told him after the game that they missed out on not getting him, Ford recalled. If theres music playing at practices or games, he is dancing. Everyone was related or acquainted with one another, and peer pressure was constant. Ive got two brothers incarcerated and one deceased. Kaylas friends were direct, she remembers: Why are you dating a black boy?, We lost friendships over it, says Leonard, who said people werent as bold when with him. "It's OK to not be OK," We had our t-shirts from kindergarten and we signed our names right beside each other.". He returned in Week 4, and suffered a concussion and broken nose in the game, missing the next three games. Born July 27, 1995, Leonard played high school football at Lake View High School in Lake View, S.C. His dream was to attend Clemson, but his grades needed some work, and by the time he qualified academically, the Tigers had already awarded all of their scholarships for the upcoming season. Its not a huge deal and it wouldnt be no hard feelings if you called me Darius. Quite the opposite. In Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans, Leonard recorded a team high 14 tackles and sacked Ryan Tannehill once during the 4526 loss. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. brother, Keivonte Waters, in 2012. [7] Leonard's performance at the Senior Bowl immensely helped his draft stock. Wherever you are, this is how you football!Learn moreabout NFL+. I talked some good mack daddy. But she rejected him: Apparently, his mack was not strong enough to overcome the size and shape of his head. Although he wanted to give his younger brother Darius the same opportunity, he wasnt going to. Leonard did two stints at a friends house, sleeping in a living room and a barn. They know their love can conquer anything. Waters tears and emotion could have been a lot different if Leonard had taken the path of two of his older brothers, who are in prison. "That's better than keeping with Kicking the Stigma Week, aseries of events, including the release of the Daly-led roundtable, from May 3-6. For Darius, there was always something about Kayla. Every Friday that he didnt have a game, Leonard was on the sideline with Lake View. Ryan Kelly never saw himself as a small dog guy. His gleaming black Benz SUV sits in the driveway, but we are just a few miles from the trailer park where he lived for a couple of years as a kid, one of the 15 or 20 places he called home as a child. In fact, after the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the second round of the draft, Bleacher Report even listed him as one of the worst picks of that year. I get emotional because it goes back to how he was raised and the man hes become.. Leonard signed a five-year, $99.25 million extension with $52.5 million guaranteed, and his family, both past and future, were at the forefont. figure in the launch of the Kicking the Stigma campaign, said they're "The way I'm going, I'm very happy," Leonard said. A good partner brings out the best in you. The All-Pro linebacker said he was hesitant to correct people about his name as he entered the league in 2018, which was influenced by the advice given to him by Hall of Famer Randy Moss as a rookie to "keep your mouth closed, keep eyes and ears open. Leonard tried counseling too, but after four visits, he quit. She said, "Yes." For real. Hes never considered that it could do both. He completed the bench press, 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash at the NFL Combine. State Sen. Darius Brown discuss an upcoming "safe surrender" event at a press conference at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington on Monday May 1, 2023. "He set this goal and he reached it, he set this goal and he reached it, and then one day he was like, 'I'm going to play in the NFL,'" Kayla said. Every time I look at football, I look at life, I know how quick life can change, Leonard said, according to ESPN. [39] Charlie is reportedly in prison for a murder case that happened in 1997, Leonard said, according to ESPN. It was a matter of getting by and adapting. Leonard waited and waited for a scholarship offer to come after attending football camp there before his junior and senior years. Stefanos Tsitsipas Sister- Brother Petros And Pavlos, AFL: Andrew Dillion Wife Amanda: Kids And Family, Cameron Norrie Hair Transformation: Style And Color Before And After, Who Are Alvaro, Sergio And Jaime Alcaraz? He wanted to play at Clemson, like his brother, Anthony Waters. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard said he was asked to leave a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in South Carolina after he became the target of a lie because of the color of his skin .

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