darius leonard brothers

Hes never considered that it could do both. "She has the most beautiful eyes ever.". Another life-changing call came when sitting in a Waffle House on a night in December 2012. "We got married officially a couple weeks after I got drafted," he said. So I just asked her, 'Will you marry me?'". [15] Head coach Frank Reich named Leonard the starting weakside linebacker to start the regular season in 2018, alongside Najee Goode and middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr.[16], He made his professional regular season debut and first career start in the Colts' season-opener against the Cincinnati Bengals and recorded nine combined tackles and recovered a fumble in their 3423 loss. Two others are in prison. Leonard has been informally nicknamed "Maniac" due to his energetic and productive on-field play. "Claflin and South Carolina State have a fence that separates them," she said. Darius Leonard steps out of his in-laws house on a five-acre farm. '", "I got officially married in some South Carolina State shorts, a Colts t-shirt, and some Jordan retros," he laughed. When he was 2 years old, one of his brothers was convicted of murder and incarcerated. Waters was a third-round pick by the Chargers in 2007, but was out of the league by 2010. He also had seven sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. I called her to the middle of the field," he said. Leonard was born in 1995, one of nine children raised by a single mother in Lake View, South Carolina, a town so tiny there are no stoplights. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius On Darius Leonard's birthday. He was with us every day at practice, King says. As a child Leonard looked up to and would compete with his brother Anthony Waters with hopes to one day follow in his footsteps to play football at Clemson. Jeffrey Brown/Icon . When looking at the best defensive players in the NFL today, Darius Leonard has consistently been one each of the past two seasons. 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. He said Cody is in prison because he was an accessory at a wrong place, wrong time.. Eventually, he got the courage to ask her out. Leonard faced another obstacle in high school. But Darius saw what members of his family went through while he was growing up, and he didnt want any part of it.. Darius Leonard grew up in a small town, Lake View, in Dillon County, South Carolina, United States. Your team will love these Sloppy Joes 5 Ways! In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in tackles and was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year; he was also voted into the NFL Top 100 the following offseason. [27], The Indianapolis Colts finished second in the AFC South with a 106 record and earned a playoff berth. Irsay said. For a time after his brothers death, Leonard thought that celebratory draft moment would not come. [37] The Indianapolis Colts made sure he gets paid like it. Leonard at the home of his in-laws. He wanted to wear my shoes out, but he wouldnt let me wear his, Leonard says. interview with Judy Battista of NFL.com released Wednesday. He was hit from behind and knocked cold, dying after a brief stay in the hospital. Meanwhile, Darius' football career was taking off. Kayla spotted him drifting from the celebration, so she followed him to the back of the room. ET, more than 50 analysts, reporters and team correspondents will provide 13 hours of live coverage from training camps across the NFL -- plus, check out NFL Films-produced wired sound of players and coaches in action. Leonard called several schools, but the answer was the same. Leonard returned to his hometown of Lake View, South Carolina, during the teams bye week. His fathers name is unknown. Leonards emotions were all over the place. He doesnt hide his displeasure for not making the Pro Bowl last season. He recently took part in a roundtable @dsleon45. He had 19 tackles and a blocked field goal in a 59-0 loss to Clemson in 2016. But, burning that fuel affects Leonard in ways that go somewhat unnoticed. Playing for a school like South Carolina State, Leonard wasnt a big-time prospect going into the 2018 NFL draft. (He bears personal responsibility for the team not winning and can describe, with pinpoint accuracy, the final play, when Lake Views opponent went for two on the last play of the game.) She said yes. Kayla is usually there to hug him. So he got off to an early start. with Kicking the Stigma Week, aseries of events, including the release of the Daly-led roundtable, from May 3-6. Check it out! We had our t-shirts from kindergarten and we signed our names right beside each other.". Leonard attended and played high school football at Lake View High School in Lake View, South Carolina. My heart still hurts knowing that my best friend, my roll dog, my partner in crime but most importantly my brother isnt here with me today! I dont take nothing for granted. L'Corine Gilchrist (nee Rucker) . After trading D'Andre Swift to the Eagles on Saturday, Lions GM Brad Holmes went on record as saying that the exchange was a "win-win for all parties involved." He was a big clown, Leonard says, smiling. If I don't find help, You can see a smile in his play, like you can hear a smile over the phone. The Colts defense went from 27th in defense-adjusted value over average in 2017 to 10th with Leonard in 2018. And I was like, 'It's a day late.' Keivonte was being rushed to the hospital, unconscious after a fight at a club. For the time being, Leonard remains shelved for the start of training camp, but he said the recovery has been going well. Once I did reach out, I knew that's what made it You was there when nobody else were! Leonard (center) gathered at the home of his in-laws with his siblings (clockwise from bottom left) Anthony Waters, Henri Walters, Jaquanna Davis, Diayah Williams, Latasha Waters, mother Lynette Walters, daughter Mia, and wife Kayla Leonard. We just started hanging out and it kind of went from there. Oh man, Im losing it, said Lynette Waters, the mother of Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard. He played collegiate football for South Carolina State Bulldogs. "I left work early because I was teaching and I had my work clothes on. I dont take nothing for granted.. Lolo Jones Sister- Brother James Who Is Elisavet Tsitsipas? That's what the Colts and Red Gold have done for more than a decade - and it's something they look forward to doing for years to come. Before all of his football success, though, Leonard had to overcome a lot. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [14], Leonard entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker. 2023 ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Leonard has gone from being an unknown guy while coming into the NFL draft to becoming one of the best linebackers in the league. He was preparing for his games at South Carolina State, and there he is also spending an hour or two a day watching film for us, King says. Darius Leonard father's name is under review and mother unknown at this time. The team released him on February 26, 2009. In astronomy, a nova is a star that suddenly and momentarily shines thousands of times brighter, allowing onlookers to appreciate its previously hidden brilliance. While attending SCSU, he regularly drove the two hours to Lake View to help coach the football team, calling head coach Daryl King with notes on upcoming opponents. The three times Pro Bowl winner maintains a whopping net worth of about $60- $65 million in2023. Darius Leonard avoided his brothers' mistakes on path to All-Pro year Darius Leonard became a surprise star as a rookie, and he has even bigger goals for his second season. He suffered a setback in his back injury leading up to Week 10 and was placed on injured reserve on November 12, 2022.[47]. On the eve of his 27th birthday, Shaquille Leonard has decided to make a distinct change entering his fifth NFL season. Darius was severely affected as Keivonte happened to be his closest sibling. He and his fiancee had a daughter in 2019. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! From clothes and shoes and presents to their presence - being able to give back is something the Colts take to heart. Leonard said. Leonard explained that his family has always called him Shaquille growing up. Instead, he is a college graduate and an NFL All-Pro. [45], During the following offseason, Leonard had surgery on his back to correct nerves being impinged by his disks. In this article, we have covered all the available details about Darius brothers. He is the guy who makes everyone happy. Kayla and his mother say Leonard still hasnt directly dealt with the emotional aftermath of the traumatic loss. Thats the kind of guy is, King says. Im getting emotional, tearing up. Five years today I was awakened from a call that I had lost not only my best friend, my partner in crime, my everything , most of all my blood brother! Leonards mother, Lynette, turned to counseling. Along with friends and family, many of Darius' teammates and former teammates were in attendance. Everyone was related or acquainted with one another, and peer pressure was constant. They cried together. But the highlight of his SCSU career came after his final home game, a 33-15 win over Hampton University. Or he was playing baseball or at home playing cards with friends. In his senior year, Leonard posted another triple-digit total in tackles (114) and a career-high in sacks. He tackled some tough questions from New York Post columnist Steve Serby. Darius closest sibling, Keivonte, died when Darius was in high school. In 2011, an interracial relationship was still taboo in their tiny Southern town. I wanted to see my mom happy all the time, not having to stress out worrying about me., Leonard doesnt go into a lot of details about why his brothers -- Charlie and Cody Waters -- are incarcerated. He also knows from experience the game he loves can be taken away from him in one play. Two fierce competitors, they challenged each other in every way. You never know what you have until its gone, Keivonte warned, reminding Darius to cherish that relationship. We had a mutual friend who had a barn and we would go there and hang out with all of our friends. Darius could have derailed his future by trying to get revenge. According to his obituary, this Louisiana native had a Master's degree in Sociology from Southern University and worked as a teacher and coach to help others. They started dating during their junior year. "Just the way he looks at her - it's crazy. In his rookie season, Leonard showed enormous potential. Keivante and Darius were born a year apart and shared a bedroom growing up. And I had my Colts friends there.". [50], Leonard swoops in for recovery after blocked FG, Blaine Gabbert gifts Leonard his first career INT, "Former Lake View HS standout, NFL star returns home for charity event and jersey retirement", "NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Darius Leonard", "SCSU's Darius Leonard Is MEAC Defensive Player Of The Year", "Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State", "S.C. STATE FOOTBALL: Leonard repeats as BoxToRow Defensive Player of the Year", "2 local Carolina prospects accept Senior Bowl invites", "Lake View's Darius Leonard dominates on defense at Senior Bowl", "Darius Leonard Turns Heads at Senior Bowl", "South Carolina State OLB Darius Leonard: 2018 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile", "Mel Kiper's Big Board and position rankings: Top 2018 NFL Draft prospects", "NFL Draft Prospect Profile - Darius Leonard", "Indianapolis Colts Select Darius Leonard with Pick 36 in NFL Draft", "Predicting Who Will Start at Linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts", "Colts Release First Unofficial Depth Chart Of 2018 Regular Season", "Thumbs up, thumbs down: Margus Hunt, Darius Leonard shine, Jack Doyle, Quincy Wilson don't", "Doyel: A star is born in Colts linebacker Darius Leonard", "Mahomes, Fitzpatrick among NFL Players of Week", "Darius Leonard Named NFL's Defensive Rookie Of The Month", "Colts' Darius Leonard named NFL's DROTM", "Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts - November 18th, 2018", "Josh Allen, Darius Leonard among Players of the Week", "Titans' Derrick Henry among NFL Players of the Month", "NFL Player stats: Darius Leonard (career)", "NFL Player stats: Darius Leonard (2018)", "Brissett spoils Titans' opener, rallying Colts to 19-17 win", "Colts take AFC South lead with 30-23 victory over Texans", "Dolphins cash in on Colts turnovers, earn 2nd straight win", "Blocked field goal helps Titans turn table with win at Indy", "Winston throws for 456 yards, 4 TDs as Bucs rally over Colts", "Colts' Darius Leonard 'Shocked' By Pro Bowl Honor", "Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions November 1st, 2020", "Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - November 8th, 2020", "Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts - November 29th, 2020", "Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - December 20th, 2020", "Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts - January 3rd, 2021", "Titans RB Derrick Henry, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins among Players of the Week", "Colts, All-Pro LB Darius Leonard agree to terms on five-year, $99.25M extension", "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce lead Players of the Week", "Colts' Darius Leonard, Luke Rhodes, Jonathan Taylor Named 2021 First-Team AP All-Pros", "Seven Colts Players Named To 2022 Pro Bowl", "A Colt by any other name: Leonard drops Darius", "Colts Activate WR Ashton Dulin From Injured Reserve, Place LB Shaquille Leonard On Injured Reserve, Elevate TE Nikola Kalinic And RB Jordan Wilkins To Active Roster From Practice Squad", "Star Player Proposes To Girlfriend After SC State Win", "Colts LB Darius Leonard, NFL stars to battle on 'Celebrity Family Feud', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shaquille_Leonard&oldid=1150737032, 4x AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 2, 2018; Week 17, 2018; Week 17, 2020; Week 15, 2021), AFC Defensive Player of the Month (December 2018), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month (September 2018), This page was last edited on 19 April 2023, at 21:59. She couldn't come up and see me," he said. Survivors include: 2 daughters, Carmen and Simone McGruder; 2 grandsons, Andre II and Darius Johnson; granddaughter, Kailanie Cobb; 3 brothers, Leonard, Byron and Gregory McGruder; 2 sisters, Elizabeth and Pat McGruder; other relatives and friends. Another brother of his, Keivonte Waters, died in 2012 after an altercation at a club, according to ESPN. Darius' closest sibling, Keivonte, died when Darius was in high school. always be. Charlie is in prison for a murder case that happened in 1997, according to Leonard. Ive got two brothers incarcerated and one deceased. Currently, he is 27 years old, and his 28th birthday is in .You can learn more interesting insights about this date, as well as your own birthday, at BirthdayDetails.. Darius was born in the Millennials Generation . 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. Daryl King, their high school coach, would frequently phone Waters. [48] In December 2018, Leonard announced the couple was expecting a baby girl. No way I should be seeing a heart specialist. Darius's other brother Keivonte died in 2012 due to injuries sustained in a bar fight. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. . [23] In Week 15, Leonard broke the Colts' franchise record for most tackles by a rookie in a single season with 143, in a 230 win vs the Dallas Cowboys. "And I was like, 'Ok.' after going through his own struggles following the death of his A few months later, Kayla had a surprise for Darius - she was expecting. Thomas and Darren Leonard was the butt of elementary school jokes for wearing high waters and shoes from the discount department store, Maxway. Before every game, Leonard winds tape tightly around his wrist and up his forearm. Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, his brother not being there. For real. Leonard appeared on the July 12, 2020 episode of Celebrity Family Feud in which the NFL rising stars took on retired NFL Hall of Famers, which included players such as Michael Irvin and Cris Carter. On October 14, 2009, Waters agreed to join the Buffalo Bills practice squad. He eventually qualified, but by then he had already decided to attend South Carolina State University, a Football Championship Subdivision school. After the game, at midfield, he asked Kayla to marry him. before training; after his training and practice, he grew to 62 (189 cm) and 180 lbs. "We took a picture together and we were right beside each other. (He somehow was not a Pro Bowl selection.) [5], On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Leonard had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. [42], In Week 15, Leonard had 10 tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and an interception in a 27-17 win over the New England Patriots, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Leonard was projected to be a second or third round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. She never left my side through any moment; she made sure that I had absolutely anything that I needed.. A lot of people have a stigma, especially as men, that Trouble was easy to find in Lake View, South Carolina, a town with a population of less than 800. He ultimately earned Pro Bowl honors that season too. Ballard believed his hidden gem would still be on the board when the Colts picked in the second round. After being traded from the New Orleans Saints to the Denver Broncos, tight end Adam Trautman revealed he was "hoping to get moved.". His 73 solo tackles in 2017 put him in the Top 10 in the nation, and 412 of his sacks came in his final two games. Do check my articles through Players Bio. Year explained he had a minor disagreement with his brother before Rather than go out, where they knew they would get looks of disapproval and feed town gossip, they hung out in private, or with a few friends. You know, just a lot of big milestones have happened.. Kiper's 2023 NFL draft grades: Why two teams clearly had the best weekend, Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL draft picks, depth chart, analysis, Colts say QB Richardson will improve by playing, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, Kiper's winners, reaches and values from Day 2: Every pick he liked and didn't like, Previously worked at Indianapolis Star, covering the Indiana Pacers for nine seasons, Also covered Vikings for St. Paul Pioneer Press. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. Steelers general manager Omar Khan garnered a peculiar nickname after his keen decisions throughout the 2023 NFL Draft. He even played Clemson in a game during his career and had 19 tackles and a blocked field goal in a loss, according to ESPN. After practice, he would stay late, working alone on a deserted field for hours. My heart aches. 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. I keep my focus just seeing what my brother went through. San Diego Chargers selected him in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Used to be that whenever a wave of anxiety like that would hit me, I'd think I was having a heart attack. The Colts know how important health is - to their football team and their community. It's the season of giving. [33][34], Following the season, he was voted into his first Pro Bowl appearance. Darius Leonard was born on Thursday, July 27, 1995, in South Carolina, United States.His given name is Darius Leonard, and friends just call his Darius. Darius Shaquille Leonard (born July 27, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . "I definitely loved that - an athlete who was just as good in their sport as I was in mine.". His wife, Kayla, is the only person who sees that he occasionally aches from the trauma of his past. She was very good at all three sports," he said. [19] The following week, Leonard recorded 13 combined tackles (nine solo) and made two sacks on Eagles' quarterback Carson Wentz in the Colts' 2016 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. I wasn't the full energetic guy I would Meals were scarce, but enjoyable. But he admits that smile is sometimes forced. A post shared by Darius Shaquille Leonard (@mr_highflyer10). EKGs every month. By the start of his senior year, Darius was lining up at five positions: running back, wide receiver, linebacker, safety, and punter. Spr 15. I asked her out in the sixth grade and she told me, 'No.' When Mia arrived in March, she changed everything. I get emotional because it goes back to how he was raised and the man hes become.. [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. We've been through so much and now it's like we're on top of the world! Leonard ultimately earned two MEAC Defensive Player of the Year awards while he was at South Carolina State. He is also the younger brother to former NFL player Anthony Waters. Unlike other brothers, his younger brother, Darius Shaquille Leonard, is an accomplished American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. ", "She's stuck beside me through thick and thin. Leonard's enjoyment of football was further hindered by a bout with COVID-19 at a crucial point of the 2021 regular season, as well as the seemingly constant pull of worry about a couple of sick . Two of his older brothers were arrested and sentenced to life for murder. When I lost my brother, when I didn't have anything - she was always there," said Darius. After the Minnesota Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the future of current starter Kirk Cousins beyond his contract year. On March 28, 2019, Mia Leonard was born. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is not willing to shut the door on a potential return of running back Ezekiel Elliott after the first wave of free agency and the draft, telling reporters the "ship has not sailed.". He received an overall grade of 80.3 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked ninth among all linebackers in 2018. 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 . You have entered an incorrect email address! On Sunday, the Colts honored Coach Richard Nelloms and Jayden on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. One night over the break, he was going out with friends and asked Darius if he could borrow some clothes. 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. Before Keivontes death, she had never seen Leonard show any real emotion. The world's population was 5,751,474,416 and there were an estimated year babies born throughout the world in . Mock drafts: PPR | Non-PPR How many siblings does Darius Leonard have? Darius Rucker wife. After we greeted one another, he tucked his jewelry into his shirt. By his senior year, Darius' journey to the NFL had begun. He is the guy who stops to change a strangers tire on the side of a country road. Soon, he realized that what he loved was her. After practice, he would stay late, working alone on a deserted field for hours. But in the almost eight years since, she has seen him cry countless times. Tears. He watched the games he missed from home while wearing his jersey and helmet. Darius wanted to follow his brothers path. Having our daughter, him not being there. But since his Week 7 return, he leads NFL linebackers with 74 tackles. The June sun reflects off iridescent dragonflies that zip in the South Carolina morning air. "It was definitely tough being away from the team, not being able to go out there and help your brothers out," Leonard said. Tattooed on his forearm is the face of his companion star, Keivonte. Leonard and Kayla graduated the next semester. We were only 1 year apart so you can guess how close we were! @kdubb_15 man I miss you and love you more than I've ever expressed while you were here! Darius Leonard is an American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. They know their love can conquer anything. their basement and the commercial comes on, and maybe they think, The Colts linebacker also didnt seek revenge on those who had a part in another brother's death during a fight in a nightclub in 2012. 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. New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen says receiving high draft grades on the team's 2023 NFL Draft class doesn't win games in April. "We went to a party and I asked him to go with me and my friend," she said. The Colts won nine of their last 10 regular-season games, plus a playoff game for the first time since 2014. It's something we talked about, something that I really wanted.". Leonard is one of nine children to a single mother. Growing up in Lake View, I heard the N-word used regularly, Kayla says. Although he wanted to give his younger brother Darius the same opportunity, he wasnt going to. 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. Ive got two brothers incarcerated and one deceased. He avoided those problems because he always wanted to be different in every aspect, said Chris Ford, one of Leonards closest childhood friends. In 2018, Leonard led the NFL in total tackles with 163, and in solo tackles with 111. 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. In Week 15 against the Houston Texans, Leonard led the team with 15 tackles and forced a fumble on wide receiver Keke Coutee that was recovered by the Colts during the 2720 win. The first day back to school after Christmas was always rough. The AFC South should still be relatively weak for another year (assuming the Houston Texans trade Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence doesn't take too big a leap), so the Colts could easily find themselves in the exact same position again this time next year I'll do anything just to see, talk and hug you one more time! The 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the His play ultimately helped him earn First-Team All-Pro honors. It is safe to say that this season has not gone according to plan. Waters, a single mother, had to work multiple jobs at once to keep food on the table and the lights on for her nine children.
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