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Shaquille Leonard is an accomplished former NFL linebacker, known for his impactful play and leadership on the field.
Former NFL linebacker Shaquille Leonard wakes up with "GMFB" to discuss his retirement.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard prefers to be called Shaquille Leonard from now on ... partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen ...
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard prefers to be called Shaquille Leonard from now on ... partnerships with the likes of Reuters and Nielsen ...
Franklin and Leonard both are members of Omega Psi Phi, a historically Black fraternity, and one of the pillars of Omega Psi Phi is to uplift ...
Leonard appeared on the July 12, 2020, episode of Celebrity Family Feud in which several NFL rising stars took on retired NFL Hall of Famers, including Michael Irvin and Cris Carter.
Darius Shaquille Leonard was born on July 27, 1995, in Nichols, South Carolina. He played high school football at Lake View High School before attending South Carolina State University. At South Carolina State, Leonard displayed his talent early, leading the team in tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2014. He continued to excel throughout his college career, earning first-team all-conference selections and winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player of the Year award twice in 2016 and 2017. His performance at the 2018 Senior Bowl significantly raised his profile among NFL scouts.
Leonard was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round, 36th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He quickly made an impact, earning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award in September 2018. In his rookie season, Leonard led the league in solo and combined tackles, setting Colts franchise records for most tackles by a rookie and in a single season. His exceptional play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2018. He was also voted into the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
Throughout his career with the Colts (2018-2023), Leonard established himself as a dominant force. He was a three-time First-Team All-Pro (2018, 2020, 2021) and a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2019-2021). In 2021, he led the NFL in forced fumbles. After being waived by the Colts in November 2023, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for a brief period before announcing his retirement with the Colts in October 2025. Known informally as “Maniac” for his energetic style, Leonard’s career was marked by consistent high-level performance and leadership.
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