It was a matter of getting by and adapting. For his performance, Leonard was once again awarded with AFC Defensive Player of the Week. He stops just below Keivontes eyes. Leonard and Keivonte were born only a year apart. "I knew I needed help, and for a long time, I The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. You can see a smile in his play, like you can hear a smile over the phone. "We took a picture together and we were right beside each other. On November 11, 2017, Leonard proposed to his girlfriend Kayla, whom he had known since kindergarten, after SC State beat Hampton. [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. Wherever you are, this is how you football!Learn moreabout NFL+. They say time usually heals but I havent done much healing! December 15th will always be the worst day of my life knowing that your life was taken away! Ballard believed his hidden gem would still be on the board when the Colts picked in the second round. So the temptation and peer pressure was always present. He also had seven sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Daryl King, their high school coach, would frequently phone Waters. He has been called by his middle name, Shaquille, for a long time. Darius Leonard is one of the best players in the entire NFL. By his senior year, Darius' journey to the NFL had begun. Leonard became the highest-paid outside linebacker in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $99.25 million contract with the Colts on August 8, 2021, which included a $52.5 million guaranteed extension. After Darius junior year of high school, Keivonte left Lake View for Columbia, South Carolina, where he attended Benedict College on a basketball scholarship. 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. It just means a lot to me.. Add a little tropical island spirit to your next tailgate with these tasty and super easy Aloha Beef Sliders! I currently write articles related to players for Hansikar Technologies. The Colts still managed to start 5-2 but then lost five of six. [Clemson coach] Dabo Swinney told him after the game that they missed out on not getting him, Ford recalled. The tiny gray townhouse in Mullins, South Carolina. Its been 7 years since you left this crazy world and it still seems just like it was yesterday! First, quarterback Andrew Luck abruptly retired in the preseason. Beth was working for VH1 at the time and maybe her time in . On July 27, 2022, he tweeted on Twitter that he has been using Shaquille since 1995. Who Is Angelia Jefferson? He watched the games he missed from home while wearing his jersey and helmet. [33][34], Following the season, he was voted into his first Pro Bowl appearance. Tarik Cohen injured during workout by Steven J. Gaither May 17, 2022 When the house was particularly crowded, they shared a bed. Anthony Waters, Brother of Darius Leonard (Source: Wikipedia). What got him through many of those childhood trials was his relationship with Keivonte. From $100K on his wedding to $280K on classic cars, find out everything Darius Leonard spent the first million dollars in the NFL on. always be. two of his older brothers were arrested and sentenced to life for murder. A third brother was killed in . brother, Keivonte Waters, in 2012. "We've got to reach that person who is sitting in Darius Leonard looked into the young man's eyes, and once he managed to look past the anguish and regret and hopelessness, he saw something that looked strangely familiar. Waters was thinking about that moment last February, when she went into full-sprint mode, the way her son does when hes pursuing a ball carrier. Everything you need for a successful fantasy football season. During the time of writing, he maintains a career stat of 61 games played, 15 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, and 549 total tackles. "Then, I got nervous. 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. The furry face of the franchise since 2006 - this summer, Colts mascot, Blue, will be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. 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. With a lifetime of memories behind them and a lifetime before them, the story of Darius and Kayla is many chapters long. He returned to the Saints on December 9, 2009, after spending eight weeks with the Bills practice squad. It's fun to have someone who loves what you love.". [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. "Me breaking down, showing my Leonard is one of nine children five brothers, three sisters. So he got off to an early start. Leonard was the butt of elementary school jokes for wearing high waters and shoes from the discount department store, Maxway. Leonards $1.6 million salary this season makes him the 93rd highest-paid linebacker in football a ranking that should change significantly the next time hes eligible for a contract. Darius Leonard was raised on a farm bailing hay, raising crops, hunting, fishing, and everything else many southerners do growing up. But, burning that fuel affects Leonard in ways that go somewhat unnoticed. He was hit from behind and knocked cold, dying after a brief stay in the hospital. Darius and his brother Anthonys life wasnt always perfect. In his career at South Carolina State, he started all 43 games and led the team in tackles in three separate seasons. The June sun reflects off iridescent dragonflies that zip in the South Carolina morning air. Gradually, they allowed more people to find out about them, but there was a cost. [26] Leonard recorded the most tackles among all players as a rookie in 2018. Keivonte always wanted to make everyone laugh.. Thats Darius being Darius. Leonard discussed the importance of Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? But he admits that smile is sometimes forced. Leonard saved his best for last, as he posted career highs in total tackles (113) and sacks (812) as a senior while picking off two more passes and forcing one fumble. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! I really wish i was there the night of your incident but God had other plans! For a time after his brothers death, Leonard thought that celebratory draft moment would not come. Your team will love these Sloppy Joes 5 Ways! On the eve of his 27th birthday, Shaquille Leonard has decided to make a distinct change entering his fifth NFL season. Headed into this season, the Colts were a trendy Super Bowl pick. Wagner signed a 3 year for 54 million dollar deal with 40 million in . Waters was often working, but she made sure Leonard knew where not to go: an area in the Lake View area known as the Hilltop. 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. L'Corine Gilchrist (nee Rucker) . Leonard missed three of those early games in concussion protocol after an injury in Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. importance of reaching out for help," per Battista. [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. They would just stop talking to me and stop giving me rides.. The highest annual salary for an off ball linebacker in the NFL is currently Bobby Wagner's contract at 18 million per year. If you want to know more about Darius, follow him on his, Darius Leonard Brother | Popularity Graph. Im thankful and so proud of him that hes still in touch with his brothers incarcerated.. @kdubb_15 man I miss you and love you more than I've ever expressed while you were here! 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. Leonard ultimately earned two MEAC Defensive Player of the Year awards while he was at South Carolina State. Find your dream seats at our Select-A-Seat event taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium on May 6! The Indianapolis Colts made sure he gets paid like it. figure in the launch of the Kicking the Stigma campaign, said they're Speaking with reporters on Tuesday at Colts training camp, Leonard said. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. with other NFL players, including the Atlanta Falcons' Hayden Hurst Anthony was like a role model for his younger brother, Darius. The team released him on, Anthony Inspired Darius To Compete In NFL. According to Leonard, its not a coincidence that they ended up next to each other in the class picture she moved the other little girls so she could stand by me. (Kayla rolls her eyes, but doesnt deny it.) there is only one other way this could possibly go.". 2 brothers in prison, another killed. and the Las Vegas Raiders' Solomon The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. 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. He and his fiancee had a daughter in 2019. I always remain humble and just keep trying to play each play to my best ability., Darius Leonard avoided his brothers' mistakes on path to All-Pro year. He doesnt hide his displeasure for not making the Pro Bowl last season. One brother, Anthony, also played in the NFL. Charlie is reportedly in prison for a murder case that happened in 1997, Leonard said, according to ESPN. He tackled some tough questions from New York Post columnist Steve Serby. When Mia arrived in March, she changed everything. His wife, Kayla, is the only person who sees that he occasionally aches from the trauma of his past. Colts general manager Chris Ballard was looking for a player who could spearhead their transition to a 4-3 defense that emphasized speed, and he became so set on Leonard's potential he passed on Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith to take guard Quenton Nelson with the No. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as an assistant coach at the Bullis School, Potomac, Maryland, from September 2012 to January 2014. 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 After four full seasons in the NFL, the linebacker will be known as Shaquille instead of Darius.. [8] Leonard attended the NFL Scouting Combine, but was unable to complete all of his combine drills after injuring his quadriceps while running his 40-yard dash. way I'm 19, 20 years old feeling this way, no way I should be getting the fact their relationship ended on a low note after years of being One brother, Anthony, also played in the NFL. She didnt want me to have to be fist-bumping my family through the glass [in prison] like my brothers. "I left work early because I was teaching and I had my work clothes on. He wanted to play at Clemson, like his brother, Anthony Waters. I dont take nothing for granted. [46], Leonard missed the first three weeks of the season while recovering from offseason back surgery. Three months after she arrived, Mia had a very important job. Darius Leonard is a member of the Indianapolis Colts' football team, an American football player. I was giving her a hard time. He eventually qualified, but by then he had already decided to attend South Carolina State University, a Football Championship Subdivision school. It physically hurts. Leonard was eating with his future wife, Kayla, and Ford. Darius was severely affected as Keivonte happened to be his closest sibling. We had a mutual friend who had a barn and we would go there and hang out with all of our friends. 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. [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. His life changed in one play and I know how quickly this game [can end]. From childhood classmates to teenage sweethearts to Mr. and Mrs. and mom and dad - for Darius and Kayla, so much has changed over the years. While the concussion . Leonard makes a video with students during a Giveback Event at his former school, Lake View Elementary, where he handed out Lands End backpacks and winter coats. "I talked trash to her. aggressive positions on the field, there's still no weakness because Did Darius Leonard change his name to Shaquille? My chest gets tight. Speaking with reporters on Tuesday at Colts training camp, Leonard said he'd like to be called by his middle name, Shaquille, going forward, per Colts reporter Larra Overton. I called her to the middle of the field," he said. As a 24-year-old family man, NFL star and Colts team captain, the pressure Leonard puts on himself has only increased. Colts star Darius Leonards first two years in the league have been among the best debuts ever by a linebacker. We had our t-shirts from kindergarten and we signed our names right beside each other.". A post shared by Darius Leonard (@mr_highflyer10) on Feb 10, 2019 at 4:12pm PST. "It definitely was . Anthony Waters Coaching At The Lake View High School (Source: Twitter). It didnt work, he says. And I had my Colts friends there.". Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard is entering his third NFL season as a star on the rise. Thomas and Darren Veteran RB Latavius Murray signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills, the team announced Monday. work many jobs simultaneously to provide for her family. Shaquille, for a long time. After the game, he says, My teammates said I played like a straight maniac. It stuck. I couldn't sleep. He is known by many as Darius. He received an overall grade of 80.3 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked ninth among all linebackers in 2018. The Lifelong Love Story Of Darius And Kayla Leonard From childhood classmates to teenage sweethearts, Mr. and Mrs., and mom and dad - Darius and Kayla Leonard have a love story that spans. And he knew he wanted to take Kayla with him. To Leonard, that meant his professional football dreams were over before they began. Sleepless nights, grief counselors, weight lost. 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 . A good partner brings out the best in you. 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? She was always trying to protect me so I didnt end up on the same route as my two brothers, Leonard said. 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. "That's better than keeping Everybody was either related or knew each other. Check it out! Anthonys mother had to work many jobs simultaneously to provide for her family. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Leonard and Anthony chose a different path than his brothers. After practice, he would stay late, working alone on a deserted field for hours. Playing for a school like South Carolina State, Leonard wasnt a big-time prospect going into the 2018 NFL draft. But only the details of 4 of them are available. Anthony During His Collegiate Days (Source: 247 Sports), When he returned home one day, Anthony recalls giving Darius a duffle bag filled with cones, resistance wires, and a speed ladder and telling him, If you want to make it, you will have to go and get it on your own.. He fiercely raises the hand sign of his frat, Omega Psi Phi while he does a jubilant, wide-legged jig. Leonards favorite portrayal is YFN Luccis 2016 song, Everyday We Lit I came up from nothing / Did it on my own / I swear I aint never expected it to be like this.. Darius Shaquille Leonard (born July 27, 1995) is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . His NFL aspirations were alive and well. No words need to be spoken. He ranked in the nations top 15 in solo tackles. It made all the difference in the world, King says. Anthony Devonne Waters was born on July 25, 1985, in Dillon, South Carolina, to his single mother, Lynette Waters. Youre an injury away from not playing this game anymore. The Colts won nine of their last 10 regular-season games, plus a playoff game for the first time since 2014. He had 19 tackles and a blocked field goal in a 59-0 loss to Clemson in 2016. [5], On November 20, 2017, it was announced that Leonard had accepted his invitation to play in the 2018 Senior Bowl. Darius entered the professional arena after the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. On March 20, 2018, Leonard participated at South Carolina State's pro day and performed the rest of his combine drills. Anthony Waters seemed to have a bright NFL future before tearing his ACL in the first game of his senior season at Clemson, Leonard said. ", "We knew we wanted to get married and being so far away from home, we wanted to go ahead and do it," she said. And then in the 11th grade, she came back begging. That would have been a moment of me trying to steer him in the right direction. [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. "I wanted to show that she's the one and she deserves everything," he said. Meals were scarce, but enjoyable. "That's what had been eating me better for me. Along with friends and family, many of Darius' teammates and former teammates were in attendance. It was both a celebration and a thank you to those who supported them along the way. Leonard at the home of his in-laws. "Get ready to rock 'n' roll when time comes.". Her beautiful smile. She talked trash to me. At Leonards 2018 draft party, as the family gathered in Myrtle Beach, Colts general manager Chris Ballard called Leonard early in the second round and asked, Do you want to be a Colt? Minutes later, the announcement was made on TV, and the house erupted around Leonard, whose bright smile masked what was rumbling beneath. Darius Shaquille Leonard is a popular name in football. We were always together. His oldest brother, Charlie Waters, is serving a life sentence for murdering an 18 years old girl during an armed robbery at a fast food restaurant. He became a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, and did play at Death Valley as an opponent. "We got married officially a couple weeks after I got drafted," he said. I lost so much He was named a First-Team All-Pro and Defensive Rookie of the Year in his rookie season. [14], Leonard entered training camp slated as the starting weakside linebacker. A little more than a decade later, another brother was found guilty of accessory to murder. A second round pick by the Colts in the 2018 NFL Draft, all of Darius' dreams were coming true. 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." [12] Leonard was the sixth linebacker taken in the draft. Just days later, that relationship would be what got Leonard through Keivontes death. Darius was 510 (156 cm) and 135 lbs. We had a great time.". Im getting emotional, tearing up. "We were all around him watching TV and he was on the phone with Chris Ballard and the family got so loud he had to tell everybody to be quiet. Everyone was related or acquainted with one another, and peer pressure was constant. We were only 1 year apart so you can guess how close we were! This article was last updated by Krisha Shrestha on April 26, 2023. Nor is it an outlet to release the emotions he has bottled up. 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. I had a big chip on my shoulder, he says. However, he never did. Hes not going to forget about them. They know their love can conquer anything. 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. 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. [30] In Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins, Leonard recorded a team high 13 tackles, sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick once, intercepted a pass thrown by Fitzpatrick, and forced a fumble on tight end Mike Gesicki which was recovered by teammate Kenny Moore in the 1612 loss. "I had my childhood friends there. We thought we knew what love was until she came," Kayla said. "Her beautiful eyes," he said. said there are still moments where those thoughts about his brother pop God let my child live his dream, whether or not he buys me nothing. He wasnt good enough to win a championship, and soon found out he wasnt good enough for Clemson. Darius Leonard grew up one of nine kids in the no-stoplight, no-McDonald's town of Lake View, S.C., where the population is less than 800 and the median household income is less than $30,000.. I dont take nothing for granted.. Dariuss full fame is Darius Shaquille Leonard. Darius Leonard and company will likely be a borderline playoff team again next season. Leonard pushes his daughters stroller through a Lake View High School football game. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00am at his church. Jeffrey Brown/Icon . Waller, with NBC's Carson Daly serving In general manager Ran Carthon's first draft in charge in Tennessee, the Titans made six selections, all of them on offense, the first time since at least 1994 that the club used all of its selections on one side of the ball. Unlike other brothers, his younger brother, Darius Shaquille Leonard, is an accomplished American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. Despite their scarcity, the meals were good. From clothes and shoes and presents to their presence - being able to give back is something the Colts take to heart. When my brother died, we werent even public and she said, I dont care, Im going to be the best armor for you the whole way. When I lost the scholarship at Clemson, she was there, Leonard says. [18] For his performance, he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. 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. He returned in Week 4, and suffered a concussion and broken nose in the game, missing the next three games. I keep my focus just seeing what my brother went through. Before getting into the details, let us first go through some quick facts. emotions, that's helping me out rather than keeping my emotions He said Cody is in prison because he was an accessory at a wrong place, wrong time.. Thats the kind of guy is, King says. By the start of his senior year, Darius was lining up at five positions: running back, wide receiver, linebacker, safety, and punter. I definitely knew she was in it for all the right reasons. According to Colts.com, he was the first player since Bryan Cox in 1992 to record at least 125 tackles, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles in a single season. Lake View's Leonard follows in brother's footsteps | Sports News | scnow.com Skip to. his death during a fight at a club. 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. Leonard has gone from being an unknown guy while coming into the NFL draft to becoming one of the best linebackers in the league. 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.
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