darius leonard brothers

Unlike other brothers, his younger brother, Darius Shaquille Leonard, is an accomplished American football linebacker for the NFL team Indianapolis Colts. up, but he's become better at handling the emotions after getting 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. I called her to the middle of the field," he said. "The awareness is so critical," Keivonte was being rushed to the hospital, unconscious after a fight at a club. Along with friends and family, many of Darius' teammates and former teammates were in attendance. [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. I have a empty spot if my heart that nobody can fill up but you! Kayla rode with Darius to see Keivonte. While the concussion . We did everything together walked the streets, played ball and threw hands whenever was needed! And he knew he wanted to take Kayla with him. Leonard returned to his hometown of Lake View, South Carolina, during the teams bye week. On November 11, 2017, Leonard proposed to his girlfriend Kayla, whom he had known since kindergarten, after SC State beat Hampton. Two of his older brothers were arrested and sentenced to life for murder. Leonard was the butt of elementary school jokes for wearing high waters and shoes from the discount department store, Maxway. While he was in high school, Leonard wanted to play college football at Clemson. And her eyes - they kept me coming back.". I let her plan everything out. On Saturday, July 30, NFL Network will present Training Camp: Back Together Saturday. By the time he qualified, though, he had already decided to play for South Carolina State University, according to ESPN. We have a caution light, though, Leonard says, pointing toward the center of town. He is also the younger brother to former NFL player Anthony Waters. Tarik Cohen injured during workout by Steven J. Gaither May 17, 2022 But only the details of 4 of them are available. If it werent for football, Id probably be dead or in jail, is an abused clich but it might not be far-fetched to say that, because of football, Leonard is not dead or in jail. He recently took part in a roundtable with other NFL players, including the Atlanta Falcons' Hayden Hurst 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. If you want to know more about Darius, follow him on his, Darius Leonard Brother | Popularity Graph. 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). emotions, that's helping me out rather than keeping my emotions The Colts defense went from 27th in defense-adjusted value over average in 2017 to 10th with Leonard in 2018. "And taking care of us - he always makes sure that we're straight and we have everything we need. Eventually, he got the courage to ask her out. 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. instead of seeking out mental health support. No words need to be spoken. He is known by many as Darius. 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. Texans GM Nick Caserio updates the progress of second-year WR John Metchie, who returned to the practice field this week after missing his entire rookie season battling leukemia. "It felt unreal - him being on the phone and watching it on TV. They called me Two Dollars because thats how much they cost. Leonard answered with more jokes rather than show how much it hurt. Her heart is big. How many siblings does Darius Leonard have? Charlie is in prison for a murder case that happened in 1997, according to Leonard. It made all the difference in the world, King says. He is the guy who stops to change a strangers tire on the side of a country road. I love you lil ugly dude! In 2011, an interracial relationship was still taboo in their tiny Southern town. She was the flower girl in her mom and dad's real wedding - the one Kayla dreamed about growing up. Then I opened the box and I went crazy. He was with us every day at practice, King says. I wanted her to come up with me. 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). [35], In Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, Leonard recorded a team high nine tackles and recorded a strip sack on quarterback Matthew Stafford which was recovered by the Colts during the 4121 win. It didnt work, he says. From clothes and shoes and presents to their presence - being able to give back is something the Colts take to heart. Darius Leonard on love, loss and second chances, stops to change a strangers tire on the side of a country road. Some nights, I still go to a dark place. Oh man, Im losing it, said Lynette Waters, the mother of Indianapolis Colts All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard. [26] Leonard recorded the most tackles among all players as a rookie in 2018. He was among the Saints early-September final cuts. Leonard has a tattoo of his brother, Keivonte Walters, who was killed in 2012. I just remember him leaning on the car, just crying, Kayla says. At the end of the first quarter, he had tips for Coach King. there is only one other way this could possibly go.". Kayla played softball for Claflin University. He has been working as a head football coach at Gaston County School District since July 2014. Tyrell passed away in 2021 while Dante was killed in a car accident recently. Every time I look at football, I look at life, I know how quick life can change, Leonard said. Leonard is still recovering from back surgery he underwent on June 7. He fiercely raises the hand sign of his frat, Omega Psi Phi while he does a jubilant, wide-legged jig. . He, however, still talks to them regularly as Charlie writes him a letter after every game. The team released him on, Anthony Inspired Darius To Compete In NFL. 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." [20] On October 4, 2018, after totaling 54 combined tackles (which led the league, and was most by a player in first four weeks of the season since 1994) and four sacks (leading all rookies) in September, Leonard was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month. Just days later, that relationship would be what got Leonard through Keivontes death. Darius was severely affected as Keivonte happened to be his closest sibling. Although he wanted to give his younger brother Darius the same opportunity, he wasnt going to. After the game, he says, My teammates said I played like a straight maniac. It stuck. Quite the opposite. He made his return in Week 7 against the Houston Texans. you can't show weakness. It was like, 'Wow. One brother, Anthony, also played in the NFL. Her beautiful smile. "I wanted to let her have as big a wedding as she wanted. It was a matter of getting by and adapting. On July 27, 2022, he tweeted on Twitter that he has been using Shaquille since 1995. You've had classic Sloppy Joes, but what about Hawaiian style or Southwest? On November 11, 2017, Leonard proposed to his girlfriend . He is the embodiment of the rags to riches story weve seen chronicled in movies and music. Its been 7 years since you left this crazy world and it still seems just like it was yesterday! The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. You know, just a lot of big milestones have happened.. 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. Or he was playing baseball or at home playing cards with friends. Hes never considered that it could do both. 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. Its pointless for you to say it, Kayla says, so Ive learned to not say Im sorry. . But Colts linebacker Darius Leonard and his wife, Kayla, have known each other for as far back as they can remember. Even now, on the bad days, the routine is always the same. Anthony Waters is a former American football linebacker. I wanted to put them on notice.. Some couples feel like they've known each other forever. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard is entering his third NFL season as a star on the rise. With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! I was digging a hole, going further and further in the hole, until I actually had to talk to a therapist, she says. The Colts still managed to start 5-2 but then lost five of six. He has spent his life pushing through it: Pressure bursts pipes or makes diamonds, he says. Ranks: PPR | non-PPR | Cheat Sheets "My senior day, all eyes were supposed to be on me - so it was definitely a great distraction. [31] In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Leonard recorded 12 tackles and sacked Ryan Tannehill twice in the 3117 loss. 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. Kayla and his mother say Leonard still hasnt directly dealt with the emotional aftermath of the traumatic loss. [38] "I would love if y'all would try to call me Shaquille or 'D' or 'Maniac' and not Darius," Leonard said. "She turned me down at first. Darius was born on July 27, 1995, in Nichols, South Carolina. 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.. 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. Leonards mother, Lynette, turned to counseling. He also knows from experience the game he loves can be taken away from him in one play. Getting drafted, his brother not being there. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius I love, love it that he still talks to them, Lynette Waters said. 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. Only one school had an open spot: South Carolina State University. '", "I got officially married in some South Carolina State shorts, a Colts t-shirt, and some Jordan retros," he laughed. The Indianapolis Colts made sure he gets paid like it. We probably hid our relationship for the first two years, Leonard says. Used to be that whenever a wave of anxiety like that would hit me, I'd think I was having a heart attack. "That's what had been eating me "Every time I say something, her eyes just get real big. But, burning that fuel affects Leonard in ways that go somewhat unnoticed. According to our research, Anthony has 9 siblings. I definitely knew she was in it for all the right reasons.

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