The three times the second All-Pro Shaquille Leonard will officially retire from the NFL this weekend.
The Indianapolis colts announced on Wednesday that Leonard will call this a career at halftime in his home match against Las Vegas raiders on Sunday. He will hold a press conference that morning at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Leonard played games of his first six seasons with the Colts, who selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He quickly won the Prix de la recruue defensive of the year of the NFL and was appointed as a first team All-Pro this season after having led the league with 163.
Leonard, 30, was appointed in the first All-Pro team in 2020 and 2021 and was appointed to three Pro Bowls (2019-21). He led the NFL with eight escaped forced in 2021.
Leonard became the best paid second in the league in August 2021 when he signed an extension of $ 98.5 million over five years. He was released by the colts in November 2023 after being frustrated by his playing time.
“Colts Nation will always remember the palpable energy of Maniac on the ground with each tackle, interception, punchout and escaped recovery,” said the owner and CEO of the Fire of the Colts, Jim Irsay, in a statement after Leonard’s release. “Outside the field, he is a leader and has helped many families in his hometown and in the community of Indianapolis. We are grateful to Shaq and to the contributions he brought to our organization. We wish him and his beautiful family the best to move forward.”
Leonard, who ended his career with the Eagles of Philadelphia in 2023, totaled 637 plated, 17 forced escapes, 16 bags and 12 interceptions in 75 games (71 departures).
– field level media
