Three-time All-Professional linebacker Shaquille Leonard is retiring as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, the crew introduced Wednesday.
Leonard will handle Colts followers at halftime of Indianapolis recreation towards the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday and he would be the crew's anvil striker earlier than kickoff.
Leonard, 30, performed most of his six-season profession with the Colts, who chosen him within the second spherical of the 2018 draft out of South Carolina State. He was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Yr in 2018 when he led the NFL in tackles (163) and solo tackles (111) and was named first crew All-Professional.
For the subsequent three seasons he posted greater than 120 tackles every season, was named to 3 Professional Bowls and was named first-team All-Professional two extra occasions (2020 and 2021). He led the NFL with eight compelled fumbles in 2021.
Nevertheless, he was restricted to 3 video games in 2022 because of accidents and underwent two again surgical procedures to handle nerve points that have been inflicting lower-body ache. He referred to as it the “hardest 12 months of my life.”
He returned to motion in 2023 however was launched by the Colts in November that season after he expressed frustration about diminished taking part in time. He was so effectively regarded in Indianapolis for his stellar play and his work locally that the crew gave him an in-game tribute at Lucas Oil Stadium as he watched from a collection the week after his launch.
In 70 video games with Indianapolis, he amassed 614 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 31 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 17 compelled fumbles and 7 fumble recoveries.
He completed the 2023 season with the Philadelphia Eagles and didn't play within the NFL final season.
