In a move that's been whispered about in NFL circles for months, former All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard is set to officially hang up his cleats this weekend. The Indianapolis Colts, the team that drafted him back in 2018, will honor him at halftime during their Week 5 clash against the Las Vegas Raiders. It's a poignant end to a career that burst onto the scene like a thunderclap but faded under the weight of relentless injuries.
Leonard, who initially went by Darius before embracing his middle name, exploded as a rookie with the Colts, leading the league in tackles and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. That 2018 season wasn't just good—it was historic, with 163 combined tackles, four interceptions, and a spot on the NFL's Top 100. Indeed, he followed it up with back-to-back First-Team All-Pro nods in 2019 and 2020, becoming the heart of Indianapolis's defense. Fans still talk about his maniacal energy on the field, that nickname sticking like glue for his relentless pursuit.
But injuries, those cruel spoilers, started piling up. A nagging back issue sidelined him for much of 2022, leading to a shocking release from the Colts that offseason. He bounced to the Philadelphia Eagles and even visited the Dallas Cowboys, yet the spark never fully reignited. Last year, he played just nine games, tallying 42 tackles—solid, but a shadow of his former self. By this past offseason, Leonard found himself unsigned, waiting for that elusive opportunity that never quite materialized. Now, at 30, he's choosing peace over the grind.
The retirement ceremony feels right, though—back with the Colts, where his legacy shines brightest. Three-time All-Pro, four Pro Bowls, and a wall full of accolades that any player would envy. However, one can't help but wonder about the what-ifs, the seasons lost to surgeries and setbacks. As Leonard steps away, it leaves the league pondering how talent like his gets derailed so abruptly.
Perhaps this chapter's close invites us all to reflect on the fragility of football glory.