Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard finds motivation in those who overlook them and while it has led to a stellar start to his career, that doesn’t mean he’s content with feeling disrespected.
Despite missing three games due to a concussion early in the season, Leonard was able to put together another All-Pro caliber season. It included him recording five interceptions, 5.0 sacks, seven passes defended and seven tackles for loss.
As New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore won the Defensive Player of the Year award, Leonard wanted to voice his concerns about being snubbed.
The DPOY had 6 int as a DB, I had 5 at LB plus 5 sacks and 120 tlks and my name wasn’t even mentioned! Cmon man! I’m very humbled but when I’m getting disrespected I will address it! Keep giving me that motivation to prove y’all wrong! Thanks
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) February 10, 2020
It has been a long road for Leonard in terms of being overlooked and at times disrespected. This is no new thing.
From being dubbed one of the worst picks in the 2018 draft by Bleacher Report to being snubbed a Pro Bowl selection despite being an All-Pro during his rookie year and now Leonard feels this just another example to add to the list.
The candidates for the award included Gilmore, T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald and Cameron Jordan.
An off-ball linebacker hasn’t won the award since former Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly did so in 2013. Since 2005, only two off-ball linebackers have won the award.
Leonard has certainly begun his career as strongly as possible and had it not been for those three games missed due to the concussion, he would have been seriously in the conversation.
It might not have been likely that he would have won the award, but he certainly had a season worth consideration for it.