Darius Leonard impressed as a rookie for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Leonard won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and was named first team All-Pro after leading the league with 163 tackles.
The former No. 36 overall pick by the Colts added seven sacks, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, eight passes defended and 12 tackles for a loss. A native of Nichols, South Carolina, Leonard set the South Carolina State record for most career tackles.
Where does his inspiration to work hard come from? He explained in a tweet shared on Sunday.
Have you ever seen your mama work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet?? It was the nights without lights or the nights that we had to boil water for a bath that makes me push whenever I feel like I can’t go anymore! I got everything out the MUD! Y’all can’t relate to that! #Maniac pic.twitter.com/Mh6ysdzV4B
— Darius Leonard (@dsleon45) July 14, 2019
“Have you ever seen your mama work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet?? It was the nights without lights or the nights that we had to boil water for a bath that makes me push whenever I feel like I can’t go anymore! I got everything out the MUD! Y’all can’t relate to that!” Leonard wrote.
That kind of inspiration and drive has helped produce one of the best young defensive players in the league. We’d bet on him continuing to get better.
