Levon Kirkland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Levon Kirkland | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | February 16, 1969 |
| Place of birth | Lamar, SC |
| Position(s) | Middle linebacker |
| College | Clemson |
| NFL Draft | 1992 / Round 2/ Pick 38 |
| Pro Bowls | 2 |
| Honors | NFL 1990s All-Decade Team |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1992-2000 2001 2002 |
Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks Philadelphia Eagles |
Levon Kirkland (born February 16, 1969) was an all-pro linebacker in the NFL. A second-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992, he went on to play 11 years in the NFL including 9 seasons with the Steelers, and one each for the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kirkland was a massive inside linebacker, just 6-1 but weighing anywhere from 275-300 pounds during his career. Yet, he had great speed and agility for a big man. He became a starter at inside linebacker for the Steelers in his second season, 1993, replacing Pro Bowler David Little. By 1995, he was recognized as one of the top inside linebackers in the league, and had a stellar performance in Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys at the end of the season. In that game, the Steelers defense held the Cowboys to just 15 first downs and Emmitt Smith and the Cowboys powerful running attack to just 56 yards, despite losing 27-17 in large part due to two key interceptions thrown by Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell. Kirkland had 10 tackles and a key sack of Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman.
That game, and his outstanding 1996 season earned Kirkland his first trip to the Pro Bowl and all-pro honors after the 1996 season. The Steelers had lost their emotioal leader, outside linebacker Greg Lloyd, at the start of the season to a knee injury, but Kirkland took over the mantle of leadership. He also took over Lloyd's role in pass coverage as the only linebacker in the Steelers nickel defense. Opponents thought Kirkland would not be as adept in pass coverage as the fast Lloyd, but they quickly found out that Kirkland was just as fast and quick. He had four interceptions that season, a high amount for an inside linebacker, to go along with four sacks and 114 tackles.
He made the Pro Bowl after the 1997 season as well, making a career-high and team-leading 126 tackes and career-high 5 sacks, as the Steelers went to the AFC Championship game (losing to the Denver Broncos). Although Kirkland played well in the next three seasons (1998-2000), the Steelers struggled on offense, and failed to make the playoffs, and Kirkland did not earn any more Pro Bowl berths despite his strong play.
In a surprise move, the Steelers waived Kirkland just before the 2001 season due to salary cap pressure. That year many star players were waived due the salary cap including John Randle, Troy Aikman, Jerry Rice and many others. Kirkland went to the Seattle Seahawks where he became a leader on the defense and had over 100 tackles. The next year he played his final season for the Eagles, becoming the veteran leader of a defense that ranked 7th in the league and advanced to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Rams.
