Leonard Marshall
Encyclopedia
Leonard Allen Marshall Jr. (born October 22, 1961) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

 defensive lineman who played twelve seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

 (NFL). Marshall played defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...

 for the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

 for ten seasons, then played a season each as a defensive tackle for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 and Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...

. He was a starter on the Giants teams that won Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI
Super Bowl XXI was an American football game played on January 25, 1987 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1986 regular season. The National Football Conference champion New York Giants won their first Super Bowl by defeating...

 and Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV
Super Bowl XXV was an American football game played on January 27, 1991 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida to decide the National Football League champion following the 1990 regular season. The National Football Conference Champion New York Giants defeated the American Football Conference ...

. Marshall recently completed a book, When the Cheering Stops, with CBSsports.com writer William Bendetson about the 1990 season and Super Bowl XXV.

Marshall was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...

 by the Giants in the second round out of Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...

 (LSU) in the 1983 NFL Draft
1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...

. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performances in the 1985, 1986, and 1991 seasons and finished his career with 83.5 quarterback sacks in the regular season and another twelve sacks in the post season. He averaged nearly ten sacks a season from 1985 to 1991, and posted double digit sack totals 3 times. He currently is a professor of Sports Management and Executive-in-Residence at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...

 and runs an annual instructional camp for youth football players in south Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

.

Early life and college

Marshall was born in Franklin, Louisiana
Franklin, Louisiana
Franklin is a city in and the parish seat of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 8,354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Morgan City Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...

. He was the oldest of seven children, whose father, Leonard Marshall Sr., was a foreman at a shipyard
Shipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...

. Initially, Marshall's father did not like the idea of his son playing football, as he thought it was "a stupid game" that would prevent him son from doing more productive things. Later in his life however, Marshall Sr. expressed happiness over his son's success, and even rooted against his beloved Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...

 when his son's Giants teams played them. At the age of 18, Leonard met his future wife Janice Milburn, who was eight years his senior. She had a son, Rod Milburn Jr., who is the son of Olympic Gold Medal winning high hurdler Rod Milburn. Milburn Jr. was eight years old when Marshall and Milburn began dating.

Marshall majored in Business Management at LSU. He chose the school over the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....

 and its Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...

 coach Bear Bryant
Bear Bryant
Paul William "Bear" Bryant was an American college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships...

, because of the school's academic reputation and because it allowed him to stay close to home. Marshall played a crucial role in LSU's 1982 victory over Alabama, making several key tackles and prompting Bryant to state his regret in a post-game press conference for his inability to recruit Marshall. The team finished 8–3–1 and narrowly lost, 21–20, to the University of Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. He was named the team's defensive Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...

 for his performance in the 1982 season.

Professional career

Marshall was selected with the 37th overall selection (the fourth defensive lineman taken) in the 1983 NFL Draft
1983 NFL Draft
The 1983 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1983...

. At the time Los Angeles Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 managing general partner Al Davis
Al Davis
Allen "Al" Davis was an American football executive. He was the principal owner of the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League from 1970 to 2011...

 described him as the steal of the draft. In his rookie season Marshall initially struggled with weight problems which drew the ire of the coaching staff. After trimming down, Marshall made an impact and played strongly against the run but was unable to mount much of a pass rush and finished with a meager .5 sacks on the season. He improved rapidly and recorded 6.5 sacks in 1984. He recorded several key tackles to help the Giants preserve a crucial 16–13 win over the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...

 during the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. His emergence as a pass rusher continued in 1985 and he finished with 15.5 sacks, and was named NFL defensive lineman of the year. He repeated that honor in 1986 as he finished with 12 sacks. He teamed with Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...

 linebacker Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...

 to form a potent pass rush on the right side of the Giants defense. The Giants finished 14–2
1986 New York Giants season
The 1986 New York Giants season was one of the most successful seasons in the professional American football franchise's history. The Giants, who play in the National Football Conference of the National Football League , won their fifth championship—and first Super Bowl—in franchise history during...

 and advanced to the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...

 where they faced the Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

. Marshall recorded two sacks in the Giants 39–20 victory.

Marshall recorded eight sacks in ten games played in the strike shortened 1987 season
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...

. The Giants struggled to a 6–9–1 record in 1987 before rebounding to finish 10–6 in 1988. Marshall again recorded eight sacks as he split time with fellow defensive end John Washington. Marshall recorded 9.5 sacks in 1989, and the Giants lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Rams. Marshall later described this season as a lost opportunity as he felt the Giants had the best team in the league that season. Marshall engaged in a prolonged contract holdout leading up to the 1990 season. He reported late, and after initially struggling to regain his job, recovered to record 4.5 sacks during the season. The Giants started out 10–0 and finished 13–3. They advanced to the NFC Championship game
NFC Championship Game
The National Football Conference Championship Game is one of the two semi-final playoff matches of the National Football League, the largest professional American football league in the United States. The game is played on the penultimate Sunday in January and determines the champion of the...

 where the two-time defending Super Bowl champions San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...

 awaited them.

Marshall is probably best known for his hit that knocked Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...

 out of that game. In the fourth quarter he hit Montana
Joe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...

 so hard that he suffered a bruised sternum, bruised stomach, cracked ribs, and a broken hand. This would be the last game Montana would ever start for the 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...

. In 2007, the hit was ranked as the third most "devastating hit" in NFL history by Fox Sports Net
Fox Sports Net
The Fox Sports Regional Networks, or simply Fox Sports Net , are a collection of cable TV regional sports networks in the United States owned and operated by News Corporation.- Beginnings :...

, and the third most "devastating hit" in sports history by The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period is an American sports television show on Fox Sports Net and Comcast SportsNet. The show regularly featured irreverent and opinionated interviews with top athletes, coaches, celebrities, and entertainers. It also aired Top 50 countdown shows and other sports...

. Marshall finished the game with four tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, and was named NFL defensive player of the week. He also recorded one sack in the Giants Super Bowl XXV victory over the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

.

Marshall continued to play at a high level in 1991, recording 11 sacks. He clashed with new Giants coach Ray Handley
Ray Handley
Ray Handley is a former American football player and coach who is best remembered for his stormy two seasons as head coach of the National Football League's New York Giants in the early 1990s.-Collegiate career:...

 however, and got into a well publicized shouting match with him during halftime of a game against Dallas early in the 1992 season. He recorded four sacks in 1992 and left the Giants via free agency following the season. After a season each with the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 and Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...

, in which he recorded two sacks in both years, Marshall retired at the age of 33. In 1996 he signed a ceremonial contract which allowed him to retire as a Giant. Upon signing the contract he stated, "I wanted to retire as a Giant because it's where my career began. They were people who believed in my talents and helped mold me into the man I am today, and I wanted to thank them for that."

Marshall was selected to three Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...

s, and finished his career with 83.5 sacks in the regular season, and twelve in the postseason. His total of 79.5 as a Giant ranks him fifth in team history.

Post NFL life

Since his NFL career ended Marshall has hosted the annual Leonard Marshall Football Academy Camp which trains football players aged 8–18. The camp uses an extensive list of current and former NFL Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...

ers, to help teach the fundamentals of football in a non-contact setting. It is organized each June in south Florida. The camp also offers scholarships annually to 50 underprivileged youths who qualified through the Marvin Jones Foundation.

Marshall hosted a radio show on WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...

 entitled the Leonard Marshall Show which was recorded in Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
-Demographics:As of 2000, there were 59,673 households out of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.2% were non-families. 34.4% of all households were made up of...

 near Marshall's former residence in Boca Raton, Florida. He also appeared on radio during his five-year stint on The Howard Stern Show where he co-hosted NY Football (CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...

). Marshall is a noted philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...

 who has received several awards in recognition of his charitable work.

Marshall has also worked as an entrepreneur. Among his early ventures he was the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Pro Star Athletic, a licensed Sports apparel company, which was later purchased by International Apparel Manufacturers Group of New York. He also founded and runs a mortgage company in south Florida. He closed his mortgage business as a result of the change of the markets and now in employed as the Vice President of Philanthropic Development for Seeman Holtz Financial Group of Boca Raton. He also consults for Athena Financial Group alongside his friend and business associate Steven Levenson, President and CEO of Athena Group. Marshall is currently a professor of Sports Management at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...

 in South Orange, New Jersey
South Orange, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,964 people, 5,522 households, and 3,766 families residing in the township. The population density was 5,945.3 people per square mile . There were 5,671 housing units at an average density of 1,987.5 per square mile...

.

Marshall was the head coach of the Hudson Catholic High School
Hudson Catholic Regional High School
Hudson Catholic Regional High School is a regional four year co-educational University-preparatory school Catholic high school in Jersey City, in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. The school was established in 1964 by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, and currently serves around 400...

 football team in Jersey City in 2010. Marshall wrote a book about the Giants championship 1990 season, When the Cheering Stops, with CBSsports.com sportswriter William Bendetson, which was released in 2010. He has previously been a resident of Mahwah, New Jersey
Mahwah, New Jersey
Mahwah is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,890. The name Mahwah is derived from the Lenni Lenape word "mawewi" which means "Meeting Place" or "Place Where Paths Meet".The area that is now Mahwah was...

.

Career statistics

SEASON TEAM GP Sacks Int Yds TD FR Yds TD
1983 New York (Giants) 14 .5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1984 New York 16 6.5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1985 New York 16 15.5 1 3 0 0 0 0
1986 New York 16 12 1 0 0 3 0 0
1987 New York 10 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
1988 New York 15 8 0 0 0 0 0 0
1989 New York 16 9.5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1990 New York 16 4.5 0 0 0 0 0 0
1991 New York 16 11 0 0 0 0 0 0
1992 New York 14 4 0 0 0 2 0 0
1993 New York (Jets) 12 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
1993 Washington 16 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
Totals 177 83.5 2 3 0 6 0 0

* Third in the NFL.

Key to Abbreviations

GP= Games Played

Int= Interception

Yds= Yards

t= Play resulted in a touchdown

TD= Touchdowns

FR= Fumbles Recovered

Sources

  • Mulé, Marty. Game of My Life: Lsu: Memorable Moments of Tigers Football, Sports Publishing LLC, 2006 ISBN 159670005X

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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