Lawrence Timmons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lawrence Timmons

Timmons with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013
No. 94
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1986-05-14) May 14, 1986 (age 39) Florence, South Carolina, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:	Wilson (Florence, South Carolina)
College:	Florida State (2004–2006)
NFL Draft:	2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (2007–2016) Miami Dolphins (2017)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLIII) Second-team All-Pro (2014) Pro Bowl (2014) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 1,067 Sacks: 35.5 Forced fumbles: 13 Fumble recoveries: 7 Interceptions: 12 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons (born May 14, 1986) is a former American football player. He played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). The Pittsburgh Steelers chose him in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He helped the Steelers win Super Bowl XLIII in his second year. He also played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. Before joining the NFL, he played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

Early Life and High School Football

Lawrence Timmons grew up in Florence, South Carolina. He went to Wilson High School. There, he was a star in both football and track. In football, he played both tight end on offense and linebacker on defense.

During his final year of high school, Timmons made over 150 tackles. He also caught 47 passes for more than 800 yards. His great performance earned him all-state first-team honors. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Experts thought he was one of the top five outside linebacker players in the country.

College Career at Florida State

Timmons decided to play college football for the Florida State Seminoles. As a first-year student, he played in 12 games. He mostly played on special teams and as a backup linebacker. He made 12 tackles that season.

In his second year, Timmons became a key player. He played in all 13 games. He made 35 tackles and had three quarterback sacks. His best game was in the ACC Championship Game. He made eight tackles and two sacks in that game.

By his third year, Timmons became the starting strongside linebacker. He had a fantastic season with 79 tackles and five sacks. He was recognized as an All-American player. He finished his college career with 126 tackles and eight sacks.

Professional Football Career

Timmons (94) playing against the Baltimore Ravens in 2008.

The Pittsburgh Steelers picked Lawrence Timmons as the 15th player in the 2007 NFL draft. He was the first player chosen by the Steelers' new head coach, Mike Tomlin.

Pittsburgh Steelers Years

2007: Rookie Season

Timmons started his NFL career as a backup outside linebacker. He played in all 16 games during his rookie year. He mostly played on special teams. He made 13 tackles in his first season.

2008: Super Bowl Champion

In his second year, Timmons moved to inside linebacker. He made his first career sack against the Baltimore Ravens. In Week 7, he had his best game with ten tackles and two sacks. He earned his first start against the Washington Redskins.

Timmons also got his first career interception against the New England Patriots. The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XLIII. Timmons helped his team win the Super Bowl by making five tackles. He finished the season with 65 tackles and 5.0 sacks.

2009: Becoming a Starter

Timmons became a full-time starter for the 2009 season. He made 78 tackles, 7.0 sacks, and forced three fumbles. He played in 14 games and started 13 of them.

2010: Career Highs and Another Super Bowl

This was a standout year for Timmons. He led the Steelers with 135 tackles. He also had 3.0 sacks and two interceptions. The Steelers had the best run defense in the league that year.

Timmons and the Steelers reached Super Bowl XLV. He started the game and made three tackles. However, the Steelers lost to the Green Bay Packers.

2011-2013: Consistent Play

In 2011, Timmons signed a big five-year contract extension with the Steelers. He continued to be a strong player. In 2012, he scored his first career touchdown. He intercepted a pass and ran 52 yards to the end zone. He finished that season with 106 tackles and a career-high three interceptions.

In 2013, Timmons led the team in tackles for the second time. He made 126 tackles and started all 16 games.

2014: Pro Bowl and All-Pro Honors

Timmons had another excellent season in 2014. He made 132 tackles. His hard work was recognized when he was chosen for his first Pro Bowl. He was also named Second-team All-Pro, which means he was one of the best players at his position in the entire league.

2015-2016: Final Years with Steelers

Timmons continued to play well in his last two seasons with the Steelers. In 2015, he had 119 tackles and 5.0 sacks. The Steelers made the playoffs that year. In 2016, he made 114 tackles and had two interceptions. He helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship game.

Miami Dolphins

In 2017, Timmons signed a two-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. Early in the season, he briefly left the team to be with his family. He was later reinstated and played 14 games for the Dolphins. He was released by the team in March 2018.

NFL Career Statistics

Lawrence Timmons had a long and successful NFL career. He played in 172 games. He recorded 1,067 total tackles, 35.5 sacks, and 12 interceptions. He was known for his strong tackling and leadership on defense.

Personal Life

Lawrence Timmons's middle name, Olajuwon, was given to him by his mother. She was a big basketball fan and named him after the famous NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon.