Lawyer Milloy facts for kids
Milloy with the Seattle Seahawks in 2010
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| No. 36 | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | November 14, 1973 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 211 lb (96 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Lincoln (Tacoma, Washington) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Washington (1992–1995) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1996 / Round: 2 / Pick: 36 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Lawyer Marzell Milloy (born November 14, 1973) is a former professional football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons. Milloy played college football for the Washington Huskies. He was recognized as an unanimous All-American for his excellent play. The New England Patriots selected him in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Seattle Seahawks. Milloy was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times and was a two-time All-Pro player. He was also a key member of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXVI.
College Football Career
Lawyer Milloy attended the University of Washington. He played football for the Huskies from 1993 to 1995. In 1994, he was the only sophomore in the Pac-10 Conference to earn all-conference honors. He led his team in tackles with 106. He was the first Husky defensive back to lead the team in tackles since 1972.
As a junior, Milloy continued to excel. He led the team in tackles for the second year in a row with 115. He also forced three fumbles and made an interception. In 1995, he was named a unanimous All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best college football players in the country by many different groups. He also received first-team All-Pac-10 honors.
Milloy was also a talented baseball player. The Cleveland Indians drafted him as a pitcher when he was in high school. He played baseball for three seasons at Washington. In 1994, his Huskies baseball team made it to the NCAA regional finals, which is like the "Sweet 16" of college baseball.
Professional Football Career
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
30+1⁄2 in (0.77 m) |
9+1⁄8 in (0.23 m) |
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| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
Before the NFL draft, Lawyer Milloy met with Bill Belichick, who was a coach for the New England Patriots. Experts thought Milloy would be picked in the first or second round of the draft.
New England Patriots Years
The New England Patriots chose Milloy in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft. He was the second safety picked that year.
Starting His NFL Journey (1996)
During his first training camp, Milloy worked hard to become the starting strong safety. He impressed the coaches, and by Week 8, he earned the starting spot. On October 20, 1996, he made his first career start. He recorded seven tackles and forced his first fumble. Later that season, he made his first interception and his first sack. He finished his rookie year with 82 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack.
The Patriots had a great season, finishing first in their division. Milloy played in his first playoff game on January 5, 1997, making an interception. The Patriots made it to Super Bowl XXXI, where Milloy recorded eight tackles.
Continued Success (1997-1999)
In 1997, Milloy became a full-time starter at strong safety. He played in all 16 games and had 112 tackles and three interceptions. The Patriots made the playoffs again.
In 1998, Milloy had a standout year. He recorded nine tackles and scored his first career touchdown by returning an interception 30 yards. He finished the season with a career-high six interceptions. Because of his excellent play, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl.
He continued his strong performance in 1999, making 120 tackles and four interceptions. He was selected for the 2000 Pro Bowl again, showing he was one of the best safeties in the league.
Super Bowl Champion (2000-2002)
In 2000, Bill Belichick became the new head coach for the Patriots. Belichick had coached Milloy when he was a rookie. Milloy signed a new contract, making him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. He continued to be a key player, starting all 16 games.
In 2001, the Patriots had an amazing season. Milloy was a leader on defense, making 113 tackles and two interceptions. He was selected for his third Pro Bowl. The Patriots made it to the playoffs and eventually won Super Bowl XXXVI against the St. Louis Rams. Milloy played a big role in the Super Bowl victory, earning his first and only Super Bowl ring.
In 2002, Milloy continued to play well, making 94 tackles. He was selected for his fourth and final Pro Bowl.
Leaving the Patriots
In September 2003, the New England Patriots released Milloy. This happened after he decided not to take a pay cut to stay with the team.
Buffalo Bills Years
Just one day after leaving the Patriots, the Buffalo Bills signed Milloy to a new contract. His first game with the Bills was against his old team, the New England Patriots. The Bills won 31-0, and Milloy had five tackles and sacked his former quarterback, Tom Brady.
In 2003, Milloy started all 16 games for the Bills. He recorded 104 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Injury and Return (2004-2005)
In 2004, Milloy broke his forearm during a preseason game. He missed the first five games of the season because of this injury. When he returned, he quickly made an impact. In Week 11, he had a career-high three sacks in one game. He finished the season with 61 tackles and four sacks in 11 games.
In 2005, Milloy continued as the starting strong safety for the Bills. He played in all 16 games and recorded 106 tackles. In March 2006, the Bills released Milloy as part of a plan to manage their team's salary.
Atlanta Falcons Years
In March 2006, the Atlanta Falcons signed Milloy to a three-year contract. He became the starting strong safety for the Falcons. In his first season with Atlanta, he started all 16 games and made 98 tackles and two sacks.
Continued Play (2007-2008)
In 2007, Milloy continued to be a starting safety for the Falcons. He played in all 16 games and recorded 90 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2008, Milloy remained a starting safety. He played in 15 games and had 93 tackles and an interception. The Falcons made it to the playoffs that year.
Seattle Seahawks Years
In September 2009, the Seattle Seahawks signed Milloy. He played in all 16 games, mostly as a backup safety.
Final Season (2010)
In 2010, the Seahawks signed Milloy for another year. Pete Carroll, who had coached Milloy with the Patriots, was now the head coach for the Seahawks. Carroll named Milloy the starting strong safety. Milloy had a strong season, recording 88 tackles and four sacks. His two sacks against the Chicago Bears earned him a spot in the "20/20 club" (meaning he had at least 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in his career).
The Seahawks won their division and made the playoffs. They famously upset the New Orleans Saints in the Wildcard Game. Milloy played in both playoff games. After the 2010 season, Milloy was not re-signed by the Seahawks. This was because younger players like Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor were emerging.
NFL Career Statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Won the Super Bowl | |
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 1996 | NE | 16 | 10 | 84 | 52 | 30 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7.0 | 14 | 0 | 7 |
| 1997 | NE | 16 | 16 | 112 | 80 | 31 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 5.0 | 15 | 0 | 11 |
| 1998 | NE | 16 | 16 | 120 | 79 | 41 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 54 | 9.0 | 30 | 1 | 11 |
| 1999 | NE | 16 | 16 | 120 | 91 | 29 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 3.2 | 17 | 0 | 6 |
| 2000 | NE | 16 | 16 | 121 | 86 | 31 | 0.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2001 | NE | 16 | 16 | 113 | 77 | 36 | 3.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 10.5 | 21 | 0 | 3 |
| 2002 | NE | 16 | 16 | 94 | 65 | 29 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2003 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 104 | 69 | 35 | 3.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2004 | BUF | 11 | 11 | 61 | 39 | 22 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 11 | 0 | 5 |
| 2005 | BUF | 16 | 16 | 106 | 75 | 31 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2006 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 98 | 72 | 26 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2007 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 90 | 76 | 14 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 19 | 0 | 5 |
| 2008 | ATL | 15 | 15 | 93 | 76 | 17 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 38 | 38.0 | 38 | 0 | 5 |
| 2009 | SEA | 16 | 1 | 34 | 27 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 88 | 61 | 27 | 4.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Career | 234 | 213 | 1,431 | 1,025 | 406 | 21.0 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 25 | 205 | 8.2 | 38 | 1 | 86 | |
Personal Life
Lawyer Milloy was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in Tacoma, Washington. He attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma. There, he was excellent at high school football, baseball, and basketball. In his senior year, he was named a high school All-American. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and had 15 touchdowns as a running back. He also intercepted seven passes as a safety.
Milloy married his college girlfriend, Claudine. She was also a talented athlete, an All-American in track at Washington. They live in Woodinville, Washington and have four daughters: Amirah, Kiki, Tia, and Breya. All of his daughters have played college softball. Amirah played for the Washington Huskies softball team. Kiki played for the Tennessee Volunteers softball team. Tia began playing for the University of Oklahoma softball team in 2025.
