Leon Hall facts for kids
Hall with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | December 9, 1984 Vista, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Vista | ||||||||||||
| College: | Michigan (2003–2006) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18 | ||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||
Leon Hall, born on December 9, 1984, is a former American football player. He was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was recognized as an All-American during his college career. The Cincinnati Bengals picked Hall in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He also played for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Oakland Raiders.
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Early Life and High School Football
Leon Hall was born in Vista, California. He went to Vista High School. There, he played both wide receiver and cornerback. He was a talented player and even played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After high school, he decided to play for the University of Michigan.
Professional Football Career
Leon Hall had a long career in the NFL. He played for several teams, mostly for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Playing for the Cincinnati Bengals
Starting Strong: 2007 Season
The Cincinnati Bengals chose Leon Hall as the 18th player overall in the 2007 NFL draft. He was the second cornerback picked that year. In July 2007, the Bengals signed him to a five-year contract.
Hall quickly became an important player. He started his first professional game against the Baltimore Ravens. In that game, he made three tackles, broke up two passes, and recovered a fumble. Later in the season, he got his first career interception against the Seattle Seahawks. By Week 10, he became a starting cornerback for the team. He finished his first year with 68 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and five interceptions. He led the Bengals in interceptions that season.
Big Plays and Records: 2008 Season
In 2008, Hall continued to be a starting cornerback. On December 21, 2008, he had an amazing game against the Cleveland Browns. He made three interceptions in that game, which tied a team record. He even returned one of those interceptions for a 51-yard touchdown! This was his first "pick six" (an interception returned for a touchdown). He ended the 2008 season with a career-high 75 tackles and 24 pass break-ups.
Continuing Success: 2009 Season
Hall and his teammate Johnathan Joseph were a strong cornerback duo in 2009. In Week 7, Hall had another great game against the Chicago Bears. He made seven tackles, broke up four passes, and intercepted two passes. He finished the 2009 season with 71 tackles, 24 pass break-ups, two forced fumbles, and a career-high six interceptions.
Steady Performance: 2010 Season
In 2010, Hall and Joseph were still considered one of the best cornerback duos in the league. Hall continued to make key plays. He had an interception against the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 and another against the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. He completed the 2010 season with 44 tackles and four interceptions.
Injury and Comeback: 2011-2013 Seasons
In September 2011, the Bengals signed Hall to a new four-year contract. However, in November 2011, he suffered a serious injury, tearing his left Achilles tendon. This injury ended his season early.
Hall worked hard to recover and returned in 2012. He played in 14 games that season. He even returned an interception for a 15-yard touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals made it to the playoffs that year. In their playoff game, Hall also returned an interception for a touchdown.
Unfortunately, in 2013, Hall suffered another torn Achilles tendon. This injury limited him to only five games that season.
Final Years with Bengals: 2014-2015 Seasons
Hall continued to play for the Bengals in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, he played in 15 games and had 67 tackles. In 2015, he started the season as the third cornerback. He had a great game in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams, returning an interception for a touchdown. For this performance, he was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week. He finished the 2015 season with 55 tackles and two interceptions. The Bengals made the playoffs again that year.
Playing for the New York Giants: 2016 Season
After leaving the Bengals, Leon Hall signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants in August 2016. He quickly became an important part of their defense. In Week 2, he made his first career sack against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints. He finished the season with 31 tackles, two sacks, and one interception in 12 games.
Playing for the San Francisco 49ers: 2017 Season
In October 2017, Hall signed with the San Francisco 49ers. He played in nine games for them, making 16 tackles.
Playing for the Oakland Raiders: 2018 Season
In March 2018, Hall signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. He played in 10 games for the Raiders before a back injury ended his season in November 2018.
NFL Career Statistics
Leon Hall had a successful career in the NFL. Here are some of his career totals:
- Total Tackles: 542
- Passes Deflected: 117
- Interceptions: 27
- Defensive Touchdowns: 3
