Leonard Little facts for kids

Leonard Antonio Little, born on October 19, 1974, is a former professional football player. He played as a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Little played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He was recognized as an All-American for his great skills. The Rams chose him in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft. He played his entire twelve-year career with the Rams.

Early Life and High School Football

Leonard Little grew up in Asheville, North Carolina. He went to Asheville High School. There, he was a star player on the football team. He played both linebacker and wide receiver. Little was a starter for three years. In his senior year, he was named a First-team All-American. This means he was one of the best high school players in the country. In 2005, his high school honored him by retiring his #30 jersey. This means no other player at the school can wear that number.

College Football Career

Little started his college football journey at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas. After one season, he moved to the University of Tennessee. He played three seasons for the Tennessee Volunteers. In his senior year, he started every game as a Middle Linebacker. He led his team in tackles (87) and sacks (8.5). A "tackle" is when a player stops an opponent with the ball. A "sack" is when a defensive player tackles the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

Little was named first-team All-America and first-team All-Southeastern Conference in his senior year. In his junior year, he played as a defensive end. He had 33 tackles and 8.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles. A "fumble" is when a player loses control of the ball. As a sophomore, he had 62 tackles and 11 sacks. Little's 28 career sacks at Tennessee rank third all-time. He earned a degree in psychology from Tennessee.

Professional Football Career

Getting Ready for the NFL Draft

Before the NFL Draft, players go through tests. Little was 6 feet 3½ inches tall and weighed 237 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.48 seconds. The "40-yard dash" measures a player's speed. He was expected to be picked in the first round. However, teams weren't sure if he would play as a linebacker or a defensive end in the NFL.

Playing for the St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams chose Leonard Little in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft. He was the 65th player picked overall. The Rams traded up to get him because they thought another team might pick him. Little signed a three-year contract for $1.2 million. He started his NFL career as a linebacker, wearing number 57. He also played on special teams, helping cover kickoffs and punts.

Little was suspended for eight games in the 1999 season. When he returned, he mostly played on special teams. He also filled in for other defensive ends. He was on the field for a key play in Super Bowl XXXIV, which the Rams won.

In 2000, Little switched to playing defensive end. He gained 20 pounds to help with this change. He played in passing situations, meaning when the other team was likely to throw the ball. In this role, he had 5 sacks and 17 tackles. He also made 18 tackles on special teams.

In 2001, Little changed his jersey number to 91. He became a "pass-rush specialist" for the Rams. This means his main job was to get to the opposing quarterback. He led the Rams with 14.5 sacks, which was third-best in the NFL. He also played well in Super Bowl XXXVI.

In 2002, Little became the starting left defensive end. He played very well, even though he was considered a bit small for the position. He was good at stopping runs and rushing the passer. He recorded 12 sacks and set a team record with nine forced fumbles. He was known for his ability to strip the ball from quarterbacks.

The next year, 2003, was a great one for Little. He was named an All-Pro and chosen for the Pro Bowl. He had 12.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. In one game against the Minnesota Vikings, he had a career-best four sacks. The Vikings' coach said Little "wrecked the game plan." He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance.

In 2004, Little started all 16 games. He had 7 sacks, which was fewer than before. This was because opposing teams often used two players to block him. Even with fewer sacks, he was chosen as an alternate for the Pro Bowl. He also scored his first two NFL touchdowns that year. He picked up four fumbles and returned two of them for scores.

In 2005, Little continued to play well. He had four sacks in the first six games. He finished the season leading the Rams with 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.

In 2006, Little signed a new contract. He started all 16 games and led the team with 13.0 sacks. This was tied for fifth-best in the NFL. He also had seven forced fumbles and a career-high 58 tackles. He was again a Pro Bowl alternate.

In 2007, Little had a toe injury that ended his season early. He had surgery to fix it. He changed his contract to stay with the Rams. In 2008, he was slowed by a hamstring injury. He played in 14 games and had six sacks. He also forced two fumbles.

For the 2009 season, Little led the team in sacks for the sixth time in his career with 6.5 sacks. He started 13 games. He even had an amazing 36-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars. An "interception" is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player.

Little retired from professional football on December 15, 2010. He played for 12 seasons in the NFL. He led his team in sacks six times and had four seasons with 12 or more sacks.

NFL Statistics

Key

• GP: games played
• COMB: combined tackles
• TOTAL: total tackles
• AST: assisted tackles
• SACK: sacks
• FF: forced fumbles
• FR: fumble recoveries