Lorenzo Neal facts for kids
Neal in February 2008
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| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | December 27, 1970 Hanford, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | Lemoore (Lemoore, California) |
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| College: | Fresno State (1989–1992) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1993 / Round: 4 / Pick: 89 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Lorenzo LaVonne Neal, born on December 27, 1970, is a former American football player. He played as a fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The New Orleans Saints picked him in the 1993 NFL draft.
He was chosen for the Pro Bowl four times and was named All-Pro three times. He played for many teams, including the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Oakland Raiders. Lorenzo Neal is known as one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history. He helped a running back gain over 1,000 yards in 11 seasons in a row.
Contents
Early Life and High School Sports
Lorenzo Neal grew up in Lemoore, California. He went to Lemoore High School, where he was a star in both football and wrestling. In football, he set many rushing records for his team, gaining over 2,000 yards in one season. In wrestling, he won a state championship during his senior year. He still holds the California state record for the fastest pin in a wrestling match.
College Career at Fresno State
Neal first planned to go to the University of Arizona in 1989. However, he did not meet the academic requirements. He then enrolled at Fresno State University in August 1989. He played football for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team from 1989 to 1992.
During his four years in college, he rushed for a total of 2,405 yards. He was chosen as an All-Big West player in his junior and senior years. He also continued wrestling in college. In 1992, he placed seventh in the NCAA wrestling tournament, earning All-American honors. He graduated from college with a degree in criminal justice.
Professional Football Journey
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints drafted Neal in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He started his NFL career as a halfback. In his first game, he rushed for 89 yards. Just a week later, he got a season-ending ankle injury. After this, his coaches suggested he switch to fullback.
As a fullback, he helped his team in different ways. In 1995, he caught a long 69-yard touchdown pass. In 1996, he had his best season with the Saints, catching 31 passes for 194 yards.
New York Jets
In 1997, Neal joined the New York Jets. In his one season there, he helped running back Adrian Murrell rush for over 1,000 yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Neal was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998. He played one season in Tampa Bay. He helped Warrick Dunn rush for 1,026 yards that year.
Tennessee Titans
In 1999, Neal signed with the Tennessee Titans. He helped Eddie George rush for 1,304 yards in his first season. Neal was also part of the famous "Music City Miracle" play. In this play, he caught a kickoff and handed it to a teammate, who then threw a game-winning pass. Neal and the Titans made it to Super Bowl XXXIV, but they lost the game.
In 2000, Neal helped Eddie George rush for 1,509 yards and 14 touchdowns. Sporting News magazine called Neal the "NFL's Best Blocking Fullback." He was also chosen as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Cincinnati Bengals
After two seasons with the Titans, Neal signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001. In his first year with the Bengals, he helped Corey Dillon rush for 1,315 yards. He was again named a Pro Bowl alternate.
In 2002, Neal helped Dillon rush for 1,311 yards. He also scored a touchdown against his old team, the Tennessee Titans. This season, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl.
San Diego Chargers
Neal joined the San Diego Chargers in 2003. This was his longest time with one team, playing five seasons there. He became the lead blocker for star running back LaDainian Tomlinson. In his first season, he helped Tomlinson rush for 1,645 yards. Tomlinson became the fifth running back Neal had helped gain over 1,000 yards.
In 2004, Neal helped Tomlinson rush for 1,335 yards. He continued to be a key blocker for the Chargers' running game.
The 2005 season was special for Neal. He played in his 200th career game. He was also chosen to start in the 2006 Pro Bowl. He signed a contract extension to stay with the Chargers.
In 2006, Neal helped Tomlinson have an amazing season. He blocked for Tomlinson, who scored four rushing touchdowns in one game. Neal helped Tomlinson pass 1,000 rushing yards for the season. This marked the 10th year in a row that Neal was the lead blocker for a 1,000-yard rusher. He scored his first rushing touchdown since 2003 on a special trick play. He was named to his third Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro player.
In 2007, Neal's streak of 221 straight games played ended due to a broken leg. Despite the injury, he helped Tomlinson pass 1,000 yards again. This made it 11 seasons in a row as a lead blocker for a 1,000-yard rusher. He caught a touchdown pass in Week 2. He was named to his fourth Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro.
Baltimore Ravens
In 2008, Neal signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He played as a backup fullback. He helped the Ravens' running game and protected their rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco. He even started his first game as a Raven.
Oakland Raiders
Neal signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2009. However, he was released due to an injury before the season started. In September 2009, Sporting News Magazine named him to their Team of the Decade for the 2000s.
NFL Statistics
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Carries | Yards | Yards per Carry | Longest Carry | Touchdowns | First Downs | Fumbles | Fumbles Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | NO | 2 | 21 | 175 | 8.3 | 74 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1994 | NO | 16 | 30 | 90 | 3.0 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | NO | 16 | 5 | 3 | 0.6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 | NO | 16 | 21 | 58 | 2.8 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | NYJ | 16 | 10 | 28 | 2.8 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | TB | 16 | 5 | 25 | 5.0 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1999 | TEN | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | TEN | 16 | 1 | -2 | -2.0 | -2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | CIN | 16 | 5 | 10 | 2.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | CIN | 16 | 9 | 31 | 3.4 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | SD | 16 | 18 | 40 | 2.2 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2004 | SD | 16 | 16 | 53 | 3.3 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| 2005 | SD | 16 | 29 | 98 | 3.4 | 9 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SD | 16 | 29 | 140 | 4.8 | 43 | 1 | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | SD | 13 | 13 | 32 | 2.5 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | BAL | 16 | 12 | 25 | 2.1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 239 | 226 | 807 | 3.6 | 74 | 6 | 96 | 6 | 4 |
Personal Life
Lorenzo Neal is married to Denisha. They have a son named Lorenzo Jr. and twin daughters, Nylya and Mia. Lorenzo Jr. also played college football at Purdue. He later signed with the New Orleans Saints, but was released.
Podcast and Radio Career
Lorenzo Neal has hosted podcasts about football. He started the "Ray and Lorenzo" NFL Podcast in 2013. Later, he hosted a Chargers-focused podcast called "Bleav in Chargers."
He also worked in radio as a co-host on the morning show Mornings with Joe, Lo, and Dibs in San Francisco. He is now a guest host at the station.
