This week marked the last day of Shaquille Leonard‘s three-time first-team All-Pro linebacker stint in Indianapolis.
Despite being cut from the team, Shaq Leonard—the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year and three-time first-team All-Pro linebacker—did not allow his sad fate deter him from being a wonderful man. Leonard made the honorable choice to uphold his commitment to the community by supporting other families in spite of losing his job and his ability to support his family.
Only a few hours after being freed, Leonard distributed turkeys across Indianapolis.
Awesome: Despite getting cut by the #Colts earlier today, Shaq Leonard is still handing out free turkeys to Indianapolis families in need 👏❤
(via @RomeovilleKid)
pic.twitter.com/YpUBs0J5HOhttps://t.co/4gCBvHjPty— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 21, 2023
In the wake of the trade, Jim Irsay, the owner of the Colts, also used social media to reflect on Leonard’s time there and to acknowledge that the NFL is a “tough business.”
“Colts Nation will always remember The Maniac’s palpable energy on the field with each tackle, interception, punchout, and fumble recovery,” Irsay said in a statement. “Off the field, he’s a servant leader and assisted numerous families in both his hometown and the Indianapolis community. We’re thankful for Shaq and the contributions he made to our organization. We wish him and his beautiful family the best moving forward.”
In 2018, Leonard made his way to Indianapolis as a second-round draft selection from South Carolina State. He led the league in tackles and made an immediate impact for the Colts, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He was selected to the Pro Bowl four times during his stint and was a first-team All-Pro three times. He has struggled with injuries in recent seasons; in 2022, he was only able to play in three games because of back surgery that was done in the offseason.