Paris Lenon Explained

Paris Lenon
Number:46, 53, 51
Position:Linebacker
Birth Date:November 26, 1977
Birth Place:Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:240
High School:Lynchburg (VA) Heritage
College:Richmond (1996–1999)
Undraftedyear:2000
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Total tackles
Statvalue1:833
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statvalue2:12.0
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statvalue3:10
Statlabel4:Pass deflections
Statvalue4:31
Statlabel5:Interceptions
Statvalue5:5
Statlabel6:Defensive touchdowns
Statvalue6:1
Pfr:LenoPa20

Paris Michael Lenon (born November 26, 1977) is a former American football linebacker. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in the spring of 2000, then chosen by the Memphis Maniax in the XFL Draft in the fall of 2000. He played college football at University of Richmond.

Lenon was a member of the Panthers, the Maniax, then the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, St. Louis Rams, and Arizona Cardinals. Lenon was the last active NFL player to have played in the XFL(2001).

Early life

Lenon attended Heritage High School in Lynchburg, Virginia and won two varsity letters each in football and basketball, and one in baseball. In football, he played free safety and quarterback, and was named the Western District Defensive Player of the Year. Lenon graduated from Heritage High School in 1995.

College career

Lenon attended the University of Richmond and was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter in football. As a redshirt sophomore in 1997, Lenon recorded a career-high 104 tackles. He was selected to the First-team All-Atlantic 10 Conference in 1997. He was named to the second-team All-Atlantic 10 in his senior season in 1998. He finished his college career with 45 games played, 320 tackles, 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles.

Professional career

Carolina Panthers

Lenon was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the 2000 NFL draft, but was released by the team on June 9, 2000.

Memphis Maniax

After spending the 2000 season out of football, Lenon was a member of the Memphis Maniax in the XFL's only season, 2001.

Green Bay Packers

Following the XFL's season, Lenon signed with the Green Bay Packers on April 26, 2001. He was waived by the team on July 24, 2001.

Seattle Seahawks

Lenon was signed by the Seattle Seahawks on August 16, 2001, and was waived by the team on August 27, 2001.

Green Bay Packers (second stint)

Lenon re-joined the Packers on December 27, joining their practice squad for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. After the season, he was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe for the spring 2002 season. In 2002, Lenon played in all 16 games for the Packers, mainly on special teams. He played in all 16 games in 2003 and 2004 for the Packers, starting four games in 2004 at linebacker. Lenon started 12 games in 2005, his final season with the Packers.

Detroit Lions

Lenon signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Lions March 22, 2006. On December 23, 2007, Lenon intercepted a pass by Brodie Croyle and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, in a 25–20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.[1] His 2007 season was his career best. He totaled 116 tackles (86 solo, 30 assisted), 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception. Lenon was also the team leader in tackles in the 2008 season, the third straight year he started all 16 games for the Lions (in spite of the fact the Lions did not win a single game that year).

New England Patriots

Lenon signed with the New England Patriots on May 27, 2009.[2] He was released on September 5, 2009.

St. Louis Rams

Lenon signed with the St. Louis Rams on September 16, 2009. Lenon became the starting weak side linebacker after Will Witherspoon was traded to the Eagles. Lenon tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles.

Arizona Cardinals

Lenon signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 15, 2010.

Denver Broncos

On August 20, 2013, Lenon was signed by the Denver Broncos.[3] During the Broncos' 2013 season he played in 14 regular season and three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVIII.[4]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
GNB16 0 22 17 5 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
GNB16 0 21 15 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GNB16 4 28 20 8 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
GNB16 12 65 37 28 1.5 2 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 0 0
DET16 16 71 51 20 0.0 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 2 10 0
DET16 16 118 88 30 2.0 7 1 61 1 61 3 2 0 0 0
DET16 16 122 81 41 1.5 7 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 0 0
STL15 10 42 35 7 0.0 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0
ARI16 16 125 94 31 2.0 12 2 12 0 10 6 1 0 0 0
ARI16 16 93 64 29 3.0 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0
ARI16 16 104 74 30 2.0 3 1 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 0
DEN14 6 22 16 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
189 128 833 592 241 12.0 41 5 73 1 61 31 10 7 10 0

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
GNB1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GNB2 0 2 2 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GNB1 0 3 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DEN3 3 4 4 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 3 9 9 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions - December 23rd, 2007. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. Web site: Patriots sign former Lions LB Lenon . . 27 May 2009 . May 27, 2009.
  3. Web site: Broncos Sign LB Paris Lenon . Caldwell . Gray . August 20, 2013 . DenverBroncos.com . August 20, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140203174901/http://www.denverbroncos.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Broncos-Sign-LB-Paris-Lenon/a8f8bd9c-97bf-493f-ba41-1144f4a197fd . February 3, 2014 . dead .
  4. http://www.nfl.com/player/parislenon/2503971/gamelogs Lenon 2013 Game Logs, www.nfl.com, retrieved February 12, 2014