This article is about the American football player. For the Eastern Texas district judge, see
Leonard Davis (judge).
Leonard Barnett Davis (born September 5, 1978) is an American football guard for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Texas, and was recognized as an All-American. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round (second pick overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft, and has played professionally for the Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions.
[edit] Early years
Davis was born in Wortham, Texas. He is the only child of L.A. and Sammie Lee Davis, but has 21 half-brothers and half-sisters (L.A. had 11 children from a previous marriage, while Sammie Lee had 10 children from a previous marriage). He attended Wortham High School, where he led his Wortham Bulldogs basketball team to the state championship in 1997.
[edit] College career
Davis accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he played for the Texas Longhorns football team from 1997 to 2000. As a senior in 2000, he was a consensus first-team all-American, and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
[edit] Professional career
Davis was selected 2nd overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, and played guard his first three years in the NFL. In 2004, he was moved from guard to left tackle, where he played in 15 games. In 2005, he played in 15 games as well.
On February 17, 2007 the Arizona Cardinals told Leonard Davis that they would not name him a franchise or transition player, clearing the offensive tackle to become an unrestricted free agent. On March 4, 2007 he signed with the Dallas Cowboys for a seven year $49.6 million contract. $18.75 million of his contract is guaranteed.[1] With the move to Dallas, Davis has also moved back to the guard position. He had an exceptional year in 2007, as he made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. He also made the All-Pro second team along with ex-teammate Flozell Adams. Since 2005, Davis is the 5th most penalized player in the NFL with 42. His former teammate Alex Barron is the most penalized player since 2005 with 78 penalties called against him.
According to Forbes, Davis was the highest paid NFL player and 19th overall athlete in the 12 month period ending June 2007, earning $25.4 million.[2]
He was released by the Cowboys on July 28, 2011, due to declining play and the Cowboys' lack of salary cap room.
On November 2011, Davis signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.[3][4]
Davis is the bassist in the heavy metal band Free Reign with former Cowboys' teammates Marc Colombo and Cory Procter with guitarist Justin Chapman.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
|
|
| Offense |
|
|
| Defense |
|
|
| Special teams |
|
|
|
|
|
| Offense |
|
|
| Defense |
|
|
| Special Teams |
|
|
| Persondata |
| Name |
Davis, Leonard |
| Alternative names |
Davis, Leonard Barnett; Davis, Leonard B. |
| Short description |
All-American college football player, professional football player, offensive lineman |
| Date of birth |
September 5, 1978 |
| Place of birth |
Wortham, Texas, United States |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
