BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY
Leon Hall
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No. 29 Cincinnati Bengals
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| Cornerback | |||||||||
Personal information
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| Date of birth: December 9, 1984 | |||||||||
| Place of birth: Vista, California | |||||||||
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Career information
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| High school: Vista (CA) | |||||||||
| College: Michigan | |||||||||
| NFL Draft: 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 18 | |||||||||
| Debuted in 2007 for the Cincinnati Bengals | |||||||||
Career history
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| Roster status: Active | |||||||||
Career highlights and awards
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Career NFL statistics as of Week 8, 2014
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| Stats at pro-football-reference.com | |||||||||
Leon Lastarza Lafayette Lorenzo Hall (born December 9, 1984) is an American football defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Michigan, and earned consensus All-American honors. Hall was chosen by the Bengals in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.[1]
Early years
Leon Hall was born in Oceanside, California. He attended Vista High School where he played wide receiver and defensive back. He also played in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Professional career
2007 NFL Draft
After posting an impressive 40 time of 4.38 seconds at the NFL Combine, Hall was drafted in the first round (18th overall) in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Hall was expected to start alongside Johnathan Joseph, who was drafted by Cincinnati a year before, and veteran corner Deltha O'Neal.
Cincinnati Bengals
On July 29, 2007, Hall was signed by the Bengals to a five-year deal for $13.6 million overall, with $8.2 million guaranteed.[2]During preseason practice in Georgetown, Kentucky, Hall was said to have made a big impact. During Hall's first preseason with the Bengals, Sports Illustrated writer Peter King said that Hall was going to be an immediate-impact rookie in the secondary after watching one of the Bengals' practices.[3]
In the regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, Hall had a breakout performance as starting corner back with four tackles and a fumble recovery. Hall finished the 2007 season as the Bengals' interception leader with five, tying a team record for most interceptions in a rookie season.
In the 2008 season, Hall continued to improve as he tallied 75 tackles (61 solo), 24 pass break-ups, three interceptions and a touchdown. Hall tied the franchise record by nabbing three interceptions one game in week 16 against the Cleveland Browns, returning one for a 50-yard touchdown.[4] At season's end, Hall was praised by the Bengals' defensive back coach Kevin Coyle for his improvement .[5]
In 2009, Hall recorded 71 tackles (58 solo), two forced fumbles, 24 pass break-ups and a career-high six interceptions. Late in the season, writer King called Hall and Joseph "the best cornerback tandem in the NFL."[6]
After the season, USA Today named Hall to its annual "All-Joe" team after he wasn't voted to the NFL Pro Bowl despite his standout play.[7]
In 2010, Hall started all 16 games for the third consecutive year, recording 29 tackles, 11 assists, and four interceptions.[8]
On September 2, 2011, Hall signed a four-year contract extension worth $39 million with $14.1 guaranteed. On November 13, Hall injured his achilles tendon in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the following day he was placed on injured reserve. He ended the season with, in nine games, 29 tackles and two interceptions.
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