**In this series we do rookie cards and nothing else.**
Like Paul Bunyan, Jim Leonhard's rise to NFL greatness is legendary in Wisconsin. He took the little Flambeau High School and made them state champions. After graduating from high school he didn't receive any college scholarship offers and so he walked onto Wisconsin's football team. He ended up being named All-Big 10 twice and was tied for most interceptions in Badgers history.
Despite that, Jim wasn't picked in the 2005 draft but as you can see from the card, he became the only undrafted rookie to make the Bills team. From the Bills he went to the Ravens and was a key piece of Rex Ryan's outstanding defense. He followed Ryan to the Jets and is their starting safety through the 2009 and 2010 seasons until, unfortunately, he broke his leg during practice in the playoffs and had to have surgery missing the Jets 2nd consecutive run to the AFC Championship game. Hopefully he'll be up and ready by the time football roles around again, correction, if football roles around again.
 |
| 2005 Leaf Rookies and Stars #121 Jim Leonhard #049/999 |
Comments