Lenon's 14-year odyssey rewarded with Super Bowl
http://t.foxsports.msn.com/nfl/lenons-14-year-odyssey-rewarded-with-super-bowl
Denver Broncos middle linebacker Paris Lenon owns an odd distinction. He is the only active NFL player to have played in the XFL, the alternative and ill-fated league run by World Wrestling Entertainment CEO/Chairman Vince McMahon, where the rules were as scant as the cheerleaders' outfits and the pre-game coin toss was replaced by two players sprinting to, then wrestling for a ball on the ground to determine possession.
"I do look back on that league, but it's only because people bring it to my attention," said Lenon, who took a short trip home to Arizona to see his wife (Heather), kids (Paris, Amirah and Jalen) and his dog (Millie) this week before the Broncos head east for Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.
"It was so long ago I don't remember much about that league. I kind of exist in the moment; not in the past or the future. I know it kind of annoys my wife because she likes to plan ahead, but I just don't function that way."
Lenon's approach was probably best for his mental health. Given the stops and starts on his 14-year football journey, it would have been easy to get discouraged.
He wasn't drafted out of the University of Richmond but signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent, beginning his pro football odyssey. The Panthers released him at the end of mini-camp and he spent the year out of football working as a substitute teacher and in a post office, sorting mail at night so he could train during the day.
He signed with the XFL's Memphis Maniax for the league's one season of existence.
Following that season, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in April but was waived after just three months. Seattle signed him one month later, then waived him after 11 days.
Lenon re-joined the Packers' practice squad before the team's final 2001 regular season game and one playoff game, but after the season, he was assigned to play for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.
Amsterdam was a greater adjustment than any Lenon has experienced. The fans all had whistles, few really cared about American football and there were plenty of distractions in one the world's most liberal cities.
"I wasn't interested in any of that stuff," Lenon said, chuckling. "I just wanted a chance to keep playing football."
Lenon finally made the Packers' active roster in 2002 and played mainly on special teams. He started four games on defense in 2004 and 12 in 2005 before signing a three-year deal with Detroit, where his career took off.
Over the next seven seasons with Detroit (three years), St. Louis (one) and Arizona (three), Lenon recorded more than 100 combined tackles five times, with a high-water mark of 124 (94 solos) for the Cardinals in 2010.
http://t.foxsports.msn.com/nfl/lenons-14-year-odyssey-rewarded-with-super-bowl
Denver Broncos middle linebacker Paris Lenon owns an odd distinction. He is the only active NFL player to have played in the XFL, the alternative and ill-fated league run by World Wrestling Entertainment CEO/Chairman Vince McMahon, where the rules were as scant as the cheerleaders' outfits and the pre-game coin toss was replaced by two players sprinting to, then wrestling for a ball on the ground to determine possession.
"I do look back on that league, but it's only because people bring it to my attention," said Lenon, who took a short trip home to Arizona to see his wife (Heather), kids (Paris, Amirah and Jalen) and his dog (Millie) this week before the Broncos head east for Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.
"It was so long ago I don't remember much about that league. I kind of exist in the moment; not in the past or the future. I know it kind of annoys my wife because she likes to plan ahead, but I just don't function that way."
Lenon's approach was probably best for his mental health. Given the stops and starts on his 14-year football journey, it would have been easy to get discouraged.
He wasn't drafted out of the University of Richmond but signed with the Carolina Panthers as a rookie free agent, beginning his pro football odyssey. The Panthers released him at the end of mini-camp and he spent the year out of football working as a substitute teacher and in a post office, sorting mail at night so he could train during the day.
He signed with the XFL's Memphis Maniax for the league's one season of existence.
Following that season, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in April but was waived after just three months. Seattle signed him one month later, then waived him after 11 days.
Lenon re-joined the Packers' practice squad before the team's final 2001 regular season game and one playoff game, but after the season, he was assigned to play for the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe.
Amsterdam was a greater adjustment than any Lenon has experienced. The fans all had whistles, few really cared about American football and there were plenty of distractions in one the world's most liberal cities.
"I wasn't interested in any of that stuff," Lenon said, chuckling. "I just wanted a chance to keep playing football."
Lenon finally made the Packers' active roster in 2002 and played mainly on special teams. He started four games on defense in 2004 and 12 in 2005 before signing a three-year deal with Detroit, where his career took off.
Over the next seven seasons with Detroit (three years), St. Louis (one) and Arizona (three), Lenon recorded more than 100 combined tackles five times, with a high-water mark of 124 (94 solos) for the Cardinals in 2010.
