Leonardo Carson

Leonardo Tremayne Carson (born February 11, 1977 in Mobile, Alabama) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Auburn University.

Early years

Carson attended Shaw High School in Mobile, Alabama. He played five different positions (linebacker, tight end, fullback, wide receiver and quarterback) and was the starting quarterback in his last 2 years.

He accepted a football scholarship from Auburn University with the intention of playing tight end. In July 1996, he was sentenced to 60 days in jail, for his role in the break-in of a car in March, but was able to be placed on probation and serve only 6 days.

He was converted into a defensive tackle as a freshman, before being moved to defensive end when Shannon Shuttle was lost for the year. He started the last 4 games of the season as a true freshman, while registering 32 tackles and 4.5 sacks. The next year he started 13 games and tallied 59 tackles. As a junior, he posted 90 tackles (8 for loss) and 8.5 sacks. His stats were impacted in his last season when he was moved to defensive tackle, finishing with 43 tackles and 2 sacks.

Professional career

San Diego Chargers

Carson was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. In his second season he started 13 games at defensive tackle, after replacing Jamal Williams who tore the ACL in his left knee.

In 2002, he began the season as a backup, but started the last 6 games after Williams suffered a season-ending ankle injury, posting 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 passes defensed.

On August 21, 2003, he was arrested for breaking into an apartment and was later sued on September 30. He was waived on October 15.

Dallas Cowboys

On October 19, 2003, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys.

Although large and physically talented, his productivity as a player was often average, and head coach Bill Parcells, who initially lauded his arrival to the team, stated in several press conferences that he'd lost confidence in Carson.

Carson was re-signed for the 2004 season, although he served 8 days in jail in June and was suspended for the opening game by the NFL for his previous legal problems and the violation of the player conduct policy. He started 15 games, registering 55 tackles and a half sack.

He signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys for the 2005 season, but was released on September 1, after being passed on the depth chart by rookie Jay Ratliff.

Personal life

Beginning June 14, 2004, Carson began serving a 30-day sentence at the Mobile County Metro Jail on two misdemeanor counts of kidnapping and burglary relating to an August 2003 incident where he broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend's sister, Tasha Locke. He forced her to leave with him, but later that evening, Carson's car broke down, and Locke escaped.

In June 2010, Carson was sentenced to ten years in prison for selling drugs, while living in Mobile, Alabama.