Vonta Leach
Encyclopedia
Terzell Vonta Leach is an American football
fullback
for the Baltimore Ravens
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers
as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football
for East Carolina
.
He has also played for the New Orleans Saints
, Houston Texans
and the Baltimore Ravens
.
. Leach earned his degree in 2010 after completing his online classes.
, and compiled 5 receptions for 19 yards. He was released by the Packers on September 13, 2006. The New Orleans Saints
claimed him off waivers the next day but he was eventually released. The Houston Texans signed Leach on October 9, 2006.
On March 19, 2007, Leach signed a four-year, $8 million dollar restricted free agent
offer sheet with the New York Giants
. However, the Texans matched the Giants' offer and Leach returned to Houston. Leach scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on December 13, 2007 in a 31-13 win over the Detroit Lions
. After helping pave the way for teammate Arian Foster
's breakout 2010 campaign, Leach was voted into the 2011 Pro Bowl
, his first Pro Bowl selection. On January 24, 2011, Leach was also selected to the Associated Press
's NFL All-Pro Team.
Leach signed a three-year, $11 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens
on July 31, 2011, making him the highest paid fullback in the NFL.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for East Carolina
East Carolina Pirates football
The East Carolina Pirates is a college football team that represents East Carolina University . The team is currently a member of the Conference USA, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association .The Pirates have won seven conference championships and...
.
He has also played for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, Houston Texans
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
Early years
He attended East Carolina UniversityEast Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
. Leach earned his degree in 2010 after completing his online classes.
Professional career
Leach spent the first three years of his career with the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, and compiled 5 receptions for 19 yards. He was released by the Packers on September 13, 2006. The New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
claimed him off waivers the next day but he was eventually released. The Houston Texans signed Leach on October 9, 2006.
On March 19, 2007, Leach signed a four-year, $8 million dollar restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
offer sheet with the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. However, the Texans matched the Giants' offer and Leach returned to Houston. Leach scored the first touchdown of his NFL career on December 13, 2007 in a 31-13 win over the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. After helping pave the way for teammate Arian Foster
Arian Foster
Arian Foster , is an American football running back for the Houston Texans. He was signed by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and was added to their active roster from the practice squad on November 17, 2009. He played college football at Tennessee...
's breakout 2010 campaign, Leach was voted into the 2011 Pro Bowl
2011 Pro Bowl
The 2011 AFC–NFC Pro Bowl was the NFL's all-star game for the 2010 season. It took place at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii...
, his first Pro Bowl selection. On January 24, 2011, Leach was also selected to the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
's NFL All-Pro Team.
Leach signed a three-year, $11 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
on July 31, 2011, making him the highest paid fullback in the NFL.