Shaquille Leonard is headed off into the sunset.
The former Indianapolis Colts linebacker is retiring from the NFL. He is only 30 years old.
He is now only retiring, but doing so as a member of the Colts during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium, the team announced Wednesday.
Aside from that, Leonard will also strike the Colts’ Anvil during pregame festivities.
Former #Colts All-Pro LB Shaquille Leonard is retiring from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/GfNyZLGfnZ
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 1, 2025
Shaquille Leonard, the dynamic linebacker drafted by Indianapolis in 2018, was nicknamed “The Maniac” during his time with the Colts. The second-round pick out of South Carolina State in the 2018 NFL Draft made waves almost immediately with the franchise.
Shaquille Leonard Previously Changed His Name
Leonard was a three-time first-team AP All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler during six standout seasons with the Colts.
One of his most notable moments came off the field when he suddenly decided to change his name.
Previously known as Darius Leonard, he decided to go with Shaquille because that’s the name most people in his life call him.
“I went by Shaquille my whole life, and I understand that it’ll be a hard change to be called Shaquille after being called Darius for 4 years. It’s not a huge deal, and it wouldn’t be any hard feelings if you called me Darius. Shaquille is my middle name that I’ve went by since 95,” Leonard tweeted in 2022.
He was fresh off a season in which he racked up 122 total tackles, four interceptions, and eight forced fumbles in 16 games. Back surgery after the 2021 season completely changed his career.
He had 637 tackles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries over his entire career.
