The What Off-Season? Sports Podcast welcomes former NFL linebacker Levon Kirkland to the show. Levon spent 9 seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning NFL All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors twice. Kirkland was the 1997 NFL Linebacker Of The Year, and also played one season each with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. 

Levon Kirkland played college football at Clemson University from 1987-1991, coming onto the NCAA football scene as an outside linebacker for the Clemson Tigers. In 1989, Kirkland was the Gator Bowl MVP for the Tigers. Over the next two seasons, he would become the only underclassman for the Butkus Award and earn All-American honors from the Clemson Tigers and the NCAA. Levon would leave Clemson University as a two-time ACC champion. 

Levon was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 38th overall in the 2nd round of the 1992 NFL draft. By 1995, he was known as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Levon shared with us one of his craziest moments in his rookie year of the NFL, involving well-respected veteran Greg Lloyd.  Levon Kirkland’s 1996 NFL season was a major one for his career. The aforementioned Greg Lloyd went down with a knee injury to start the year, and none other than Levon was called on to step up to the plate and fill the linebacker void. Kirkland shares what it was like being called on to fill the position for the Pittsburgh Steelers.   

Levon fulfilled an illustrious career in the National Football League, playing his final season in 2002 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Kirkland advanced to the NFC Championship that season, facing off against the vaunted 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you know the history of the NFL, the 2002 Buccaneers are regarded to be potentially the greatest defense ever assembled in football. Levon Kirkland shared what made that Bucs team so vicious on the field, specifically from his legendary defensive perspective.   

Levon Kirkland explains what his defensive game would be like today compared to back in the 90s.

After retiring from the NFL, Levon went back to Clemson in 2004 and obtained his sociology degree. Many people say athletes are set for life once playing a professional sport, but Kirkland shares what drove him to go back and get his education after his legendary NFL career.  

Levon Kirkland describes his transition from being a legendary NFL linebacker to coaching multiple levels of football. From being an outside linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals, to defensive coordinator for college and high school, he shares it all.   

Current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt BALLED out this NFL season, leading in almost every major defensive category, but did not win the 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year. Aaron Donald took home the hardware, despite trailing TJ Watt in almost everything. Former NFL linebacker Levon Kirkland explains who should have won the 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year Award, and why.