As the old saying goes, all good things come to an end. It's especially true in the NFL, a cutthroat industry where teams are in the business of winning football games at any cost. So long as that cost fits in with a team's plans of course. In the NFL, rarely will you see the release of such a beloved player like Leon Washington handled with such grace. An old friend of mine used to tell me, "Dave, you can't teach grace. You're born with it." Well then, my buddy would agree that Leon Washington, Pete Carroll, and John Schneider were born with grace to spare.
When Leon Washington arrived in Seattle through a Draft Day trade in John Schneider and Pete Carroll's first draft in 2010, it was obvious that Seattle saw something special in Leon. Despite leading the NFL in all-purpose yards in 2008 with 1,606, Washington missed the entire 2009 season after a horrific knee injury. One of the worst knee injuries the game has seen in recent years. Some thought he'd never be the same. Not Seattle. Considering what they've done with 5th round picks (Sherman, Chancellor), it might have been considered a steep price to pay for a man who's career in football was in doubt at one time in the not so distant past. Turns out it was one hell of a bargain.
I was always a fan of LEON! Me and a friend used to follow the draft and college football religiously, and at the time my friend was an FSU fan so I knew all about Leon. It was the 2006 draft and there was another running back with speed, elusiveness, vision, and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield that was getting all the attention. Reggie Bush out of USC was the media's chosen one. Meanwhile, the man from Jacksonville was hardly getting any fanfare because his Florida State Seminoles weren't quite what they used to be. Washington was also part of a crowded backfield at FSU, so he never quite put up the numbers that people expected him to upon his arrival to Tallahassee. While Bush was dominating games in the national spotlight, Washington was struggling to crack 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. Amazingly, he never accomplished this feat. Bush would end up going 2nd in the draft to New Orleans, while the Jets took a chance on Washington in the 4th round. Their pro careers couldn't have turned out any more different.
While Bush struggled initially with finding his footing in the NFL before finally showing signs of life, Washington has exceeded expectations everywhere he's gone en route to having a share of the lead for most kickoff return touchdowns in NFL history with 8, as well as his all-purpose yardage title in '08. Many forget that before his injury, Washington was a real threat at running back for the Jets. A do-it-all type back, Leon was an impact player who could take it to the house on any given play. It's only fitting that the man who replaces him on kickoffs is one in the same. While Washington is no longer the blazer that he used to be, and Harvin's speed is rare, few have been blessed with the vision that Leon Washington has. He could be patient and wait for his blocks to develop or he could look like he was shot out of a cannon the second the ball touched his hands, this unpredictability helped make Leon not only the greatest kick returner in Seahawks history, but one of the greatest kick returners to ever play the game.
What's even more impressive, and what makes Leon a beloved figure everywhere he goes (Jets fans still love Leon to this day), is Leon Washington the man. His work ethic, visible by his unlikely return from his devastating knee injury, and his warrior approach to the game are what makes him an instant hit wherever he goes. Wherever he goes next (I'm guessing he returns home to Jacksonville with Gus Bradley, but he's currently visiting the Patriots.) he's sure to be an instant sensation. I give it til the 1st preseason game when he scratches and claws his way for every possible yard on a seemingly inconspicuous kickoff. You can't help but love this guy and the energy he brings to the team. Not only is he loved by the fans but his fellow teammates love him as well. Earl Thomas certainly wasn't too pleased upon hearing about Leon's release.
Which actually brings us to the only positive from this move. Shortly after placing Leon Washington on the trading block, news broke that the Tampa Bay Bucs actually came to the table with a trade offer for Leon. Specifics of the proposed deal are unknown, but rather than trade the veteran return man, John Schneider and Pete Carroll decided to do right by Leon and release him. Thus allowing him to choose where he wants to play next. A rare bit of humanity in an otherwise bleak process. Also, it's possible that Leon could get a new signing bonus with his next contract. A classy move on the part of the Seahawks, and one that Washington definitely appreciated.
As always, Leon handles the situation with grace. You could tell during the Percy Harvin press conference that it hurt John Schneider to have to cut Leon but to Leon's credit he understood that it was the move that had to be made. He's a smart guy. This was one of those great relationships that just has to come to an end for both sides to better themselves for the future. Leon is a baller, he's got that John Abraham trait in him and I could see him returning kicks a lot longer. Crazy that the Jets actually used to produce some tough, durable bastards. Curtis Martin and Wayne Chrebet come to mind as well, Richie Anderson too. This isn't the end for Leon and at the same time, he wants to be out there returning kicks. With JS/PC trying to maximize Harvin's talent and have him return kicks (I think Tate will get to return some kicks/punts too), there was just no way he was going to get any burn. Towards the end of the season they had him in there at the end of the 1st half in the two minute drill. Against Arizona he had a pretty nice day (who didn't), and showed that he could still run the ball as a backup, just in a different type of offense. Now he's free to pick where he wants to go next. Let's just hope it's the AFC and definitely not Tampa Bay! Nah, Leon wouldn't do us dirty like that, he's not that kind of guy!
Earlier this year while I was working, I had a WSU/Oregon game on the TV at work and was visibly cheering for the Cougs. Ya damn straight I was! The game was being played at the CLink so the camera crews kept showing the usual gauntlet of Seattle landmarks whenever the city is rarely featured in a nationally televised sporting event. Pike Place Market, The original Starbucks, Safeco, you know the drill. One of the people sitting at the bar asks me if I'm from Seattle. I reply no but tell him that I went to school out in Washington and that I consider Seattle a home away from home. Turns out his job is relocating him to Redmond, Washington and he's a bit nervous about the whole length. While I'm talking to him about Seattle, his wife mentions that they have a friend that plays football in Seattle. My eyes lit up like the leg lamp from 'A Christmas Story'. I mentioned that I was a diehard Seahawks fan and was wondering who the player was. When the lady told me the guy's name was Leon I immediately screamed "LEON!" like if it were gameday and he was about to take one to the house! She told me that Leon's one of the kindest, most genuine people she's ever known and that he's an inspiration to anyone who knows him. I thought I was pretty lucky with this chance encounter alone, but it got better. She sent him a text telling him that she just met a big fan of him and the Hawks and it turns out he ended up asking for my Twitter handle and giving me a shoutout on Twitter. Might not seem like a whole lot, but just taking the time out of his day to do that was pretty special.
That's just one of the positive words you can use to describe Leon Washington. John Schneider hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing Leon back into the fold later on in free agency, but with Washington's talents he's likely to find a job elsewhere. Goodbye for now Leon and good luck with anything you do. You've been there from the beginning with the revamped Seahawks starting back in 2010. You've been a part of the ride and you've made it an excellent one. You will be greatly missed but you will NEVER be forgotten by the 12th Man.
No comments:
Post a Comment