Levon Kirkland || The Monster in the Middle
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- čas přidán 25. 04. 2020
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Kirkland played at an all pro level for years in Pittsburgh. He put up numbers alongside threats like Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene and came close to an iconic play in Steeler history
#PittsburghSteelers #LevonKirkland #Classic - Sport
I was made aware that Levon’s contract was not for $6 million in total but for $6 million per year! This made him the highest paid linebacker in the NFL. Truly an incredible accomplishment!
You are correct, but as soon as Kirkland signed is then league leading contract for a ILB he adopted the dreaded “coast attitude”. Beginning the following training camp, Kirkland routinely showed up grossly overweight. Kirkland’s reported playing weight was 265 lbs. Once he signed his first contract extension he would show up to training camp at 285+ lbs. Kirkland never worked out in the offseason. His expanded girth was aided by the fact that he bought a pizza and wings joint and he would routinely eat two dozen wings at a time at least four times a week.
Kirkland’s showing up to camp grossly out of shape every year after signing his contract infuriated Bill Cowher. It got to the point that Cowher sent the team’s physical trainer down to Kirkland’s South Carolina home in the offseason to get Levon off of his lazy butt and work out. Levon finished out his Steelers career weighing around 275 lbs. That is the same playing weight that DT, Mean Joe Green played at. Most Steelers don’t know that the reason why Levon Kirkland was not offered a second contract extension was because he ate himself off of the team. He ended up signing with the Eagles, but his girth made him a part time player. Levon didn’t last more than a year. He was cut by the Eagles and out of the NFL.
@@TheBlaster54 and what was it that You did again🤔
The boogeyman checks under his bed to make sure Levon Kirkland isn't waiting for him under there!
I saw every game Levon played as a Steeler. He never missed a tackle. Ever.
He was a beast in the middle! Curse you O'Donnell!!!
O'Donnell makes me wish the Steelers had drafted Marino.
Kirkland, Greene, Brown, Lloyd, Gildon, and Steed. Those 1990’s guys all had numbers in the 90s. I always thought that was so badass
the more times i watch that SB the more i get the feeling that neil odonnell threw that game because he was a degenerate gambler....obviously i have no proof besides him throwing direct beachballs to 24
Levon Kirkland was a Beast of a middle linebacker.
Sure was
I completely agree the he's been vastly underrated.
Long live Captain Kirk...
A very underrated linebacker, great player, very fast in spite his weight.
Kinda like Larry Allen or whatever his name was
@ RE Galvez, He was not underrated while playing under his rookie contract. Levon is almost never mentioned when discussing the greatest Steeler’s ILB’s because once he signed his then league leading contract for an ILB he adopted the dreaded, “I got paid and now I can coast attitude.” Levon Kirkland ate himself out of a second contract extension and off of the team.
Lamar Woodley adopted the same cost attitude after he signed his league leading contract extension.
I'm so happy I finally get to see a tribute to Levon Kirkland
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoyed it!
He and Greg Lloyd were my 2 favorite Stillers from the 90s. He was always deceptively good in coverage. I'm sure other teams thought, no way a guy that size can cover.
The steelers had a beast of a LB core for a few years with Levon Kirkland, Chad Brown, Gregg Llyod, and Kevin Greene and they had a nice secondary as well with Rod Woodson, Carnell Lake, Darren Perry, and Deon Figures.
I still have a Levon Kirkland poster on my man cave wall. Levon is one of my favorite Steelers ILBs of all time. For me, the most memorable tackle I saw him make was during a game against the young Jaguars team. The Jaguars starting running back was Natron Means, a powerful back. The play I am referring to was a goal line play. The Steelers had their backs against their goal line. It was third down and goal to go for the Jags. The camera view was a close up from behind Levon and the Steelers defensive line. As the play unfolds the Jags QB hands the ball off to Natron Means and the camera view shows a gaping hole to center, Dermonti Dawsons left. Steelers fans are left think, “Oh no! He is going to score!” As Means gets closer to the hole in view comes Levon Kirkland. When Means ran into Kirkland, Levon dropped him for no gain. The slow mo replay of Levon hitting Means showed the ripple or shock wave affect down Means body caused by the collision. Levon hit Means so hard that Means knees buckled and the resulting shock wave traveled from his head down to his feet. Natron Means was regarded as being a bruising power back. He was never the same after that hit he received from Levon.
I remember that shit like I remember my first handy!! Same thing with Eddie George @ 00:57 he prolly hadnt felt like in years and Levon didnt even get him square...Natrone knows what we Means when we say Kirk layed that wood.
I think you’re mistaken. Means played for the Chargers. It was the AFC championship game that year.
Dermonti Dawson only played for the Steelers.
I’ve been looking for a clip of this hit.
czcams.com/video/ShxmB0G2VU0/video.html. Starts around 2 minutes. The clip doesn’t do it justice the way I remembered it. I totally forgot means played for the jags so maybe I missed that one.
I still Love you Levon Kirkland, one of my favorite players for the Steelers Ever.
One of the many best Steelers !
That steelers defense of the 90's gave birth to how the steelers defense would become today in terms of the 3-4 scheme. Kirkland was a beast in the middle guys like eddie george was held in check by him when they were in our division. These videos just brings back so many great memories.
Bill Arnsparger's defenses too.
And Eddie always fell forward.
I am watching this in a black Levin Kirkland Jersey that I have had since HS 1994-98(Apollo Ridge, PA) I'm 41 now. It has holes galore in it and is faded and cracked as shit but I will never ever throw it away. He was my favorite player as a youngster and probably my favorite Steeler ever. He was like Bettis but he was the Double Decker Bus & he was on defense. It was amazing to see him play every week and luckily a few times live.
He was fun to watch, especially the way he could easily run down the field with receivers.
He truly was a unique and freakish Talent at middle linebacker that I don't think we've seen since
Underrated player if you ask me this man had 100 tackles almost every single season of his career
Absolutely Levon Kirkland was a freakishly talented linebacker he waved is much at some linemen but he was wreaking havoc all over the place as a middle linebacker you don't see that everyday in the NFL or in college for that matter he was a big part of that defense to Steelers had in the 90s
Neil O'Donnell, the best Cowboy's QB in that Super Bowl.
People wake up game was fix . Neil O'Donnell deliberately thrown inside pass get pick off . Story is players were suspicious about that act. Today O'Donnell won't comment on picks. All fix Vegas $$$$
@sabgab O'Donnell's favorite receiver was...Larry f**kin' Brown!!
Kirkland was and is still one of my favorite Steelers! He was as described a mountain of a man who for his size could move and make plays weather against the run or the pass! I remember vividly an INT he recorded against the Bills on a nationally televised game that that INT was insane as he covered a TE or WR in doing do. Kirkland is and will always be part of a rich history of STEELERS LB's! Levon, where ever you are, you are the man my brother! God bless you sir and as always, PS4L and "Once a STEELER, Always a STEELER!!!!
Kirkland was a beast especially against the run. He doesn’t get enough credit or love for what he did.
Native of my home state South Carolina. SC stand up. Levon was a unique lb for his size. No one before him or since him has excelled at middle linebacker with a build similar to his. This dude was just as fast and agile as he was big. Playing closer to 270 pounds plus at linebacker was ridiculous. He had plenty of interventions as well. A true blitzburgh of the 90's Steeler legend ❤
He was a monster! 300 pounds and running down running backs from behind. I want 5 more just like him
One of my favorite linebackers!!!
Levon was built different. No one who was that big could move so fast.
Thank you...
My family moved from Pittsburgh to Israel... In August 1996 (I was 10.5...), so Superbowl XXX was the last live Steeler game I watch live for a few years!!! So I had that interception in my memory... 😤😡
Oh yeah, #99 Power was a heck of a LB. I miss watching him destroy oppenents. Nice tribute.👍
I remember my brother was friends with his daughter, and one day Levon Kirkland took both of them to the movies. It was the first time I had meet him, and shit you not, he had to turn to the side to get through out door. The dude was massive.
That is absolutely awesome! Dude was (probably still is) a unit!
@@ItzYinzburgh it’s been a couple years, but 8 years ago, he was a monster.
I loved watching Kirkland play!
Dude needs to be in the next madden as a legend
I say this cuz In madden 20 the Steelers deadass have 1 good DT like wtf
Got this man on my team rn
He was always one of my favorite players
Man was a monster! He’s probably the most underrated Steeler ever. I’m glad that Madden finally gave him some credit…
Levon was so underrated but it really seemed like he showed up in every game!
He was a bad man... Blow right through the line what a stud 🇺🇸💪👏
We need him now!!!
Thank you Neil for not giving a ring to that excellent LB’s Corp
90s steelers at one time had LLyod,greene,kirkland,brown,gildon and earl holmes. grew up loving those 90s steelers even the offence.
Everyone has to do there part to have a chance to win the Super Bowl! It starts with the draft. The Steelers front office has to be recognized.
Still rock that 99 jersey today!
Me too!! Dont you hate when youngsters say "Keisel?".....I just smh
One of my favorite Steelers LBs ever! He was so much fun to watch!
I would not want to get tackled by Levon Kirkland today! Thankfully he is a nice person off the field I got to meet him not to long ago. It was a definite highlight for me!
It’s great going back and seeing an old family friend, we haven’t talked to him in around 5 years but in his house he had all of his Stealers stuff hung up in front of the front door.
I've said it once and I'll say it again. One if the most underrated linebackers that ever played
This is an awesome idea Yinzburgh! It'll help younger Steelers fans, like me, who were born during the playing days of guys like Levon or Greg Lloyd & didn't get to see them play, learn about their significance to the organization. Awesome awesome awesome! 🖤🏈💛
Levon Kirkland is one of my favorite Steelers of all time. I was lucky enough to get to talk to him and I talked to him about a Monday night game against Buffalo that I attended and how well he played in that game. He said that it was his favorite game of his career. Also, according to Ernie Mills, who was a wide receiver for the Steelers at that time, those interceptions were on the WRs and not the QB.
Sooo miss this guy
That guy was a beast
Claro es un clásico 👍👍👍👍
The 90’s Was Littered With AllPro/Pro Bowl LB’s For The Steelers! Greg Little, Hardy Nickerson, Levon Kirkland, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Joey Porter, Chad Brown And Jason Gildon! Even Had Drafted Mike Vrabel Who We Had To Let Go To The Patriots Due To Are Depth ! Just Like We Let Chad Brown Leave To The Seahawks Because Of Too Much Talent At The LBer Level ! We Had Player Like Joey Porter And Chad Brown Who Was AllPro Talent OLBers That We Played At ILBer Because Of Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene And Jason Gildon Locking Down All The Snaps At OLB! Porter And Brown Played Very High Levels At ILB ! Then In The 2000’s We Added James Farrior, Larry Foote, Lamar Woodley, James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons, Ryan Shazier, TJ Watt And Also Bud Dupree ! From The Mid 90’s To 2020 The Steelers Had Sent 14 Different LBers To The Pro Bowl ! The Steelers Have A LB History Like No Other !
Kirkland in Superbowl XXX is the reason I switched from a Raiders fan, to a Steelers fan as a kid. if the Steelers had won, he probably would've gotten MVP.
I remember how pumped up I was when Kirkland sacked Aikman in the super bowl. Til this day I can't believe he only made 1 pro bowl. Im going to say this right now. Kirkland should be in the H.O.F. I know he wont, but he was that good.
I wish I could’ve watched this defense and the original steel curtain of the 70’s. I’m just glad I got to witness “snacks” Hampton, Harrison, Smith, Farrior, and Woodley. They are the reason I’m a Steelers fan 💪🏼
He was definitely an awesome athletic big man cant remember the game it was a deep pass 45 to 50 yards down field and Kirkland was in defense to prevent the competition from that moment on he was the man in book
I remembered those hit on Emmit Smith 👋👀😖😵 amazing linebacker.
"Levon Kirkland hit him hard enough to knock him into Jerk Land !!!" - Something that I always wanted Myron Cope to say.
Wow! I’ll admit I forgot all about him but damn I remember watching him play on Sundays dude was a beast. Love your videos
Thank you so so much! It’s very much appreciated!
Kirkland was like having Godzilla in the middle of the field.
Great video as always
Thank you for watching!
Dude this is my new favorite channel on CZcams. Found the farrior vid yesterday and I’m in love can’t stop watching
Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoy the content
Itz Yinzburgh no problem keep it up. You should do a vid about Chris fuamatu-ma’afala in the future 👍
Thanks for this video. Brings back memories. I admit I became a Steeler fan in 92. The LBs at that time were studs! But Kirkland stood out! The only reason the Broncos won that AFC Championship Game in 97 was because they took him out!
I have fond memories of Mr. Kirkland and the Steelers of the 1990’s!
My All-Time Steelers Inside Linebackers:
1. Jack Lambert
2. James Farrior
3. Levon Kirkland
4. Mike Merriweather
☮️🖖🏽
Lloyd - Brown - Kirkland - Greene. They were the best set of linebackers the Steelers have had since I've been watching them since 1984.
Excellent work!
Thank you so much!
One of my all time favorite Steelers, right up there 👆 with Fu, the Bus, Lake, Ward, Plax, Lloyd, Dirt Dawson, Thigpen, Stallworth, and Woodruff.
Loved BIG LEVON 99
Kirkland was a bad ass..very fast for his size..unbelievable player...!!!!
I’m friends with Kirkland on FB and sent him this video via messenger, he said “thank you” and then posted it today. Although he didn’t like being called “monster” lol but by him showing it I think he enjoyed what you did
Man I remember all those years with that defense putting up with the if you only had a QB crap from my friends lol. So painful but the defense was awesome
Monster...Good Commentary
We're ignoring the int highlight where Kirkland was slammed? Loved the guy
Kirkland was a monster. The Steelers had quite a run on great linebackers both inside and out. David Little, Bryan Hinkle,Hardy Nickerson,Chad Brown,Levon Kirkland. Even back up Jerry Olsavlsky was a playmaker. On into the Earl Holmes, James Farrior, and a few im forgetting right now like Timmons. Give some love to those OLB’s too, Mike Merriweather, Greg Lloyd, Kevin Greene, Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, James Harrison. Leaving out a few but this is a scary time for opposing teams
Was that Rodney Thomas with that tackle after Levon's interception? Guy has some strength, may he RIP.
He was the fastest big guy I EVER SEEN!! He was a beast!! He is proof a big man can be fast!
Really wish he stuck around long enough for the 2005 Superbowl victory
That goes for Woodson and Lloyd as well. Those mid 90's Steelers D-men deserved a ring !
Levon Kirkland, Greg Lloyd, Kendrell Bell, Joey Porter And Ryan Shazier Is My Favorite LBers That I Seen Play For The Steelers!
Kendrell Bell had a great rookie campaign, as did Chad Brown, Levon Kirkland and Lamar Woodley. The snake wrangler, Brown ended up signing with Seattle and was never the same player for them. Bell, Kirkland and Woodley had the same thing in common. They all despised working out in the offseason. Bell and Woodley did work out they would only work out their upper bodies and both suffered constant leg injuries, especially hamstring pulls. Levon loved eating more than he did playing football. Once he signed his fat contract extension he got just as fat. His rookie playing weight was between 260-265 lbs. After signing his contract extension Levon’s playing weight was between 275-280 lbs. At that weight Levon could no longer cover TE’s over the middle and then became a two down linebacker. Levon literally ate himself off of the Steelers roster.
Really love Kirkland....
Favorite play of his. Interception thirty yards down field.
I will never forget this guy because he is the biggest lb I've ever seen.
Captain Kirk, Fa'sho!!! Big , stong , fast 1 of the best inside linebacker in the nfl .
I think it was on a Monday night I remember he had a Troy type pick, leaping in the air full extension using his fingertips. I recall Al Michaels was amazed a man that big could cover and move like that. Great video!
Thank you so much!
He should be in the hall of Fame
First
Edit: Darn Neil O'Donnell,
Zachary 1707 you thought
@@TheGraphicsPolice Darn potato internet making it look like I was first.
Zachary 1707 lol 😂😂
he was a great player and truly one of the best of all time. Imagine a defensive front of Arron Smith, Joel Stead, Kimo von Olhoffen, followed by James Harrison, Levon Kirkland, Greg lloyd, and Kevin Green. The secondary could relax the play would be over before the recievers could get to them.
You said it, "the monster in the middle" Man was he huge but was athletic for his size
If the 90s Steelers would have had a franchise QB they would have been one of the better teams in history
He's in Madden 2004. I never drafted him or played with him (I thought he was too slow), but this video makes me want to try putting him on the team.
that gatt damned Neil O'Donnell
Another great video!!! You should do where are they now video on different players! I always get curious where are they doing now lol
Kirkland, Lloyd, Greene. No one wanted to face Blitzburgh in the earlu '90's.
I still remember levon Kirkland when he was playing for the Steelers
He formed a terrifying duo with Lloyd
In 1999 I was in Summit Accademy placement. Kirkland's cousin was staff there. The guy was just as big.
Nothing like a 300lbs linbacker..lol. for his size people dont realize how fast he was..
I agree, his pass coverage skills and speed were hard to believe of a man his size.
I want all of you to think back in Levon Kirklands career and see if he play his career injury free. He played his career injury free. and yes he was a total beast.
Bro how are you damn near 300 covering the middle that’s crazy
He was my first favorite Steeler. Speaking of great Steeler ILB's would you consider doing one of these for Farrior?
Hmmmm I think I’ll make a Farrior this week!
Intimidating just to watch him destroy running backs I hope he makes the Hall of Fame one day.
Deserves. A. Ring.
Great video
Thank you! 🙏🏼