Lorenzo Neal

Lorenzo LaVonne Neal (born December 27, 1970) is an American former football fullback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for sixteen seasons.

Neal originally signed with Arizona in February 1989, but didn't qualify academically and was denied admission.

He then enrolled at Fresno State University that August, where he played for the Fresno State Bulldogs football team from 1989 to 1992.

During his four college seasons, he rushed for 2,405 yards.

He was an All-Big West selection his junior and senior seasons.

In 1991, he ran for 837 yards and 8 touchdowns.

He also wrestled and placed seventh, earning All-American honors at the 1992 NCAA wrestling tournament in the 275 lb. heavyweight class.

Neal finished his career as the school’s second-leading rusher with 2,405 yards and played in the Japan Bowl All-Star Game.

He defeated a sumo wrestler in an exhibition match in Japan during the Japan Bowl.

He graduated with a degree in criminal justice.

In 1992, he ran for 988 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Neal played college football for the Fresno State Bulldogs and was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1993 NFL Draft.

A four-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro, he was also a member of the New York Jets, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tennessee Titans, the Cincinnati Bengals, the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders.

Neal was selected in the fourth round (89th overall) of the 1993 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.

Neal, as a halfback made his NFL debut on September 5, against the Houston Oilers and led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 89 yards, it was his first of two starts as a rookie.

Just seven days later, he suffered a season-ending ankle injury during a road game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Then on September 15, he was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season.

He was later told he would not be able to run as he had before, so his coaches proposed the idea that he be switched to fullback.

Then in 1994, he set career high with 30 carries for 90 yards and one touchdown.

In 1995, he caught a career-long 69-yard touchdown pass during a road game against the New England Patriots on December 3.

In 1996, he set career highs with 31 receptions for 194 receiving yards in his last season with the Saints.

Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, Neal blocked for a 1,000-plus-yard running back in eleven straight seasons from 1997 to 2007.

Neal attended Lemoore High School in Lemoore, California and was a letterman in football and wrestling.

He set many rushing records for the Tigers football team with over 2,000 yards in rushing in a season, which would later be broken by Nick Sula.

In wrestling, he won a state championship as a senior.

Neal still owns the California state record for fastest pin in a match.

In 1997, Neal signed with the New York Jets, on March 31.

In his one season with the team, he helped running back Adrian Murrell rush for 1,086 yards.

On March 12, 1998, Neal was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fifth-round pick.

In his season in Tampa Bay, he helped Warrick Dunn rush for 1,026 yards.

He was then released by the Buccaneers on February 11, 1999.

On March 23, 1999, Neal signed with the Tennessee Titans.

During his first season with the team, he helped Eddie George rush for 1,304 yards in the regular season, and two 100-yard games in the playoffs.

Neal fielded the kick of the "Music City Miracle" against the Buffalo Bills, where he handed it off to Frank Wycheck, who would throw the game winning lateral to Kevin Dyson.

Neal and the Titans would appear in Super Bowl XXXIV against the St. Louis Rams, losing 23-16.

He was also selected to USA Today’s All-Joe team.

In 2000, Neal helped George rush for 1,509 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Neal was named the "NFL's Best Blocking Fullback" by the Sporting News.

He was also named to Sports Illustrated's midseason All-Pro team.

He was also named a Pro Bowl third-alternate.