Lorenzo Styles

Lorenzo Styles (born January 31, 1974 in Sharon, Pennsylvania) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for six seasons for the Atlanta Falcons and St. Louis Rams, and spent half a season as the Head Coach of the Marion Blue Racers.

Early life

As a prep star at Farrell High School in Farrell, Pennsylvania from 1990 and 1991, he was inducted into the Mercer County Hall of Fame. He also attended Independence High School in Columbus, Ohio

College career

Heavely recruited by Ohio State University in which he received a full ride and played for Coach John Cooper for 3 seasons before he decided to take his talents to the NFL early.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

He was drafted in the 3rd round by the Atlanta Falcons in the 3rd round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He ended up playing for 2 seasons as linebacker and on special teams.

St. Louis Rams

Traded in 1996 he went on to play for the St. Louis Rams, he went on to play for 4 seasons as a linebacker and special teams player. He helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV.

Post football

Lorenzo retired in the beginning of the 2000 season after a 6-year professional career. Since, he has seen success working with real estate moguls and investment tycoons. President of his own Corporation, he directs one of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania's largest construction and renovation entities for schools, housing, rec-ceners, and retirement communities. Lorenzo also serves on many local, city and county Government Board of Directors in the city of Columbus, Ohio where he helps set and oversee building laws and guidelines. Lorenzo spends his free time coaching a Pee-wee football team, and running a sports and humanity development campaign with an enrollment of over 1,000 children with varying bakcgrounds. He also coaches the local Columbus Semi-Pro football team, and helps to prepare players for the next level. Lorenzo's post-football success comes at no surprise to those who knew him while he played the game.

Coaching career

Ohio Dominican

From 2009-2010, he was the linebackers coach for the Ohio Dominican University Panthers.^[1]

Marion Mayhem

In 2010, Styles was named the Defensive Line Coach for the Marion Mayhem, an indoor football team in the Continental Indoor Football League. There he worked with League Sack Record Holder, Thomas McKenzie. The Mayhem lacked financial stability and were unable to finish the season. McKenzie went on to play for the Fort Wayne FireHawks, and was named 1st Team All-CIFL.

Dayton Silverbacks

In 2011, Styles became the Defensive Coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Dayton Silverbacks, also of the CIFL. The Silverbacks went on to the playoffs as the 3rd best team in the league. Chris Respress won the Defensive Player of the Year, after playing under Styles.^[2]

Marion Blue Racers

On August 17, 2011, he was named the Head Coach for the Marion Blue Racers for the 2012 season. He will be leading to the Blue Racers into their first year as a member of the United Indoor Football League.^[3]

References