Akeem Jordan

Akeem Jordan

Jordan in August 2009.
No. --  Free agent
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Date of birth: August 17, 1985
Place of birth: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school: Harrisonburg (VA)
College: James Madison
Undrafted: 2007
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2014
Tackles: 330
Sacks: 1.0
Interceptions: 2
Stats at NFL.com
Stats at pro-football-reference.com

Akeem Raphael Jordan (born August 17, 1985) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at James Madison.

Early years

Jordan attended Harrisonburg High School in Virginia. In 2001, he was named the Virginia Group AA Player of the Year after leading his team to a state title. He earned first-team all-state honors in 2002 as a senior defensive back, and second-team honors as a running back.

College career

Jordan played college football at James Madison University, where he was a member of the 2004 National Championship team which defeated The University of Montana to win the title. He was named the Colonial Athletic Association Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2006 after posting 140 tackles including 17 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[1] He finished third in voting for the 2006 Dudley Award, which is given annually to the best college football player in Virginia, behind Vince Hall and Chris Long.[2] Jordan was named to the American Football Coaches Association Division I-AA Coaches' All-America Team in 2006.[3] He finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the best defensive player in Division I FCS.[4] He was named the Virginia Defensive Player of the Year following the season as well.[5] In his career as a Duke, he appeared in 50 games (26 starts) and made 299 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He graduated from James Madison in 2007.

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2007, Jordan played in all preseason games and led the team in tackles when the preseason was over. He made the final cuts when the Eagles had to come down to the 53-man roster, but was cut and signed to the practice squad the next day when the Eagles picked up two free agents.[6] On October 29, 2007, the Eagles cut linebacker Matt McCoy and called up Jordan from the practice squad.[7] He made his NFL debut later that week, playing special teams against the Dallas Cowboys. Jordan made his first NFL start in week 17 of the 2007 season at weakside linebacker against the Buffalo Bills after Takeo Spikes was placed on injured reserve.[8] He recorded 14 tackles in the game. He played in nine games as a rookie and finished fourth in special teams productions.[9]

Jordan began the 2008 season as the backup weakside linebacker to Omar Gaither, playing mostly on special teams.[10] In a week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens, Jordan replaced Gaither at weakside linebacker.[11] Jordan led the team with nine tackles in the game.[12] He kept the starting weakside linebacker job for the remainder of the season.[13] The next week against the Arizona Cardinals on Thanksgiving night, Jordan recovered his first career fumble.[14] He recorded 10 tackles in a week 16 loss to the Washington Redskins.[15]

Jordan beat out Gaither for the starting right outside linebacker job before the 2009 season. Jordan made an interception in each of the first two weeks of the season.[16] He missed four straight games after suffering a hyperextended knee in a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys. He rotated with Jeremiah Trotter at middle linebacker upon his return.[17] Jordan made two starts at middle linebacker.[18] Jordan finished the season with 82 tackles in ten starts.[19]

Jordan was re-signed to a one-year restricted free agent tender on March 22, 2010.[20] He beat out Moise Fokou for the starting strongside linebacker job in the preseason, but was replaced by Fokou after starting the first four games of the season.[21]

Jordan was not offered a tender following the 2010 season.[22] He was re-signed to a one-year contract on July 30, 2011. He was re-signed again to a two-year contract on September 6.

Kansas City Chiefs

Jordan agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on April 13, 2013, reuniting him with former head coach Andy Reid.

Washington Redskins

Jordan signed with the Washington Redskins on March 19, 2014.[23] He was placed on the active roster on October 18, 2014.[24] On November 25, the Redskins waived him off their injured reserve.[25]

Personal

Jordan and two of his James Madison teammates were charged with assault and battery by a teammate in February 2006. The teammate dropped the charges on March 20, 2006, but gave no reason why.[26] Jordan was arrested and served with a citizen-obtained warrant for misdemeanor assault and battery in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on June 19, 2011.[27]

References

  1. ↑ O'Sullivan, Tim (November 22, 2006). "Tough conference inspires 'Cats confidence in playoffs". Concord Monitor. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  2. ↑ "Hall wins Dudley Award". Virginia Tech Hokies. December 6, 2006. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  3. ↑ "Murphy named to AFCA Division I-AA Coaches' All-America Team". Montana Grizzlies. December 12, 2006. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  4. ↑ "Shotwell, Moore also nab awards". Concord Monitor. December 15, 2006. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  5. ↑ "Hall, Ore honored as tops in the state". Virginia Tech Hokies. December 21, 2006. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  6. ↑ "Extra innings Sports in brief". The Times Leader. September 3, 2007. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  7. ↑ Maaddi, Rob (October 29, 2007). "From now on, Eagles are in win-or-else mode". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  8. ↑ "Eagles' Spikes Done For Season". KOCO.com. December 19, 2007. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  9. ↑ Robinson, Tom (August 22, 2008). "From JMU to NFL, Jordan trying to prove he belongs". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  10. ↑ Fierro, Nick (December 20, 2008). "Evolution of Eagles defense". nj.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  11. ↑ Schwartz, Andy (November 23, 2008). "Schwartz: Eagles Notes: Shurmur Informs McNabb". CSNPhilly.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  12. ↑ "Bird's-eye view". Reading Eagle. November 24, 2008. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  13. ↑ Grotz, Bob (November 25, 2008). "Reid proves to team that no job is safe". The Mercury. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  14. ↑ Nalbone, John (November 28, 2008). "Postgame Notebook". nj.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  15. ↑ "JMU Alum Soars with the Philadelphia Eagles". The Breeze. December 25, 2008. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  16. ↑ Grotz, Bob (September 21, 2009). "The Eagles Clipboard". delcotimes.com. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  17. ↑ Fierro, Nick (December 18, 2009). "Henry's death hits hard for Andrews". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  18. ↑ Jasner, Andy (January 7, 2010). "Eagles' Vick a fan of Wade Phillips". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  19. ↑ "Jordan signs one-year tender offer". ESPN.com. March 22, 2010. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  20. ↑ McLane, Jeff (March 22, 2010). "Jordan signs tender". Philly.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-22.
  21. ↑ Fierro, Nick (October 9, 2010). "Eagles preparing for 49ers' best shot". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  22. ↑ McLane, Jeff (March 4, 2011). "Eagles move to hold Rocca and Harrison". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  23. ↑ Akeem Jordan Pads Linebacker Corps
  24. ↑ Keim, John. "Redskins activate Stephen Bowen". ESPN. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  25. ↑ Jones, Mike (November 25, 2014). "Redskins waive injured linebacker Akeem Jordan". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  26. ↑ "Charges Dropped". WHSV.com. March 20, 2006. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  27. ↑ DeLea, Pete (June 20, 2011). "NFL Linebacker, JMU Star Jordan Arrested". The Daily News Record. Retrieved 2011-06-20.

External links