Ben Leber

Infobox NFLactive


currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=51
currentpositionplain=Outside linebacker
birthdate=birth date and age|1978|12|7
birthplace=Council Bluffs, Iowa
heightft=6
heightin=3
weight=244
debutyear=2002
debutteam=San Diego Chargers
college=Kansas State
draftyear=2002
draftround=3
draftpick=71
pastteams=
* San Diego Chargers (2002-2005)
* Minnesota Vikings (2006-present)
statweek=5
statseason=2008
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=341
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=20
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=3
nfl=LEB506360

Ben Leber (born December 7, 1978 in Council Bluffs, IA) is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. Son of Al and Han Leber, brother Jason, was an All-America running back at South Dakota. He previously played for the San Diego Chargers. He attended Kansas State University.

Personal

Named to several high school All-America teams at Vermillion (S.D.) High School. Parade Magazine All-America at Vermillion High School as senior, honorable mention All-USA by USA Today, selected to play in North-South Dakota All-Star game. Two-time all-state and all-conference selection, honor roll student all four years, also lettered in track, competing in 100-meter dash, Two-time all-state selection in South Dakota. Earned Academic All-State with a 3.9 grade point average in high school. He and his wife Abby have moved back to the Upper Midwest after spending the last four years in California.

High School

Parade All-American, the only player from South Dakota so honored in 1997 at Vermillion (S.D.) High … Honorable mention All-USA by USA Today … Played in the North-South Dakota All-Star game … Two-time All-State and All-Conference selection … Rushed for 1,350 yards as a senior … Rushed for 1,404 yards and 18 touchdowns on 155 carries as a junior … Honor roll student all four years … Academic All-State with a 3.9 GPA … Also lettered in track, competing in the 100-meter dash (10.8).

College

A two-time All-Big 12 selection, he finished his college career with 216 tackles, 46 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks. His 216 tackles was fifth most in Kansas State history. Fifth-most tackles for loss in school history, second team all-conference choice as junior. Earned his college degree at K-State in business-general management. At Kansas State was all-America third-team selection by Associated Press as senior and consensus All-Big 12 Conference first-team choice and team captain.

2002

Drafted in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the 71st selection, Leber played in all 16 games and started 14 of them. Selected to Pro Football Weekly’s and Football Digest's All-Rookie teams, ranked third on Chargers with five sacks, led team with three forced fumbles. Finished the year with 49 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles.

2003

Started every game at strong side linebacker for Chargers ... ranked fourth on team with 75 tackles ... added three sacks, one pass defense and one forced fumble ... evened season-high with eight tackles at Detroit on Dec. 7 ... also had eight tackles at Cleveland on Oct. 19.

2004

Started all 16 games for the Chargers, finishing the season with 58 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.

2005

Was injured during training camp and again during the season, losing his starting job to rookie Shawne Merriman in the process at San Diego. Finished the season with 22 tackles, two sacks and one fumble recovery.

2006

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Vikings on March 11, 2006. After 4 seasons with the San Diego Chargers. Finished the season with 46 tackles, three sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one fumble rec. td.

Career Statistics

References

*http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=63&p=8&c=1&nid=2451843
*http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302071
*http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/playerStats?categoryId=102826&seasonStatus=5
*http://www.nflplayers.com/players/player.aspx?id=33035
*http://www.nfl.com/draft/2002/profiles/leber_ben.htm#stats