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Darius Leonard shares interesting offseason training motivation

By Jaleel Grandberry

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Darius Leonard #53 and Kenny Moore II #23 of the Indianapolis Colts react to tackling Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 11: Darius Leonard #53 and Kenny Moore II #23 of the Indianapolis Colts react to tackling Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter in a game at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker, Darius Leonard, has a special motivation that fuels him during offseason training.

Darius Leonard is an all-around leader for the Indianapolis Colts. He leads vocally, emotionally, and most of all, he leads with his play-making ability.

Watching Leonard, it’s obvious that he’s a motivated individual. He’s motivated to bring a Lombardi Trophy to Indianapolis and to get the Colts respect. There’s also something else that keeps Leonard motivated.

That something, or someone rather, is Derrick Henry, the starting running back of the division rival Tennessee Titans.

Darius Leonard is motivated by Derrick Henry

Speaking with Jim Wyatt of the Tennessee Titans, Leonard praised Henry for his size and physical running throughout games, ultimately saying, “what drills am I gone do to make me better to face Derrick Henry, one of the best backs in the league.”

This is a matchup that takes place at least twice a year if both players are healthy. Unfortunately for Leonard, Henry and the Titans have been on the winning end of the matchup in the last three meetings.

In those three games, Henry carried the ball 83 times for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Henry also got the best of Leonard on a play when he caught Leonard going for a punch-out at the wrong time, running over the All-Pro linebacker.

Leonard has joked about the play and admitted that’s a risk you live with when attempting to punch the ball out. Things have worked in Leonard’s favor more times than not, but he will definitely remember this play.

It will be another memory of Henry in his mind that fuels him as he grinds throughout the offseason. Leonard and the rest of the Colts will have to put in extra work heading into next season so that they can unseat Tennessee as the kings of the AFC South.

The Titans have won the division the last two years with Indy finishing second. Maybe some extra offseason motivation can change that.

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