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Revision as of 10:22, 11 January 2009 by VarlaNC (talk | contribs) (→Carolina Panthers)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) American football player| Carolina Panthers | |||||||||
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| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Mississippi | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2001 / round: 2 / pick: 40 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2007 | |||||||||
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Kenyatta Cornelius Lucas (born January 23, 1979 in Cleveland, Mississippi) is an American football cornerback who plays for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.
High school career
Lucas attended East Side High School in Cleveland, Mississippi, where he garnered first-team all-district honors at wide receiver and kick returner and all-county recognition at wide receiver and cornerback playing alongside current Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman "Pork Chop" Womack. He was selected the district rookie of the year as a freshman and named the team's most outstanding player as a junior and most valuable player as a senior. Lucas also lettered four times in baseball, finishing with a .395 career batting average. He graduated from East Side in 1997.
Collegiate career
Lucas began playing at the University of Mississippi as a wide receiver before moving to defensive back late in his sophomore season. He finished his college career with 87 tackles, seven interceptions and 33 passes defensed on defense; in addition, he totaled 23 catches for 292 yards and one touchdown and four carries for 73 yards on offense. Lucas returned 20 kickoffs for 383 yards and one punt for 17 yards, had nine tackles and blocked two punts on special teams.
Professional career
Seattle Seahawks
Lucas was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He started in his first game as a rookie against the Cleveland Browns, managing to deflect a crucial late game pass that allowed Seattle to preserve their lead and win the game. Lucas would go on to continue his defensive prowess by recording his first NFL interception against the esteemed San Diego Chargers' quarterback, Doug Flutie.
During the 2002 NFL season, Lucas earned nation-wide attention after recording two interceptions against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, earning him the NFL's "NFC Defensive Player of the Week" award. After an impressive display of athletic ability, Lucas finished the season with a career high 82 tackles.
During the 2004 NFL season, Lucas again earned the title of "NFC Defensive Player of the Week" after recording two interceptions against St. Louis Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger. He would finish the season with six interceptions, including one which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.
Carolina Panthers
Lucas was signed by the Panthers prior to the 2005 NFL season as an unrestricted free agent. He started fifteen games in his first season with the Panthers, and once more closed the season with six interceptions. Lucas would continue his superb work in the playoffs, recording two interceptions in three games. During training camp for the 2008 season, Lucas was involved in an altercation with Panthers star receiver Steve Smith. Smith blackened his eye and broke his nose. Lucas was later praised by numerous people for forgiving Smith completely.