Akeem Jordan
Encyclopedia
Akeem Raphael Jordan is an American football
linebacker
for the Philadelphia Eagles
of the National Football League
(NFL). He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
at James Madison
.
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
.
, 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 Atlantic-10 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. 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
. Jordan was named to the American Football Coaches Association
Division I-AA Coaches' All-America Team in 2006. He finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award
, which is given to the best defensive player in Division I FCS. He was named the Virginia Defensive Player of the Year following the season as well. 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.
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. On October 29, 2007, the Eagles cut linebacker Matt McCoy and called up Jordan from the practice squad. 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
. He recorded 14 tackles in the game. He played in nine games as a rookie and finished fourth in special teams productions.
Jordan began the 2008 season
as the backup weakside linebacker to Omar Gaither
, playing mostly on special teams. In a week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens
, Jordan replaced Gaither at weakside linebacker. Jordan led the team with nine tackles in the game. He kept the starting weakside linebacker job for the remainder of the season. The next week against the Arizona Cardinals
on Thanksgiving night, Jordan recovered his first career fumble. He recorded 10 tackles in a week 16 loss to the Washington Redskins
.
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. 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. Jordan made two starts at middle linebacker. Jordan finished the season with 82 tackles in ten starts.
Jordan was re-signed to a one-year restricted free agent
tender on March 22, 2010. 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.
Jordan was not offered a tender following the 2010 season
. 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.
and battery
by a fellow teammate in February 2006. The teammate dropped the charges on March 20, 2006, but gave no reason why. Jordan was arrested and served with a citizen-obtained warrant for misdemeanor assault and battery in Harrisonburg, Virginia
, on June 19, 2011.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at James Madison
James Madison Dukes football
The James Madison Dukes football team, founded in 1972, plays at Bridgeforth Stadium. Originally called JMU Stadium, it was renamed for William E. Bridgeforth in 1990. The JMU football team was rarely the centerpiece of JMU sports until the hiring of Mickey Matthews in 1999...
.
Early years
Jordan attended Harrisonburg High SchoolHarrisonburg High School (Virginia)
Harrisonburg High School, part of the Harrisonburg City School System, is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.HHS serves grades nine through twelve, and is home of the Harrisonburg Blue Streaks. There are currently 1381 students enrolled...
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
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
.
College career
Jordan played college football at James Madison UniversityJames Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with 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 Atlantic-10 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. He finished third in voting for the 2006 Dudley Award
Dudley Award
The Dudley Award, named after former Virginia running back Bill Dudley, is presented annually by the Richmond Times-Dispatch to one NCAA Division I football player in the Commonwealth of Virginia....
, which is given annually to the best college football player in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, behind Vince Hall
Vince Hall
Vincent Larry Hall is an American football linebacker who is currently playing for the Richmond Revolution of the Indoor Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Chris Long
Chris Long (American football)
Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Rams second overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.Long is a son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long.-Early...
. Jordan was named to the American Football Coaches Association
American Football Coaches Association
The American Football Coaches Association is an association of over 11,000 football coaches and staff on all levels. According to its constitution, some of the main goals of the American Football Coaches Association are to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the profession of...
Division I-AA Coaches' All-America Team in 2006. He finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award
Buck Buchanan Award
The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football, and was first given in 1995 after the Walter Payton Award was designated solely for offensive players.The trophy was named in honor of the...
, which is given to the best defensive player in Division I FCS. He was named the Virginia Defensive Player of the Year following the season as well. 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.
Philadelphia Eagles
Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
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. On October 29, 2007, the Eagles cut linebacker Matt McCoy and called up Jordan from the practice squad. He made his NFL debut later that week, playing special teams against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Jordan made his first NFL start in week 17 of the 2007 season
2007 NFL season
The 2007 NFL season was the 88th regular season of the National Football League.Regular-season play was held from September 6 to December 30....
at weakside linebacker against the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
after Takeo Spikes
Takeo Spikes
Takeo Gerard Spikes is an American football linebacker for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals 13th overall in the 1998 NFL Draft...
was placed on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
. He recorded 14 tackles in the game. He played in nine games as a rookie and finished fourth in special teams productions.
Jordan began the 2008 season
2008 NFL season
The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League, themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."Super Bowl XLIII, the league's championship game, was at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009, with the Pittsburgh Steelers coming out victorious over the...
as the backup weakside linebacker to Omar Gaither
Omar Gaither
-Philadelphia Eagles:Gaither was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Gaither received significant playing time later in the 2006 season due to the struggles and injury of starter Matt McCoy. Gaither got his first NFL start at weakside linebacker on December...
, playing mostly on special teams. In a week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, Jordan replaced Gaither at weakside linebacker. Jordan led the team with nine tackles in the game. He kept the starting weakside linebacker job for the remainder of the season. The next week against the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on Thanksgiving night, Jordan recovered his first career fumble. He recorded 10 tackles in a week 16 loss to the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
.
Jordan beat out Gaither for the starting right outside linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
job before the 2009 season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
. Jordan made an interception in each of the first two weeks of the season. He missed four straight games after suffering a hyperextended knee in a week 9 game against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. He rotated with Jeremiah Trotter
Jeremiah Trotter
Jeremiah Trotter is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Stephen F...
at middle linebacker upon his return. Jordan made two starts at middle linebacker. Jordan finished the season with 82 tackles in ten starts.
Jordan was re-signed to a one-year restricted free agent
Restricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
tender on March 22, 2010. He beat out Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents...
for the starting strongside linebacker job in the preseason, but was replaced by Fokou after starting the first four games of the season.
Jordan was not offered a tender following the 2010 season
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
. 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.
Personal
Jordan and two of his James Madison teammates were charged with assaultAssault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
and battery
Battery (crime)
Battery is a criminal offense involving unlawful physical contact, distinct from assault which is the fear of such contact.In the United States, criminal battery, or simply battery, is the use of force against another, resulting in harmful or offensive contact...
by a fellow teammate in February 2006. The teammate dropped the charges on March 20, 2006, but gave no reason why. Jordan was arrested and served with a citizen-obtained warrant for misdemeanor assault and battery in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg is an independent city in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia in the United States. Its population as of 2010 is 48,914, and at the 2000 census, 40,468. Harrisonburg is the county seat of Rockingham County and the core city of the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical...
, on June 19, 2011.