Jay Leeuwenburg (2022) - CU Athletic Hall of Fame - University of Colorado Athletics

Jay Leeuwenburg

Induction:
2022
Class:
1991

A three-year starter and letterman at center (1989 through 1991) under head coach Bill McCartney … A unanimous first-team All-American as a senior in 1991 (Associated Press, United Press International, AFCA/Kodak, FWAA, Walter Camp, Football News and The Sporting News (one of just six unanimous All-Americans in CU history, the fourth Buff at the time to earn such) … Also a Playboy Preseason All-American prior to his senior year … He was an honorable mention All-American as a junior in 1990 … A two-time first-team All-Big Eight selection as a junior and senior, the first Buff center to ever be honored twice with all-league honors … One of six finalists for the 1991 Outland Trophy Award … In his three seasons as a starter (37 games, 1989-91), the team rushed for 9,843 yards in 34 games (or 289.5 yards per); Colorado ranked second, sixth and 19th in the nation, respectively, those three years … In over 2,200 career plays, he allowed just four quarterbacks sacks and was called for a penalty only four times (just one of each his senior year) … One of the few offensive linemen to be selected as the Collegiate Athlete of the Year by the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame (for 1991) … Won the team’s Derek Singleton Award as a senior (for spirit, enthusiasm and dedication) … A ninth round pick by Kansas City in the 1992 NFL Draft (244th overall) … He played in 137 career NFL games with Chicago Bears (1992-95), Indianapolis (1996-98), Cincinnati (1999) and Washington (2000) … Returned to Colorado after his retirement and spent two seasons as the radio color analyst for CU football and basketball for KOA-Radio … One of 26 players to have his jersey honored and name hung in Folsom Field He was an inspiration nationally to many as he has been a Type I Diabetic since the 8th grade … He is currently a third grade teacher at the Colorado Academy in Denver and an assistant coach at Arapahoe High School … He was born June 18, 1969 in St. Louis and was an all-state performer at Kirkwood (Mo.) High School.