Levon Kirkland Madden Career 1994-2002 - Peak 95 OVR
The 275-pound Steeler who could still cover the slot
Levon Kirkland weighed somewhere between 275 and 300 pounds and moved like a man 50 pounds lighter, which is why Pittsburgh could line up its inside linebacker over slot receivers and dare offenses to test him. A second-round pick in 1992 and a consensus All-American at Clemson, he anchored the middle of Bill Cowher's defenses for nine seasons.
In Super Bowl XXX he racked up 10 tackles and sacked Troy Aikman in a 27-17 loss to Dallas. He was more than a run stuffer: he intercepted four passes in 1996 while adding 114 tackles and four sacks, then led the team with 126 tackles and five sacks in 1997 as the Steelers reached the AFC Championship. Two Pro Bowls, a first-team All-Pro nod, and a spot on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team followed.
Madden logged the tail of a great career. He shows as a 66 in the 1996 edition, then commands a 92 in the 2000 game and a 90 in 2001, the ratings honoring a linebacker who defied his size. The number falls to 78 by the 2003 edition during his final seasons in Seattle and Philadelphia.
Levon Kirkland Madden Career Milestones
- Peak rating: 95 OVR (calculated) in Madden NFL 1999
- Appeared in 8 Madden releases (Madden NFL 1994 through Madden NFL 2002)
- Entered at 49 OVR in Madden NFL 1994, climbed 46 points to his peak
- Biggest single-year rise: 25 points into Madden NFL 1995
- Played for 2 franchises: Steelers, Seahawks
- Listed as a linebacker in every Madden release
- Final Madden appearance: Madden NFL 2002 at 90 OVR
Levon Kirkland Madden Career Ratings
| Madden | Team | Pos | OVR | Speed | ACC | AGI | STR | JMP | STA | INJ | TGH | AWR | THP | TAS | TAM | TAD | CAR | BTK | CTH | RBK | PBK | TAK | PUR | KPW | KAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1994 * 1993 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 49* | 40 | - | 40 | - | - | - | - | - | 40 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 53 | - | - | 59 | - | - | - |
|
1995 * 1994 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 74* | 50 | - | 58 | - | - | - | - | - | 74 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 74 | 74 | - | - |
|
1996 * 1995 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 69* | 59 | - | 59 | - | - | - | - | - | 66 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 | - | - | 73 | 59 | - | - |
|
1997 1996 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 66 | 54 | 37 | 57 | - | 39 | 56 | - | - | 71 | - | - | - | - | 22 | 12 | 30 | - | - | 69 | - | - | - |
|
1998 * 1997 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 89* | 86 | - | 73 | - | - | - | - | - | 92 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 92 | - | - | 46 | - | - | - |
|
1999 1998 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 95* | 62 | 69 | 75 | 76 | - | - | 9 | - | 95 | - | - | - | - | 18 | 17 | 19 | - | - | 95 | - | - | - |
|
2000 1999 NFL season
|
|
LILB | 90* | 62 | 62 | 74 | 76 | - | - | 84 | - | 90 | - | - | - | - | 29 | 34 | 34 | - | - | 90 | - | - | - |
|
2002 2001 NFL season
|
|
MLB | 90 | 68 | 73 | 70 | 83 | 58 | 88 | 84 | 88 | 91 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 31 | - | 45 | 20 | 17 | 93 | - | 18 | 33 |
Era Linebackers who played alongside Levon Kirkland
Levon Kirkland Madden Ratings by Year
Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1994 rating: 49 OVR (1993 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1995 rating: 74 OVR (1994 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1996 rating: 69 OVR (1995 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1997 rating: 66 OVR (1996 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1998 rating: 89 OVR (1997 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 1999 rating: 95 OVR (1998 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 2000 rating: 90 OVR (1999 NFL season, PIT). Levon Kirkland Madden NFL 2002 rating: 90 OVR (2001 NFL season, SEA).