Jon Beason

Jonathan Beason (born January 14, 1985 in Miramar, Florida) is an American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 25th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.

Early years
Beason attended Chaminade Madonna College Preparatory School from 1999-2003. He played multiple positions including linebacker, strong safety and fullback. As a senior, Beason rushed for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns at fullback, and made 75 tackles and had five pass interceptions on defense. Beason also ran track and was on the basketball team.

College career
Beason played his college football at the University of Miami. He began his career at fullback but shifted to linebacker as a redshirt freshman. During his career he collected 187 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. He majored in sports administration.

7th Floor Crew
Beason was one of the players in the recording of the song "7th Floor Crew", a lewd rap music song about sexual activities on the seventh floor of Mahoney Hall. He went as "Big Beast"

2007 NFL Draft
Some guys are athletes, some guys are big, some guys are mean, he's a football player.

2007 NFL Season
Beason was drafted 25th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Beason had a great rookie season, finishing second behind Patrick Willis in tackles for a rookie with 140. He finished second in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Willis, receiving two votes.

2008 NFL Season
During Beason's second year he was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was an AP All-Pro selection after recording 138 tackles and three interceptions.

2009 NFL Season
Beason's third year was another good year, as he recorded three sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble, and 141 tackles, including 111 solo tackles. As a result, Beason was a second team pick on the 2009 All-Pro Team, and also received a spot in the Pro Bowl when Patrick Willis backed out due to injury.

2010 NFL Season
Due to an injury to outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, Beason volunteered to move to the outside linebacker position while Davis recovered. However, Davis was not taken off the list by the Panthers, and Beason had to assume the role further until Dan Connor, who had taken over the inside linebacker position, had a season-ending injury, thus moving Beason back inside.

Due to him switching positions, he finished the season with the worst statistical performance of his career, recording only 121 tackles (9 less than fellow Panther James Anderson and the first time in his career he did not place first in team tackles). However, Beason was rewarded for his temporary switch to the position, and was designated a Pro Bowl alternate at the outside linebacker position, and later was awarded a spot when Lance Briggs backed out due to an injury.