Lawrence Timmons

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons (born May 14, 1986) is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted by the Steelers 15th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State University.

Early years
Timmons played high school football at Wilson High School in Florence, South Carolina playing tight end and linebacker. During his senior year he was awarded as the Defensive Player of the Year and received Super Prep Elite 50 honors. He was also selected to play in the 2003 East-West Shrine Game.

College career
Timmons played college football at Florida State University. He chose Florida State over numerous colleges including Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. After being used mainly on special teams and as a backup linebacker for his first two years, he became a starter during his junior year after Ernie Sims was drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft. He had a great season recording 79 tackles and five sacks, and was honored with All-American third-team and All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team. He finished his college career with 126 tackles and eight sacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Timmons was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers 15th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played in 16 games recording 13 tackles.

Timmons' playing time increased during his second season in 2008. He finished the season with 65 tackles, five sacks and an interception. In Super Bowl XLIII he recorded 5 tackles in the 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Timmons took over as starter for the 2009 season following the release of Larry Foote, who had wanted out due to Timmons's increasing playing time. Foote would return to the Steelers the following year to be Timmons' backup.

In 2010, despite getting less acclaim than many on the Steelers defense, he led the team in tackles with 135, also recording 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions.

On August 23, 2011, the Steelers gave Timmons a six-year/$50 million contract extension. At the time, he was entering the last year of his rookie contract.

Personal
Timmons's mother, a huge basketball fan, named Timmons after NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon by giving him the middle name Olajuwon.