Levon Kirkland Takes a Stand

In part two of this series recounting the stories told by the Steelers' alumni durng Steelers Men's Fantasy Camp,  Levon Kirkland recounts the struggles a young linebacker has trying to control a group of talented, veteran defensive players with strong personalities and bad dispositions.---DWMT

Levon Kirkland is a really good dude.  He’s also a really big dude with a booming voice and a talent for story telling.

Levon replaced pro bowl inside linebacker David Little in 1993, only his second year in the league.  As Levon remembers, the veteran guys did not take kindly to this.  They had played with Little a number of years and resented the new guy whose job it was to call the defensive plays in the huddle and who had taken their friend’s job away.

As a result, some of the guys were less than respectful to his authority and sometimes openly challenged it.  Some were more passive, like Rod Woodson who simply did not get in the huddle at all (as Levon said,  “Well, Rod IS God after all.”).  Or Kevin Greene who would act as if he had not heard the call and rush on every play, no matter what the call was.

Kirk said he would order some of the younger guys around, but most of the guys just would not get in the huddle and listen.  He would almost have to beg for a huddle to be formed, sometimes asking “Please, get into the huddle.”

A special problem was Greg Lloyd.  Most of you will remember Mr. Lloyd who was without a doubt one of the most intimidating figures in the NFL.  As Kirk said, “Lloyd was like a 10th degree kung-fu guy and was willing to use his talents for evil.”

Kirk said that each time he would call the defense, Lloyd would yell at him, “Hey Kirk, stop calling the m---- f------ plays so m----- f------ loud!”  He did this on a regular basis until Levon was finally fed up.  He also had Greene on the other side claiming he could not hear the plays at all.

As he describes, “A little devil popped up on my shoulder during a game.  The devil said, ‘Hey, how long you gonna take that shit from him?  Say something, G.  Tell that m------ f----- what time it is!’  You’re Levon F----- Kirkland!  We don’t take no shit!’

Levon said the angel on the other side was in agreement.  So they all three agreed, something must be done about Mr. Lloyd and his bad attitude.

In a game against the Bengals, Lloyd started his shit again.  Kirk snaps and says, “Hey! Get in the damn huddle and shut your m------ f------ mouth!”. He said Lloyd walked over to the huddle and did not say a word, staring at him the entire way.

Kirk said all he could think about was getting into the locker room and out of the locker room before Mr. Lloyd could see him after the game.  No shower, no interviews, just undress and go! Which is what he did.  

He said all day Monday he watched professional wrestling and perfected his techniques as he knew he would see a disturbed Lloyd the next day.  “What would Rick Flair do?” he thought.

Tuesday rolls around and Kirk is at his locker.  He hears “Hey!” from behind him and he knows its Lloyd.  Kirk says he slowly reaches behind him for his helmet as it was his intention to get one good whack at Lloyd with the helmet and run like hell.

Kirk turns around and sees a shirtless Lloyd who says, “Yo G.  Way to take control of the m-------  f-------‘ huddle.” Then he walks away.

No more problems from anyone after that…

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Next up:  Bubby Brister and Merrill Hoge cause Coach Cowher problems during training camp.