Ken Lucas
No. 21, 23, 31
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1979-01-23) January 23, 1979
Cleveland, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Cleveland (MS) East Side
College:Ole Miss
NFL Draft:2001 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:533
Interceptions:25
Pass deflections:110
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Kenyatta Cornelius Lucas (born January 23, 1979) is a former American football cornerback. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi. In 2004 he was the NFC co-leader in interceptions.

Lucas has also played for the Carolina Panthers.

Early years

Lucas attended East Side High School in Cleveland, Mississippi, where he garnered first-team all-district honors at wide receiver and kick returner and all-county recognition at wide receiver and cornerback playing alongside former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack. He was selected the district rookie of the year as a freshman and named the team's most outstanding player as a junior and most valuable player as a senior. Lucas also lettered four times in baseball, finishing with a .395 career batting average. He graduated from East Side in 1997.

College career

Lucas began playing at the University of Mississippi as a wide receiver before moving to defensive back late in his sophomore season. He finished his college career with 87 tackles, seven interceptions and 33 passes defensed on defense; in addition, he totaled 23 catches for 292 yards and one touchdown and four carries for 73 yards on offense. Lucas returned 20 kickoffs for 383 yards and one punt for 17 yards, had nine tackles and blocked two punts on special teams.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeight
6 ft 0+1⁄4 in
(1.84 m)		 200 lb
(91 kg)
Values from NFL Combine[1]

First stint with Seahawks

Lucas was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.[2] He started in his first game as a rookie against the Cleveland Browns, managing to deflect a crucial late game pass that allowed Seattle to preserve their lead and win the game. Lucas would go on to continue his defensive prowess by recording his first NFL interception against the esteemed San Diego Chargers' quarterback, Doug Flutie.

During the 2002 NFL season, Lucas earned nationwide attention after recording two interceptions against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, earning him the NFL's "NFC Defensive Player of the Week" award. After an impressive display of athletic ability, Lucas finished the season with a career-high 82 tackles.

During the 2004 NFL season, Lucas again earned the title of "NFC Defensive Player of the Week" after recording two interceptions against St. Louis Rams' quarterback Marc Bulger. He would finish the season with six interceptions, including one which was returned for his first NFL touchdown.

Carolina Panthers

Lucas was signed by the Panthers prior to the 2005 NFL season as an unrestricted free agent. He started fifteen games in his first season with the Panthers, and once more closed the season with six interceptions. Lucas would continue his superb work in the playoffs, recording two interceptions in three games, although he ended that season with a loss in the NFC Championship against his old team, the eventual 2005 NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks. During training camp for the 2008 season, Lucas was involved in an altercation with Panthers star receiver Steve Smith. Smith blackened Lucas' eye and broke his nose during the scuffle. Ken Lucas was praised by numerous people for forgiving Smith completely.[3]

Lucas was released by the Panthers on March 11, 2009 to clear about $2.3 million in salary cap space.[4]

Second stint with Seahawks

After four seasons in Carolina, Lucas re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 27, 2009.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2001SEA 168494450.001000150100
2002SEA 16168271110.03367040121000
2003SEA 1476252100.011270271211240
2004SEA 1616706280.02646125211230
2005CAR 1515696270.036700321501240
2006CAR 13124531140.00313013100000
2007CAR 1616625840.0221011302431
2008CAR 1616605370.01274043100000
2009SEA 166342860.00100020000
138112533461720.0122529814311037941

Playoffs

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsTDLngPDFFFRYdsTD
2003SEA 107430.00000000000
2004SEA 114400.00000020000
2005CAR 33131120.0021501440000
2008CAR 116510.00000000000
65302460.0021501460000

References

  1. ↑ "2001 Draft Scout Ken Lucas, Mississippi NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  2. ↑ "2001 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  3. ↑ Gift of forgiveness has served Lucas, Panthers well
  4. ↑ Panthers Release Lucas Yahoo Sports, March 11, 2009
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