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Photos: Former Wisconsin football star Jim Leonhard through the years
- Updated
From his time representing the Badgers as a player, to a pro career and returning to Madison as a coach, here is Jim Leonhard's career through photos.
UNLV's Troy Mason, left, turns after making a first quarter reception as Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard defends Aug. 31, 2002 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
JOE CAVARETTA, Associated Press
Baltimore punt returner Jim Leonhard (36) returns the ball against Cleveland linebacker Beau Bell (58) and safety Ryan Pontbriand (64) Sept. 21, 2008.
Nick Wass, Associated Press
Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) drags Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard (36) as he runs for extra yards on Nov. 16, 2008.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press
Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard runs after intercepting the ball during an AFC wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins Jan. 4, 2009.Â
Lynne Sladky, Associated Press
Jets safety Jim Leonhard gestures toward teammate Darrelle Revis, not pictured, during training camp Aug. 3, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard, left, runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals Aug. 21, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Buffalo outside linebacker Manny Lawson, right, celebrates a fumble recovery with teammate Jim Leonhard Nov. 17, 2013.
Gary Wiepert, Associated Press
Buffalo's Jim Leonard runs with an interception against the New York Jets Sept. 22, 2013.
Bill Kostroun, Associated Press
Denver free safety Jim Leonhard stands on the field during a break against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 16, 2012.
Patrick Semansky, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard talks to reporters in the Jets' locker room on Jan. 2, 2012.
Seth Wenig, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard holds a football before a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 9, 2017.
Aaron Gash, Associated Pres
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against Penn State Sept. 4, 2021.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard talks with game officials during the second against Illinois Saturday.
Kayla Wolf, Associated Press
Jim Leonhard returns an interception against Indiana during happier times, before the team gave up a huge lead. The Wisconsin Badgers took on the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 12, 2002, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
Badgers Jim Leonhard exits the field after setting a new record in all-time punt returns.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard returns a punt for 31 yards against UNLV in the second half Sept. 11, 2004. Leonhard became Wisconsin's all-time career punt return yardage leader on the return. Wisconsin won 18-3.
MORRY GASH, Associated Press
Cleveland defensive back Jim Leonhard intercepts a pass from Buffalo quarterback Kyle Orton Nov. 30, 2014.
Bill Wippert, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Jim Leonhard takes it to the house as he returns a punt for a 63-yard touchdown late in the game to tie Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 26-23 Oct. 18, 2003, at Camp Randall Stadium.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
Jim Leonhard (18) of the Badgers returns a punt against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard during pregame warmups before the Badgers host New Mexico State Sept. 17. Leonhard has been promoted to head coach with the firing of Paul Chryst, right.
Steve Apps, For the State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard embraces safety D'Cota Dixon (14) after a defensive touchdown during the first half of the 2017 Big Ten Football Championship against Ohio State.
M.P. KING, State JournalFrom his time representing the Badgers as a player, to a pro career and returning to Madison as a coach, here is Jim Leonhard's career through…
UNLV's Troy Mason, left, turns after making a first quarter reception as Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard defends Aug. 31, 2002 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
JOE CAVARETTA, Associated Press
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard returns a punt for 31 yards against UNLV in the second half Sept. 11, 2004. Leonhard became Wisconsin's all-time career punt return yardage leader on the return. Wisconsin won 18-3.
MORRY GASH, Associated Press
Baltimore punt returner Jim Leonhard (36) returns the ball against Cleveland linebacker Beau Bell (58) and safety Ryan Pontbriand (64) Sept. 21, 2008.
Nick Wass, Associated Press
Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) drags Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard (36) as he runs for extra yards on Nov. 16, 2008.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press
Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard runs after intercepting the ball during an AFC wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins Jan. 4, 2009.Â
Lynne Sladky, Associated Press
Jets safety Jim Leonhard gestures toward teammate Darrelle Revis, not pictured, during training camp Aug. 3, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard, left, runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals Aug. 21, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Buffalo outside linebacker Manny Lawson, right, celebrates a fumble recovery with teammate Jim Leonhard Nov. 17, 2013.
Gary Wiepert, Associated Press
Buffalo's Jim Leonard runs with an interception against the New York Jets Sept. 22, 2013.
Bill Kostroun, Associated Press
Cleveland defensive back Jim Leonhard intercepts a pass from Buffalo quarterback Kyle Orton Nov. 30, 2014.
Bill Wippert, Associated Press
Denver free safety Jim Leonhard stands on the field during a break against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 16, 2012.
Patrick Semansky, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard talks to reporters in the Jets' locker room on Jan. 2, 2012.
Seth Wenig, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard holds a football before a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 9, 2017.
Aaron Gash, Associated Pres
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against Penn State Sept. 4, 2021.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard talks with game officials during the second against Illinois Saturday.
Kayla Wolf, Associated Press
Jim Leonhard returns an interception against Indiana during happier times, before the team gave up a huge lead. The Wisconsin Badgers took on the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 12, 2002, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
Jim Leonhard takes it to the house as he returns a punt for a 63-yard touchdown late in the game to tie Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 26-23 Oct. 18, 2003, at Camp Randall Stadium.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
Jim Leonhard and the Badgers felt at home in Tucson, Arizona. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 9-7 September 18, 2004.
JOHN MANIACI, STate Journal
Jim Leonhard (18) of the Badgers returns a punt against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Badgers Jim Leonhard exits the field after setting a new record in all-time punt returns.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard during pregame warmups before the Badgers host New Mexico State Sept. 17. Leonhard has been promoted to head coach with the firing of Paul Chryst, right.
Steve Apps, For the State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard embraces safety D'Cota Dixon (14) after a defensive touchdown during the first half of the 2017 Big Ten Football Championship against Ohio State.
M.P. KING, State Journal
Jim Leonhard and the Badgers felt at home in Tucson, Arizona. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 9-7 September 18, 2004.
JOHN MANIACI, STate Journal
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard holds a football before a game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 9, 2017.
Aaron Gash, Associated Pres
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches against Penn State Sept. 4, 2021.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard talks with game officials during the second against Illinois Saturday.
Kayla Wolf, Associated Press
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard returns a punt for 31 yards against UNLV in the second half Sept. 11, 2004. Leonhard became Wisconsin's all-time career punt return yardage leader on the return. Wisconsin won 18-3.
MORRY GASH, Associated Press
Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) drags Baltimore safety Jim Leonhard (36) as he runs for extra yards on Nov. 16, 2008.
Kathy Willens, Associated Press
Buffalo's Jim Leonard runs with an interception against the New York Jets Sept. 22, 2013.
Bill Kostroun, Associated Press
Badgers Jim Leonhard exits the field after setting a new record in all-time punt returns.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated Press
Jim Leonhard takes it to the house as he returns a punt for a 63-yard touchdown late in the game to tie Purdue. The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Wisconsin Badgers 26-23 Oct. 18, 2003, at Camp Randall Stadium.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
Jim Leonhard and the Badgers felt at home in Tucson, Arizona. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 9-7 September 18, 2004.
JOHN MANIACI, STate Journal
Jim Leonhard (18) of the Badgers returns a punt against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
MICHELLE STOCKER
Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard during pregame warmups before the Badgers host New Mexico State Sept. 17. Leonhard has been promoted to head coach with the firing of Paul Chryst, right.
Steve Apps, For the State Journal
Wisconsin Badgers defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard embraces safety D'Cota Dixon (14) after a defensive touchdown during the first half of the 2017 Big Ten Football Championship against Ohio State.
M.P. KING, State Journal
Baltimore punt returner Jim Leonhard (36) returns the ball against Cleveland linebacker Beau Bell (58) and safety Ryan Pontbriand (64) Sept. 21, 2008.
Nick Wass, Associated Press
Jets safety Jim Leonhard gestures toward teammate Darrelle Revis, not pictured, during training camp Aug. 3, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard, left, runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals Aug. 21, 2011.
Julio Cortez, Associated Press
Buffalo outside linebacker Manny Lawson, right, celebrates a fumble recovery with teammate Jim Leonhard Nov. 17, 2013.
Gary Wiepert, Associated Press
Denver free safety Jim Leonhard stands on the field during a break against the Baltimore Ravens Dec. 16, 2012.
Patrick Semansky, Associated Press
Jets' Jim Leonhard talks to reporters in the Jets' locker room on Jan. 2, 2012.
Seth Wenig, Associated Press
Jim Leonhard returns an interception against Indiana during happier times, before the team gave up a huge lead. The Wisconsin Badgers took on the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 12, 2002, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
JOHN MANIACI, State Journal
UNLV's Troy Mason, left, turns after making a first quarter reception as Wisconsin's Jim Leonhard defends Aug. 31, 2002 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
JOE CAVARETTA, Associated Press
Cleveland defensive back Jim Leonhard intercepts a pass from Buffalo quarterback Kyle Orton Nov. 30, 2014.
Bill Wippert, Associated Press
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard against New Mexico Sept. 8, 2018.
Morry Gash, Associated PressLocations
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From his time representing the Badgers as a player, to a pro career and returning to Madison as a coach, here is Jim Leonhard's career through…

