SR521: SR521 Floyd, Leonard; recognize

25 LC 112 3576 Senate Resolution 521 By: Senators Walker III of the 20th, Tillery of the 19th, Summers of the 13th, Cowsert of the 46th, Beach of the 21st and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending Leonard Floyd; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Atlanta native Leonard Floyd attended Dodge County High School in Eastman,2 Georgia, where he played football as a defensive end and tight end; and3 WHEREAS, as a freshman at the University of Georgia, he started in eight out of 13 games4 and finished the season with 55 tackles and a team-leading 6.5 sacks; after a successful5 sophomore and junior season, he announced his intentions to enter the 2016 NFL Draft; and6 WHEREAS, the Chicago Bears selected Leonard Floyd in the first round of the 2016 NFL7 Draft and held him for four years until his release on March 17, 2020; and8 WHEREAS, on April 24, 2020, the Los Angeles Rams recognized his skill and signed him9 to a one-year contract before extending his contract for an additional four years; and10 WHEREAS, Leonard Floyd made an immediate impact with the Rams, becoming a key11 contributor to their defense, particularly during their playoff runs; and12 S. R. 521 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3576 WHEREAS, during the Divisional Round of the NFC playoffs, Leonard Floyd became the13 last player in NFL history to tackle Tom Brady in the Rams' 30-27 victory over the Tampa14 Bay Buccaneers; and15 WHEREAS, his leadership and performance helped the Rams secure a Super Bowl LVI16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with a final score of 23-20 , where he contributed17 significantly in the defensive effort; and18 WHEREAS, Leonard Floyd earned a reputation as one of the NFL's premier edge rushers,19 registering multiple seasons with double-digit sack totals, inc luding 10.5 sacks in 2021,20 which contributed to his standing as one of the league's most impactful defenders; and21 WHEREAS, in 2023, he joined the Atlanta Falcons, returning home to Georgia and bringing22 his veteran leadership and pass-rushing prowess to bolster the Falcons' defense, with hopes23 of continuing his winning legacy and contributing to the success of his hometown team; and24 WHEREAS, Leonard Floyd's accomplishments, including his Super B owl victory, his25 consistency as a pass rusher, and his overall leadership on and off the field, have earned him26 the respect and admiration of teammates, coaches, and fans alike; and27 WHEREAS, his superior skill, strategy, stamina, and control have earned him the respect and28 admiration of his teammates and challengers; and29 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the superlati ve abilities of this30 accomplished and gifted athlete, as well as the pride, honor, a nd respect he has brought to31 himself, his team, and his community, be appropriately recognized.32 S. R. 521 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3576 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body33 recognize and commend Leonard Floyd for his many outstanding athletic accomplishments,34 his success with the Los Angeles Rams, his leadership in securing a Super Bowl LVI victory,35 and his exciting return to Georgia as a member of the Atlanta F alcons as well as extend36 sincere best wishes for continued success on and off the field.37 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed38 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Leonard Floyd.39 S. R. 521 - 3 -