Editing Byron Leftwich (section)

===Professional===
{{NFL predraft
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|         note = <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1079&DraftYear=2003 |title=Byron Leftwich, Marshall, QB, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=6604 |title=Byron Leftwich, Combine Results, QB - Marshall (WV) |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Byron Leftwich Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LeftBy00.htm#all_combine |access-date=May 18, 2024 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
}}

====Jacksonville Jaguars====
Publicity from MACtion games helped make the obscure Leftwich a top ten draft selection.{{r|sherman20191119}} At the [[2003 NFL draft]], the [[Minnesota Vikings]] and [[Baltimore Ravens]] agreed to a trade to move the Ravens into position to take him with Minnesota's seventh overall selection. However, one of the teams had second thoughts at the last minute and the Vikings missed the allotted time for their pick. As a result, the Vikings had defaulted on their selection and consequently moved back to the ninth pick. The Jaguars, who were originally slotted to be drafting eighth overall, were taken up to the seventh pick, and they used it to take Leftwich.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2003/draft.htm |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Byron Leftwich Jaguars 2005.jpg|thumb|Leftwich with the Jaguars in 2005]]
Leftwich took over as the Jaguars starting quarterback in game four of his rookie year after [[Mark Brunell]] was injured in the previous week's matchup against the [[Indianapolis Colts]].

For the first 10 games of the 2005 regular season, Leftwich was developing into the quarterback the Jaguars believed he would become when they picked him in the first round. He attained a passer rating of 89.3, ninth-best in the NFL, and a 3:1 touchdown:interception ratio (15:5).

However, in the Week 12 game against the [[Arizona Cardinals]], Leftwich suffered a broken ankle after being sacked by Cardinals' safety [[Adrian Wilson (American football)|Adrian Wilson]] on the first play of the game. Leftwich missed the remaining five games of the regular season. He returned against the [[New England Patriots]] in the AFC Wild Card round of the playoffs. The Patriots won 28–3.

Leftwich entered his fourth NFL season as the Jaguars' starting quarterback, but without veteran wide receiver [[Jimmy Smith (wide receiver)|Jimmy Smith]], who suddenly retired in May 2006. Leftwich led the Jaguars to victories on national television in consecutive weeks against the favored [[Dallas Cowboys]] and [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] to begin the 2006 season. Leftwich suffered an [[ankle]] injury in a Week 4 loss to the [[Washington Redskins]].  Following a Week 6 loss to the [[Houston Texans]], Leftwich had surgery to repair the ankle, which effectively ended his season.

[[David Garrard]] replaced Leftwich for the remainder of the season. In his first seven games as Leftwich's replacement, Garrard led the Jaguars to five wins and two losses and an 8–5 record through 13 games. Garrard's and the team's success in Leftwich's absence led to speculation that the Jaguars might seek to replace Leftwich permanently with Garrard. However, the Jaguars lost the three final games of the season, preventing the team from making the playoffs, and Garrard struggled in each game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=29078&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2006&week=REG15 |title=Watch Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans |work=NFL.com |date= December 17, 2006|access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> Garrard's ineffectiveness prompted Jaguars head coach [[Jack Del Rio]] to replace him with backup [[Quinn Gray]].

In February 2007, Del Rio publicly reaffirmed his commitment to Leftwich, formally naming him as the team's starter over Garrard and Gray.

After observing Leftwich's and Garrard's performances throughout the 2007 preseason, in the week preceding the first regular season game of 2007, Del Rio named Garrard the team's starter and declared that Leftwich would be either cut or traded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jaguars.com/News/Article.aspx?id=6273|title=Jags trying to move Leftwich|first=Vic|last=Ketchman|publisher=[[Jacksonville Jaguars]]|date=August 31, 2007|access-date=September 1, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008142527/http://www.jaguars.com//news/Article.aspx?id=6273|archive-date=October 8, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Jaguars cut Leftwich on September 1, 2007.

====Atlanta Falcons====
On September 17, 2007, Leftwich was flown out to [[Atlanta]] to meet with [[Atlanta Falcons]] officials, citing a possible signing with the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jaguars.com/News/Article.aspx?id=6280|title=Jaguars Trim Roster to 53|publisher=[[Jacksonville Jaguars]]|date=September 1, 2007|access-date=September 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007134223/http://www.jaguars.com//news/Article.aspx?id=6280|archive-date=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> On September 18, Leftwich signed a two-year deal with the Falcons with incentives attached that could make the deal worth up to $7 million.

Leftwich entered the season as a backup to starter [[Joey Harrington]]. After replacing Harrington late in Week 5, Leftwich got the start in Week 7 and played very well, before having to leave the game with an ankle sprain. He got the start again in Week 11 after returning from his injury. Harrington regained his starting position and Leftwich did not play again. On February 15, 2008, he was released by the Falcons. He worked out for the [[Tennessee Titans]] in July.

====Pittsburgh Steelers (first stint)====
On August 10, 2008, Leftwich was signed by the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] to a one-year deal after Pittsburgh's backup [[Charlie Batch]] was injured in a preseason game.<ref>{{cite news|title=Steelers sign Leftwich, Culpepper as QB fill-ins |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=444019 |work=NFL |publisher=[[Sporting News]] |date=August 9, 2008 |access-date=August 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080813012114/http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=444019 |archive-date=August 13, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Steelers looking at QB Leftwich|url= https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txsteelersleftwich&prov=st&type=lgns|work= NFL|publisher= [[Yahoo! Sports]]|date= August 9, 2008|access-date= August 9, 2008|archive-date= August 14, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080814132957/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txsteelersleftwich&prov=st&type=lgns|url-status= dead}}</ref> The contract was worth $645,000 and included a $40,000 signing bonus.<ref>{{cite news |title= Leftwich the pick on the QB option |url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08224/903429-66.stm|publisher= [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date= August 11, 2008|access-date=December 28, 2008 | first=Gerry | last=Dulac}}</ref> Leftwich started the 2008 season as the backup to quarterback [[Ben Roethlisberger]]. "I'm the guy sitting in the bullpen," he stated prior to the first game of the 2008 season. "If something were to happen, I have to go out there."<ref>{{cite news |first= Ed|last= Bouchette|title= Leftwich embraces new role as Steelers' No. 2 quarterback|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08246/908702-66.stm|publisher= [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|date= September 2, 2008|access-date=September 2, 2008}}</ref> Leftwich performed well throughout the season when called upon, appearing in five games. During the 2008 season, he completed 21 of 36 attempts for 303 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions for a 104.3 passer rating, in addition to rushing for one touchdown. Leftwich earned a Super Bowl ring as the Steelers' backup when the Steelers defeated the [[Arizona Cardinals]] in [[Super Bowl XLIII]].<ref>[http://news.steelers.com/article/102487/ My Super Bowl Journey:Byron Leftwich] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203165917/http://news.steelers.com/article/102487/ |date=February 3, 2009 }}</ref>

[[File:LeftwichSteelers.JPG|right|thumb|Leftwich under center as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers]]

====Tampa Bay Buccaneers====
Leftwich agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] on April 12, 2009.

On August 29, Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris named Leftwich the team's starter for the 2009 regular season.

On September 28, Buccaneers benched Leftwich after a disappointing loss to the New York Giants and an 0–3 start to the season. [[Josh Johnson (quarterback)|Josh Johnson]] was named the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new starting QB, while Leftwich moved down to third string behind [[Josh Freeman]]. After spending several games inactive due to an elbow injury, on November 24 Leftwich was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2009 season.

====Pittsburgh Steelers (second stint)====
Leftwich was traded to the Steelers in exchange for a 2010 seventh-round draft pick on April 20, 2010. He was expected to be the starter while Ben Roethlisberger served his four-game suspension,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=5121614 |title=Ben Roethlisberger gets six-game ban|website=ESPN |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref> but suffered a knee injury during the preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Leftwich was cut from the Steelers on September 18, 2010, in a temporary move to make room for defensive lineman [[Steve McLendon]], who was signed due to an injury to [[Casey Hampton]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Steelers release Byron Leftwich | work=Sporting News | date=September 18, 2010 | url=http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2010-09-18/steelers-release-byron-leftwich | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928093641/http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2010-09-18/steelers-release-byron-leftwich | archive-date=September 28, 2012 | access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref> However, on September 19, Steelers quarterback [[Dennis Dixon]] was injured in a win over the Tennessee Titans and Leftwich was re-signed on the morning of September 20.<ref>{{cite news| title = Leftwich returns to Steelers again
 | agency = Associated Press | date = September 20, 2010 | url = https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/leftwich-returns-to-steelers-again-1.871511 | access-date = October 18, 2021}}</ref> Leftwich made one appearance during the regular season finale, in relief of Roethlisberger, once the game was out of reach for the opposing [[Cleveland Browns|Cleveland]]. The final score was 41–9 and he completed 5 passes out of 7 attempts for a total of 42 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.<ref>{{cite web| title = NFL Game Center: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns - 2010 Week 17| work = NFL.com| date = January 2, 2011| url = http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011010203/2010/REG17/steelers@browns/recap#tab:analyze| access-date = August 28, 2011| url-status = dead| archive-date = January 30, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120130090555/http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011010203/2010/REG17/steelers@browns/recap#tab:analyze}}</ref> Leftwich was the Steelers backup quarterback for their playoff run and [[Super Bowl XLV]] loss to the [[Green Bay Packers]].<ref>{{cite web| last = McCall| first = Amanda| title = Steelers' Leftwich Prepares for Super Bowl XLV | publisher = wvnstv.com| date = February 1, 2011| url = http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=93551| access-date = August 28, 2011}}</ref>

During week 3 of the 2011 preseason against [[Atlanta Falcons|Atlanta]], Leftwich broke his left arm after landing awkwardly while running with the ball. On September 2, he was placed on the Injured Reserve list, causing him to miss the entire season. He later re-signed with the team in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web | title=Report: Broken arm might not end Steelers QB Leftwich's year | work=NFL.com| date=August 28, 2011 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/report-broken-arm-might-not-end-steelers-qb-leftwich-s-year-09000d5d821ca1ad}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Steelers Reduce Roster to 58; Leftwich on IR| work = NFL.com| date = September 2, 2011| url = http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Reduce-Roster-to-58-Leftwich-on-IR/75212781-58ae-4ec7-9039-9960240e5d57| access-date = September 2, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110904155910/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Reduce-Roster-to-58-Leftwich-on-IR/75212781-58ae-4ec7-9039-9960240e5d57| archive-date = September 4, 2011| url-status = dead}}</ref>

During Week 10 of the 2012 season, Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out of the game against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] at Heinz Field, injuring his [[Sternoclavicular articulation|SC joint]] and rib on the only sack of the game.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2012/11/14/Roethlisberger-is-out-indefinitely/stories/201211140222 | title=Roethlisberger is out indefinitely | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Ed | last=Bouchette | date=November 14, 2012 | access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/leftwich-start-qb-steelers-sunday-152239817--nfl.html | title=Roethlisberger has rib injury too, out vs. Ravens | first=Will | last=Graves | agency=Associated Press | date=November 14, 2012 | website=Yahoo! Sports | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123233657/https://sports.yahoo.com/news/leftwich-start-qb-steelers-sunday-152239817--nfl.html | archive-date=November 23, 2012}}</ref>  Leftwich came into the game and completed seven of 14 passes for 73 yards, helping lead the team to a go-ahead fourth quarter field goal in a game that would eventually be tied before the Steelers finally won in overtime.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2012/11/13/Timmons-OT-interception-helps-Steelers-edge-Chiefs-16-13/stories/201211130265 | title=Timmons' OT interception helps Steelers edge Chiefs, 16–13 | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Ed | last=Bouchette | date=November 13, 2012 | access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=321112023 |title=Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Box Score: November 12, 2012|publisher=ESPN |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=March 24, 2013}}</ref>  Two days after the win against the Chiefs, the Steelers announced that Leftwich would be the starter in Week 11 against the [[Baltimore Ravens]] at home.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2012/11/14/Steelers-Leftwich-will-start-over-injured-Roethlisberger/stories/201211140214 | title=Steelers: Leftwich will start over injured Roethlisberger | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first=Ed | last=Bouchette | date=November 14, 2012 | access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref> He had a career-long rush of 31 yards for a touchdown in the opening drive in the loss against the Ravens. However, in the process, he broke his rib and he was sidelined after the game, which would be the last one of his career.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2012/11/19/byron-leftwich-broken-ribs-charlie-batch/1715667/ | title=Byron Leftwich's broken ribs leave Steelers scrambling | date=November 19, 2012 | first=Jarrett | last=Bell | work=USA Today}}</ref>