Dwayne Levels
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Dwayne Levels
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 57, 52
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|5|9}}
| birth_place = Lubbock County, Texas
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 248
| high_school = Richardson (TX)
| college = Oklahoma State
| undraftedyear = 2002
| pastteams =
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2002|2004}})
- Barcelona Dragons (2003)
- Ottawa Renegades ({{CFL Year|2006}})*
- Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|2006}})*
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 13
| statlabel2 = Total tackles
| statvalue2 = 15
| pfr = LeveDw20
}}
Ernest Dwayne Levels (born May 9, 1979) is a former American football linebacker who spent three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals. He also spent one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL), but did not play. Levels played college football for Oklahoma State and was signed by the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in {{NFL Year|2002}}.
Early life and education
Levels was born on May 9, 1979, in Lubbock County, Texas. He attended Richardson High School in Richardson, Texas, before playing college football for Oklahoma State University. Upon joining the school in 1997, Levels was given a redshirt.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerl/leve00450.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Dwayne Levels Stats}} He joined the varsity squad the following year, and became a regular starter shortly afterwards. In 2000, Levels was one of the best players on the roster, and made 16 tackles in one game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88625163/the-daily-oklahoman/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 13, 2000|title=No quit in this Cowboy|author=Helsley, John}} {{Open access}} Teammate Zac Akin said, "Oh, he played his heart and soul out. It's ridiculous. The last few games, he's been barely able to get off the field a couple of times. This game, he's throwing up on the sidelines, goes back in there, makes a couple plays. Finally, we get him talked into going off the field. He's just dying out there. It's amazing. Dwayne is amazing."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88624914/the-daily-oklahoman/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 8, 2000|title=Levels a warrior}} {{Open access}} He returned for a final season in 2001, playing in all eleven games, and made a 57-yard interception return touchdown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/dwayne-levels-1.html|website=Sports Reference|title=Dwayne Levels College Stats}}
Professional career
After going unselected in the 2002 NFL draft, Levels signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. He was released at roster cuts and subsequently signed to their practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88624939/the-cincinnati-enquirer/|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 24, 2002|title=Hard-knocks opportunity|author=Ernst, Ryan}} {{Open access}} He was sent to the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe in early 2003, and "had an outstanding season", starting all ten games and making 57 tackles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88625216/the-cincinnati-enquirer/|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 1, 2003|title=Who made the team and why...}} {{Open access}} He made the Bengals final roster upon returning, and spent the season playing on special teams and as a backup linebacker. He made his first career start against the Baltimore Ravens in week seven, recording three tackles in the 34–26 win.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88624976/dayton-daily-news/|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 22, 2003|title=Rookie goes the distance|author=Lance, Dave}} {{Open access}} He finished the season with 15 combined tackles in 13 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LeveDw20.htm|title=Dwayne Levels Stats|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He was waived by the Bengals in July {{NFL Year|2004}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88625242/chillicothe-gazette/|newspaper=Chillicothe Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 17, 2004|title=Bengals waive LB Dwayne Levels}} {{Open access}} After spending time out of football in 2005, Levels was signed by the Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in early {{CFL Year|2006}}, only to see them fold shortly afterwards. He was later selected in the 2006 CFL Dispersal Draft by the Montreal Alouettes, but was released in training camp.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88625360/the-gazette/|newspaper=The Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 10, 2006|title=Bittersweet 16: Alouettes make cuts|author=Zurkowsky, Herb}} {{Open access}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88625028/the-daily-oklahoman/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 3, 2001|title=Levels of success|author=Helsley, John}} {{Open access}}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88624957/the-daily-oklahoman/|newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 20, 2001|title=Levels has no regrets about return to OSU|author=Helsley, John}} {{Open access}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Levels, Dwayne}}
Category:Players of American football from Richardson, Texas
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Canadian football linebackers
Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys football players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Ottawa Renegades players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Montreal Alouettes players