Alexandria’s “Big John” Leglue recently announced his retirement from the NFL, after seven seasons.
His time in the league wasn’t adorned with moments in the spotlight or a treasure-trove of honors, but it was a personal treasure after an unlikely journey to football’s highest level. And now it can serve as an heirloom for his family, his native city, Menard High School and Tulane University.
He achieved the unexpected. Unlike his fellow 2019 NFL rookie classmate, offensive lineman and Cenla native, Cody Ford, the 6-foot-7 Leglue wasn’t selected in the second round of the NFL Draft. He wasn’t selected in any round of the draft. But the Denver Broncos signed him as a free agent, giving him an entry into the NFL door. Once there, he pursued and achieved his childhood dream of playing in the NFL.
His NFL career-track looks like something from a pinball machine, bouncing around the league with the Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams.
In seven seasons, he played in eight games – seven with the Steelers, one with the Falcons. A highlight from his time with the Steelers: he started at left guard in their 2021 season AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 16, 2022. He stepped in because of injuries, helping on the offensive line during Ben Roethlisberger’s final season.
“(Steelers) Coach Mike Tomlin used to say, ‘One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity,’” said Leglue, “and that motivated me throughout my career to prepare myself for whenever the opportunity might come my way.”
After failing to make the 53-man roster with the Rams during the last preseason, and not getting any invitations after that, he figured it was time to retire. Now he’s talking with some folks about possible NFL front-office jobs while also considering other opportunities in the business world.
John Wagner Leglue, 29, and slimmed down to 290 pounds from his playing weight of 320, lives in Tampa with his wife of three years, Bianca, a native of Puerto Rico. He met her at Tulane, where she played for the volleyball team. He gives credit to her, his parents Allen and Stacey, his grandparents, other family members and friends and others for helping him fulfill his dream.
Going back to when he was in fifth or sixth grade, he cites the help given him by powerlifting coach Don Fields. When John started lifting, he could barely press the bar alone. Fields taught him the fundamentals of lifting weights properly and instilled in him the mindset of pushing through pain.
He gives credit to his football coach at Menard, Freddie Hallman, for opening his eyes to what might be possible.
“He pulled me in his office when I was a freshman or sophomore and told me, “I think if you keep working hard, you have an opportunity to play college football.”
Then, in a bit of a surprise, he wound up playing football for Tulane after initially committing to play for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. His parents wanted John to go to Tulane because of its academic reputation, believing it would serve him well beyond football.
David Hilton, an Alexandria dentist who played football for Menard and Tulane, recalled a time when he went to a Tulane game when his son, Logan, was a punter for the Green Wave. John, then being recruited by college teams, and his father were in the stands with them.
“Behind us in the parent section were Joe and Jennifer Montana,” said Hilton, who was a linebacker at Tulane. “Their son, Nick, transferred to Tulane and was the starting Wave quarterback. I was brazen enough to introduce John to Joe at halftime and he was gracious enough to spend time visiting with John.”
Leglue remembered that meeting with the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and admitted it influenced his decision to accept a late scholarship offer from Tulane.
“It’s hard to say no when Joe Montana tells you, ‘It’d be great if you could come here and protect my son,’” Leglue said, noting he continues to regard Nick Montana as a friend.
At Tulane, Leglue started in 37 games, played all four positions on the offensive line, and made the All-American Athletic Conference Academic Team as a senior, when he achieved his master’s degree in business administration after getting an undergraduate degree as a junior.
He also started working with youth in the Special Olympics while at Tulane and continued that and other charitable work while in the NFL, such as providing Thanksgiving turkeys to various groups.
All the while, he hung around NFL camps and sidelines, waiting for opportunities and preparing for them. He made the most of them when called.
“He hung around long enough to be vested in the NFL retirement package,” said Hilton, “so I guess it was worth it. He was always perfect when I saw him play. Hate that he didn’t get more playing time. He was the biggest guy on the sideline!”
“Many dream of playing in the NFL,” said Leglue in his retirement announcement, “but few truly understand the discipline, sacrifice and commitment it takes to get there. I’m thankful for every high, low, scar, lesson and brother this sport brought into my life.
“God,” he added, “thank you for the ability, the opportunity, and for guiding me every step of this journey.”