Kareem Larrimore

Kareem Maktrel Larrimore (born April 21, 1976 in Los Angeles, California) is a retired arena football defensive back. He was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. In his career, he played for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL), the Dallas Desperados, Austin Wranglers, and Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League (AFL), and the Amarillo Dusters (then of the IFL). He played college football at West Texas A&M.

Early years

Larrimore played only one year of football at Locke High School, because of poor grades. He walked on at Cerritos Junior College where he was named junior college All-American in his second year.

After the gang-related death of his brother, he transferred to West Texas A&M, where he received Division II All-American and All-Lone Star Conference honors. As a junior in 1998, he had 34 tackles, two interceptions (which he returned for 90 yards and a touchdown) and seven passes defensed, along with 20 kickoff returns for 532 yards and a touchdown with the longest being 100 yards. As a senior in 1999, he missed the season opener, but played the rest of the year and had 32 tackles, five interceptions (which he returned for 109 yards and a touchdown) and 10 passes broken up, along with 15 kickoff returns for 318 yards. After his senior season, he played in both the Blue-Gray All-Star Game, where he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, and the Senior Bowl.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Larrimore was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (109th overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft, after dropping because of character concerns and failing a marijuana test in the scouting combine.

He impressed the team with his athletic ability from the beginning and moved ahead of fellow rookie draft picks Dwayne Goodrich and Mario Edwards. He was named the starter at left cornerback in place of a retired Kevin Smith, but he struggled and was replaced with the more experienced Phillippi Sparks after the fourth game of the season. The move didn't sit well with him and violations of team rules started to affect his standing with the team.^[1]

In 2001, he was suspended for the final preseason game, the season opener and fined for missing curfew when the Cowboys traveled to Mexico City to play the Oakland Raiders in the American Bowl. He eventually was released on October 23, with reports later surfacing that he had been fined at least 11 other times for various reasons.^[2]

Larrimore played for the Cowboys for two seasons, appearing in 19 regular season games (15 in 2000, four in 2001) and starting in 6 games.

Dallas Desperados (AFL)

On May 21, 2002, he signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League, who were owned by Jerry Jones, who also owned the Dallas Cowboys.^[3] As a rookie he played in nine games, earning the position as the team’s top kick returner and defensive specialist. He received AFL All-Rookie honors after finishing with 24.5 tackles, 5 passes defensed and one interception.^[4]

In 2003, knee and back injuries limited him to seven games, while spending time on the Reserve/Injured list three times. He recorded 26.5 tackles, 4 passes defensed, 2 interceptions and 27 kickoff returns for 476 yards (17.6 avg.).

Chicago Rush (AFL)

Larrimore was selected by the Austin Wranglers in the league's expansion draft, but was traded to the Chicago Rush for Cedric Walker on October 15, 2003.^[5] He was waived on April 7, 2004, after registering 11 tackles, one interception, 21 kickoff returns for 485 yards and 2 touchdowns .^[6]

Amarillo Dusters (IFL)

After three seasons in the Arena Football League, Larrimore signed with the Amarillo Dusters then of the Intense Football League, on May 28, 2004.^[7]

Inglewood Blackhawks (LCFL)

In 2009, he signed with the Inglewood Blackhawks of the LCFL West Semi pro league. He helped the team win the 2010 LCFL Championship.^[8]

See also

• List of National Football League and Arena football players

References