View source for Dwight Freeney

{{Short description|American football player (born 1980)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Dwight Freeney
| image       = Dwight Freeney.JPG
| image_size  =
| alt         = 
| caption     = Freeney with the [[Indianapolis Colts]] in 2010
| current_team =Syracuse Orange
| number      = <!--93,54-->
| position    = Director of player development <!--[Defensive end]] <br> [[Linebacker]]-->
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1980|2|18|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Hartford, Connecticut]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 1
| weight_lbs  = 268
| high_school = [[Bloomfield High School (Connecticut)|Bloomfield]]<br>([[Bloomfield, Connecticut]])
| college     = [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] (1998–2001)
| draftyear   = 2002
| draftround  = 1
| draftpick   = 11
| pastteams   =
* [[Indianapolis Colts]] ({{NFL Year|2002}}–{{NFL Year|2012}})
* [[San Diego Chargers]] ({{NFL Year|2013}}–{{NFL Year|2014}})
* [[Arizona Cardinals]] ({{NFL Year|2015}})
* [[Atlanta Falcons]] ({{NFL Year|2016}})
* [[Seattle Seahawks]] ({{NFL Year|2017}})
* [[Detroit Lions]] ({{NFL Year|2017}})
<!-- Do not include contract with the Colts for 2018. This was an unofficial ceremonial contract -->
| pastadmin   =
*[[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] (2025-present)<br> Director of player development 
| highlights  =
* [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XLI|XLI]])
* 3× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[2005 All-Pro Team|2004]], [[2005 All-Pro Team|2005]], [[2009 All-Pro Team|2009]])
* Second-team All-Pro ([[2003 All-Pro Team|2003]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2004 Pro Bowl|2003]]–[[2006 Pro Bowl|2005]], [[2009 Pro Bowl|2008]]–[[2012 Pro Bowl|2011]])
* [[List of National Football League season sacks leaders|NFL sacks leader]] (2004)
* [[NFL forced fumbles leader|NFL forced fumbles co-leader]] (2002)
* [[National Football League 2000s All-Decade Team|NFL 2000s All-Decade Team]]
* [[PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[PFWA All-Rookie Team#2002|2002]])
* [[Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor]]
* [[Unanimous All-American]] ([[2001 College Football All-America Team|2001]])
* [[Big East Conference football individual awards#Defensive Player of the Year|Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year]] (2001)
* 2× First-team All-[[Big East Conference (1979–2013)|Big East]] (2000, 2001)
* [[Syracuse Orange football#Retired numbers|Syracuse Orange No. 54]] retired
| statlabel1  = [[Tackle (football move)|Total tackles]]
| statvalue1  = 332
| statlabel2  = [[Quarterback sacks|Sacks]]
| statvalue2  = 125.5
| statlabel3  = [[Fumble|Forced fumbles]]
| statvalue3  = 47
| statlabel4  = [[Fumble|Fumble recoveries]]
| statvalue4  = 4
| statlabel5  = [[Pass deflections]]
| statvalue5  = 17
| statlabel6  = [[Touchdown|Defensive touchdowns]]
| statvalue6  = 1
| pfr         = FreeDw00
| HOF         = dwight-freeney
| CollegeHOF  = 2505 
}}

'''Dwight Jason Freeney''' (born February 18, 1980) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who currently serves as the Director of player development for [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse University]]. Freeney played as a [[defensive end]] and [[linebacker]] for 16 seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL), most notably as a member of the [[Indianapolis Colts]]. He played [[college football]] for the [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse Orange]], earning [[unanimous All-American]] honors. He was selected by the Colts in the first round of the [[2002 NFL draft]]. With the Colts, Freeney won [[Super Bowl XLI]] over the [[Chicago Bears]], and made seven [[Pro Bowl]]s. He also played for the [[San Diego Chargers]], [[Arizona Cardinals]], [[Atlanta Falcons]], [[Seattle Seahawks]] and [[Detroit Lions]].

==Early life==
Freeney was born in [[Hartford, Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butterfield |first=Christine |date=January 5, 2023 |title=CT native Dwight Freeney among Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists |url=https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/article/Pro-Football-Hall-of-Fame-Dwight-Freeney-17696267.php |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=CT Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> He attended [[Bloomfield High School (Connecticut)|Bloomfield High School]] in [[Bloomfield, Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 10, 2023 |title=Dwight Freeney's journey to the College Football Hall of Fame began on a soccer field in Bloomfield |url=https://www.fox61.com/article/sports/football/dwight-freeney-bloomfield-college-football-hall-of-fame/520-58697752-b8dd-4bdd-adbc-ca67ede09f63 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=fox61.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Freeney was a four-sport letterman, earning four letters in baseball in which he was coached by Alphonso Ford; four in basketball; three in [[high school football|football]], in which he played both ways; and one in soccer, in which he played goalie in his freshman year before switching over to football. Freeney holds the record for [[Quarterback sack|sacks]] at his high school and used to hold the record for most sacks in a high school career in the Connecticut record book. (Record now held by [[Mark Evanchick]] of Darien HS) Bloomfield High retired his No. 44 football jersey.<ref>http://www.blmfld.org/page.cfm?p=3379{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> During his youth, Freeney idolized [[New York Giants]] linebacker [[Lawrence Taylor]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crouse |first=Karen |date=January 2007 |title=Using Quickness, Colts' Freeney Is Spinning Into Control |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/30/sports/football/30colts.html?_r=1&ref=lawrence_taylor |access-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref>

==College career==
Freeney received an athletic scholarship to attend [[Syracuse University]], where he played for the [[Syracuse Orange football|Orange]] from 1998 to 2001. A two-year [[starting lineup|starter]] for Syracuse, he set a school record with 17.5 sacks in his senior season and his 34 career sacks rank second in school history to Tim Green (45.5).<ref name="fbsstatistics">{{Cite web |title=careersacks1980 |url=http://www.fbsstatistics.com/careersacks1980.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142114/http://www.fbsstatistics.com/careersacks1980.htm |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=fbsstatistics.com}}</ref><ref name="ncaa">{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2009 |title=2009 NCAA Division I Records (FBS) |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/football_records/DI/2009/2009FBS.pdf |access-date=November 23, 2017 |publisher=NCAA}}</ref>  Freeney was the school's premier pass rusher, and once had a string of 17 consecutive games with at least one sack. Against Virginia Tech, Freeney sacked elusive Hokies quarterback [[Michael Vick]] 4.5 times in one game.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dwight Freeney: The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts |publisher=Colts.com |url=http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=bio&player_id=121 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050521074833/http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=bio&player_id=121 |archive-date=May 21, 2005}}</ref>

Freeney finished his college career with 104 tackles (68 unassisted), 34 quarterback sacks, 51 tackles for a loss, and 43 quarterback pressures.<ref name="scout">{{Cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts NFL Football News |url=http://ind.scout.com/a.z?s=113&p=8&c=1&nid=3148060 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=ind.scout.com}}</ref>  He was a first-team All-[[Big East Conference (1979–2013)|Big East Conference]] selection in 2000 and 2001, and was recognized as a [[unanimous All-American|unanimous first-team All-American]] following his senior season in 2001.<ref name="ncaarecordsbook">''2011 NCAA Football Records Book'', [http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2011/Awards.pdf  Award Winners], National Collegiate Athletic Association, Indianapolis, Indiana, p. 11 (2011).  Retrieved June 24, 2012.</ref> He finished 9th in the final [[Heisman Trophy]] voting.<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Heisman Trophy Top 10 Announced |url=https://www.heisman.com/articles/2024-heisman-trophy-top-10-announced/ |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=[[Heisman Trophy]] |date=14 December 2024}}</ref>

While attending Syracuse at a then 255-pounds, Freeney was clocked at 4.40 seconds during his 40-yard dash, and recorded 40-inch vertical jump. His 40-yard time remains among the fastest ever recorded for a defensive lineman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2014 |title=Fastest 40 Yard Dash - Freelap USA |url=https://www.freelapusa.com/fastest-40-yard-dash/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=Freelap USA |language=en-US}}</ref>

Freeney still returns to Syracuse for his summer workouts, and serves as mentor to Syracuse players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahme |first=Dave |date=August 13, 2009 |title=Syracuse University football team gets strength and conditioning blast from the past |url=http://blog.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2009/08/syracuse_university_football_t_8.html |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=syracuse.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Freeney was inducted into the 2023 class of [[College Football Hall of Fame]], becoming the 10th Syracuse player to be selected for the honor.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leiker |first1=Emily |title=Freeney becomes 10th SU player selected to College Football HOF |url=https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2023/01/dwight-freeney-becomes-10th-syracuse-player-selected-to-college-football-hall-of-fame.html |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=[[Syracuse Post-Standard]] |date=January 9, 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=NFF Announces Star-Studded 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class |url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2023/1/9/general-nff-announces-star-studded-2023-college-football-hall-of-fame-class.aspx |access-date=February 26, 2023 |work=[[National Football Foundation]] |date=January 9, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

==Professional career==

{{nfl predraft
|    height ft = 6
|    height in = 0 7/8
|       weight = 266
|         dash = 4.48
|    ten split =
| twenty split =
|      shuttle =
|   cone drill =
|     vertical = 37.0
|     broad ft =
|     broad in =
|        bench = 28
|    wonderlic =
|     arm span = 32 1/8
|    hand span = 10
|         note = All values from [[NFL Combine]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?f=Dwight&l=Freeney&i=5925 |title=Dwight Freeney, Combine Results, DE - Syracuse |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=August 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Iyer | first=Vinnie | title=NFL Combine: 16 best performances in Combine history | website=Sporting News | date=2019-03-04 | url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-combine-16-best-performances-in-combine-history/1c4qhb1fl0xj31n7ndv5ugvz7h | access-date=2024-07-24}}</ref>
}}

===Indianapolis Colts===
Freeney was selected by the [[Indianapolis Colts]] with the 11th selection in the [[2002 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2002/draft.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> When drafted by Indianapolis at 270&nbsp;lbs, Freeney was clocked at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash and the same 40 inch vertical jump.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Freeman |first=Mike |date=April 14, 2002 |title=PRO FOOTBALL: INSIDE THE N.F.L.; Draft Mavens Are Buzzing About Freeney |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/14/sports/pro-football-inside-the-nfl-draft-mavens-are-buzzing-about-freeney.html |access-date=December 29, 2017 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Freeney set an NFL rookie record in 2002 with nine forced fumbles, three of which occurred in a single game against former Syracuse football player, [[Donovan McNabb]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stankevitz |first=JJ |date=January 4, 2023 |title=Colts Greats Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne Selected As Finalists For Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 |url=https://www.colts.com/news/dwight-freeney-reggie-wayne-pro-football-hall-of-fame-finalists-class-2023 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Colts.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Freeney was the runner up for the [[NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year]] award to Julius Peppers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 Awards Voting |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/awards_2002.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2002.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2004, Freeney's third season, he led the NFL with 16 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Defense |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/defense.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> At the end of his third season, Freeney's season marked him as the 3rd fastest player to achieve 40 sacks. He developed a spin move which became his trademark pass rush move.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crumpacker |first=John |date=October 31, 2009 |title=Smallish pass-rush duo creates big problems |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Smallish-pass-rush-duo-creates-big-problems-3213079.php |access-date=October 31, 2009}}</ref> He was named to his second Pro Bowl and earned first team All-Pro honors for his performance in the 2004 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/probowl.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2004 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2004/allpro.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2006, Freeney helped the Colts defeat the [[2006 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] in [[Super Bowl XLI]] to become NFL Champions. He had a fumble recovery in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLI - Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears - February 4th, 2007 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200702040chi.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:VICKpb.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Freeney attempts to sack [[Michael Vick]] at the [[2006 Pro Bowl]].]]
On February 19, 2007, the Colts placed the [[franchise tag]] on Freeney following the expiration of his rookie contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael |date=February 19, 2007 |title=Indianapolis gives defensive end Freeney franchise tag |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2771491 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> This move allowed [[Bill Polian]] and the Colts front office time to work on a long-term contract.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |website=[[NFL.com]] |url=http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/IND/10007910 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221210739/http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/IND/10007910 |archive-date=February 21, 2007 |access-date=February 19, 2007}}</ref> On July 13, 2007, Freeney signed a six-year, $72&nbsp;million contract with $30&nbsp;million in guarantees making Freeney one of the highest paid defensive players in the NFL.<ref name="go">{{Cite web |title=ESPN - Freeney's deal cap friendly for 2007, 2008 - NFL |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2944823 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=[[ESPN]]| date=July 22, 2007 }}</ref>

Freeney was fined $20,000 by the NFL for his expletive-laced interview following the end of the Colts 2008–09 playoff campaign which ended with a 23–17 overtime playoff loss to the [[San Diego Chargers]] in the Wild Card Round.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers - January 3rd, 2009 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200901030sdg.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The NFL cited Freeney for making "inappropriate comments on officiating," according to the [[Indianapolis Star]]. Freeney, frustrated by the three defensive penalties incurred as the Chargers made their game-winning drive, told Yahoo! Sports after the game: "Those were the worst fucking calls I've seen in a long time ... To have a game of that magnitude taken out of your hands, it's just disgusting. It's not like they made one fucking bad call -- it's three calls, in overtime ... They need to start investigating some other shit."<ref name="go2">{{Cite web |title=NFL fines Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney $20,000 for inappropriate comments |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs2008/news/story?id=3823511 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=[[ESPN]]| date=January 10, 2009 }}</ref>

For his performance in the 2009 season, Freeney earned his fifth Pro Bowl appearance and earned first team All-Pro honors for the third time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/probowl.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2009/allpro.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He was ranked 15th by his fellow players on the [[NFL Top 100 Players of 2011]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2011 NFL Top 100 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/2011-nfl-top-100.htm |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2012, Freeney converted from defensive end to outside linebacker under new head coach [[Chuck Pagano]].<ref name="rotoworld">{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney - Detroit Lions - 2017 Player Profile |url=http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1517/dwight-freeney |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=Rotoworld.com}}</ref><ref name="t165">{{cite web | last=Silva | first=Evan | title=Freeney: "I'm not like LeBron trying to leave the team" | website=NBC Sports | date=2012-05-05 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/freeney-im-not-like-lebron-trying-to-leave-the-team | access-date=2024-09-07}}</ref> Due to injury and not adjusting to his position-change well, Freeney struggled and finished the season with only five sacks and 12 tackles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

On February 15, 2013, Freeney was told he would not be re-signed by the Colts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2013 |title=Report: Colts release Dwight Freeney, Austin Collie |url=http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/15/colts-release-dwight-freeney-austin-collie/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217150200/http://tracking.si.com/2013/02/15/colts-release-dwight-freeney-austin-collie/ |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |access-date=February 15, 2013 |publisher=SI.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=February 15, 2013 |title=Report: Colts won't re-sign Dwight Freeney, Austin Collie |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/15/report-colts-wont-re-sign-dwight-freeney-austin-collie/ |access-date=February 16, 2013 |publisher=NBCSports.com}}</ref> Freeney left as the all-time franchise leader in sacks with 107.5, but was surpassed by former teammate [[Robert Mathis]] the next season. Mathis would also break Freeney's franchise season record of 16 sacks the following season, too, when he tallied 19.5.

===San Diego Chargers===
On May 18, 2013, Freeney signed a two-year deal with the [[San Diego Chargers]].<ref name="nfl">{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney, San Diego Chargers agree on contract |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/dwight-freeney-san-diego-chargers-agree-on-contract-0ap1000000204165 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> During the 2013 season, Freeney suffered a season-ending quad injury against the Dallas Cowboys in week 4 and recorded a career low with 0.5 sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corbett |first=Jim |date=September 30, 2013 |title=Chargers lose Dwight Freeney to torn quad |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/chargers/2013/09/30/linebacker-dwight-freeney-torn-quad-week-4/2895773/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2013 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2013/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

In 2014, Freeney looked to bounce back from the previous year and did. Throughout the season, Freeney was only used as a pass rush specialist coming out only on passing downs. Against the [[Seattle Seahawks]] Freeney sacked [[Russell Wilson]], which contributed to a Chargers victory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers - September 14th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409140sdg.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The next week, Freeney got a sack against the [[Buffalo Bills]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Buffalo Bills - September 21st, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409210buf.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Against the 49ers, Dwight Freeney and [[Ricardo Mathews]] sacked and forced a [[Colin Kaepernick]] fumble leading to a Chargers touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers - December 20th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412200sfo.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The next week recorded one sack against [[Chase Daniel]] and the Chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs - December 28th, 2014 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201412280kan.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Freeney finished the season with 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflect.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Arizona Cardinals===
On October 12, 2015, Freeney signed a one-year, $870,000 deal with the [[Arizona Cardinals]], with the incentive to receive a $200,000 bonus with four sacks and then would receive $100,000 for each sack thereafter, with a maximum of 12.<ref name="go3">{{Cite web |last=Mortensen |first=Chris |author-link=Chris Mortensen |date=October 12, 2015 |title=Arizona Cardinals add pass-rusher Dwight Freeney |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13871647/arizona-cardinals-add-pass-rusher-dwight-freeney |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Freeney was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for week 16, in which he had three sacks and a forced fumble, the first time he had three sacks in a game since 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals - December 27th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201512270crd.htm |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Coincidentally, former Colts teammate [[Robert Mathis]] won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the same week.<ref name="azcardinals">{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney Earns NFC Honor |url=http://m.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Dwight-Freeney-Earns-NFC-Honor/0f1905ef-5a61-4e61-a870-136ab0a2008f |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201080753/http://m.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Dwight-Freeney-Earns-NFC-Honor/0f1905ef-5a61-4e61-a870-136ab0a2008f |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 23, 2017 |website=m.azcardinals.com }}</ref> Freeney appeared in nine games during the 2015 season, totaling 8.0 sacks (leading the team) and three forced fumbles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2015/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Arizona Cardinals Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/crd/2015.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Atlanta Falcons===
[[File:Dwight Freeney 2016.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Freeney with the Falcons in 2016]]
On August 2, 2016, Freeney signed a one-year deal with the [[Atlanta Falcons]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2016 |title=Falcons agree to terms with DE Dwight Freeney |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Agree-to-Terms-With-DE-Dwight-Freeney/15435dcd-65a6-4772-990f-7b42a8be936b |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803220944/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons-Agree-to-Terms-With-DE-Dwight-Freeney/15435dcd-65a6-4772-990f-7b42a8be936b |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref> He played in 15 games, totaling three sacks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2016/ |access-date=December 29, 2017 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Falcons won the [[NFC Championship]] to advance to [[Super Bowl LI]], bringing Freeney to his third career Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 Atlanta Falcons Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2016.htm |access-date=August 6, 2017 |website=[[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]}}</ref> Freeney had one sack in the big game,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201702050atl.htm |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> although the Falcons lost to the Patriots by a score of 34–28.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chadiha |first=Jeffri |date=February 5, 2017 |title=Falcons' historic collapse leads to Patriots' fifth Super Bowl win |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-historic-collapse-leads-to-patriots-fifth-super-bowl-wi-0ap3000000783872 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Seattle Seahawks===
On October 24, 2017, Freeney signed a one-year deal with the [[Seattle Seahawks]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=October 24, 2017 |title=Seahawks Agree To Terms With Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney |url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/10/24/seahawks-agree-terms-pro-bowl-de-dwight-freeney |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}</ref> After playing in four games recording three sacks, Freeney was released by the Seahawks on November 21, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=John |date=November 21, 2017 |title=Seahawks Waive Defensive End Dwight Freeney |url=http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/11/21/seahawks-waive-defensive-end-dwight-freeney |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202015338/http://www.seahawks.com/news/2017/11/21/seahawks-waive-defensive-end-dwight-freeney |archive-date=February 2, 2018 |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Seahawks.com}}</ref>

===Detroit Lions===
On November 22, 2017, Freeney was claimed off waivers by the [[Detroit Lions]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2017 |title=Lions awarded DE Dwight Freeney via waivers from Seattle |url=https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-awarded-de-dwight-freeney-via-waivers-from-seattle-19824292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125084926/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/news-short/article-1/Lions-awarded-DE-Dwight-Freeney-via-waivers-from-Seattle/ccf429b5-4bd9-454f-a2e9-5a64d13e422b |archive-date=November 25, 2017 |access-date=November 22, 2017 |website=DetroitLions.com}}</ref> He played in five games with the team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dwight Freeney 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Retirement===
Freeney announced his retirement on April 19, 2018, after signing a ceremonial one-day contract with the Colts to retire as a member of the team he spent the majority of his career with.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker, Andrew |date=April 19, 2018 |title=Dwight Freeney Calling It A Career; Will Retire As A Colt |url=http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Dwight-Freeney-Calling-It-A-Career-Will-Retire-As-A-Colt/5abba383-6f99-4187-8e62-397b88500e95 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423020125/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Dwight-Freeney-Calling-It-A-Career-Will-Retire-As-A-Colt/5abba383-6f99-4187-8e62-397b88500e95 |archive-date=April 23, 2018 |access-date=April 19, 2018 |website=Colts.com }}</ref> On February 8, 2024, Freeney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Andrew |date=February 8, 2024 |title=Colts' Legendary Pass Rusher Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/dwight-freeney-colts-hall-of-fame-2024 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en}}</ref>

==Administrator career==
On April 11, 2025, Freeney joined his alma mater [[Syracuse Orange football|Syracuse]] to serve as the Director of player development.<ref>{{Cite web|title= HALL OF FAMER AND ORANGE LEGEND DWIGHT FREENEY ADDED TO FOOTBALL STAFF|url= https://cuse.com/news/2025/4/11/hall-of-famer-and-orange-legend-dwight-freeney-added-to-football-staff|access-date=August 15, 2025|website=cuse.com }}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|-
! colspan="3"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="4"| Tackles
! colspan="4"| Fumbles
! colspan="6"| Interceptions
|-
! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|GS|Games started}} !! {{abbr|Cmb|Combined tackles}} !! {{abbr|Solo|Solo tackles}} !! {{abbr|Ast|Assisted tackles}} !! {{abbr|Sck|Sacks}} !! {{abbr|FF|Forced fumbles}} !! {{abbr|FR|Fumble recoveries}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Fumble return yards}} !! {{abbr|TD|Fumbles returned for touchdown}} !! {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} !! {{abbr|Yds|Interception return yards}} !! {{abbr|Avg|Average interception return}} !! {{abbr|Lng|Longest interception return}} !! {{abbr|TD|Interceptions returned for touchdown}} !! {{abbr|PD|Passes defensed}}
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] || [[2002 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 8 || '''46''' || '''45''' || 1 || 13.0 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''9''' || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] || [[2003 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 15 || 13 || 34 || 29 || 5 || 11.0 || 4 || '''2''' || '''23''' || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''1''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] || [[2004 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 16 || 36 || 33 || 3 || style="background:#cfecec;"| '''16.0''' || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''3'''
|- 
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] || [[2005 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 13 || 42 || 36 || '''6''' || 11.0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || '''3'''
|- 
! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] || style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[2006 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 16 || 29 || 26 || 3 || 5.5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] || [[2007 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 9 || 9 || 21 || 18 || 3 || 3.5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] || [[2008 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 15 || 14 || 28 || 24 || 4 || 10.5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] || [[2009 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 14 || 9 || 24 || 19 || 5 || 13.5 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] || [[2010 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 16 || 25 || 21 || 4 || 10.0 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0|| 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 2
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] || [[2011 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 16 || 15 || 19 || 13 || '''6''' || 8.5 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0  || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2012 NFL season|2012]] || [[2012 Indianapolis Colts season|IND]]
| 14 || 14 || 12 || 10 || 2 || 5.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2013 NFL season|2013]] || [[2013 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 4 || 4 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2014 NFL season|2014]] || [[2014 San Diego Chargers season|SD]]
| 16 || 9 || 10 || 6 || 4 || 3.5 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2015 NFL season|2015]] || [[2015 Arizona Cardinals season|ARI]]
| 11 || 0 || 9 || 8 || 1 || 8.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[2016 NFL season|2016]] || [[2016 Atlanta Falcons season|ATL]]
| 15 || 1 || 10 || 7 || 3 || 3.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! rowspan="2"|[[2017 NFL season|2017]] || [[2017 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 4 || 0 || 3 || 3 || 0 || 3.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 1
|-
! [[2017 Detroit Lions season|DET]]
| 5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/F/FreeDw00.htm Total] || 218 || 157 || 350 || 299 || 51 || 125.5 || 47 || 4 || 23 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 16
|}

==Personal life==
On March 28, 2012, Freeney's financial advisor was arrested and charged with embezzling $2.2&nbsp;million from Freeney.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Andrew |date=March 28, 2012 |title=What Really Happened In The Scheme That Cost Dwight Freeney Millions? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/agoodman/2015/07/27/what-really-happened-in-the-scheme-that-cost-dwight-freeney-millions/ |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> In 2015, Freeney sued [[Bank of America]] for $20&nbsp;million, claiming he trusted the bank's wealth management division with the assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gantt |first=Darin |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Dwight Freeney suing Bank of America for $20 million |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dwight-freeney-suing-bank-of-america-for-20-million |access-date=October 8, 2023 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Jed |date=July 17, 2015 |title=U.S. judge dismisses NFL star's $20 million case against Bank of America |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bank-of-america-nfl-lawsuit-idUSKCN0PR25R20150717|access-date=September 5, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Profootballhof|dwight-freeney}}
* {{College Football HoF|2505}}
* {{Footballstats |pfr=FreeDw00|yahoo=5897|espn=3539}}
* [http://www.suathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1511  Syracuse Orange bio]

{{2001 NCAA Division I-A College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{2002 NFL Draft}}
{{Indianapolis Colts 2002 draft navbox}}
{{ColtsFirstPick}}
{{Super Bowl XLI}}
{{Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor}}
{{NFL sack leaders}}
{{100 sacks club}}
{{NFL2000s}}
{{NFL forced fumbles annual leaders}}
{{2024 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeney, Dwight}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bloomfield, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Hartford County, Connecticut]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Hartford, Connecticut]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:American football linebackers]]
[[Category:Syracuse Orange football players]]
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
[[Category:Indianapolis Colts players]]
[[Category:San Diego Chargers players]]
[[Category:Arizona Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Falcons players]]
[[Category:Seattle Seahawks players]]
[[Category:Detroit Lions players]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:Bloomfield High School (Connecticut) alumni]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Syracuse Orange football coaches]]