View source for London Fletcher

{{Short description|American football player (born 1975)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name          = London Fletcher
| image         = London Fletcher 2022 (cropped).jpg
| alt           = London Fletcher
| caption       = Fletcher in 2022
| number        = 59
| position      = [[Linebacker]]
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1975|5|19|mf=yes}}
| birth_place   = [[Cleveland, Ohio]], U.S.
| height_ft     = 5
| height_in     = 10
| weight_lb     = 242
| high_school   = [[Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School|Villa Angela-St. Joseph]] (Cleveland)
| college       = [[John Carroll Blue Streaks football|John Carroll]] (1995–1997)
| undraftedyear = 1998
| pastteams     =
* [[St. Louis Rams]] ({{NFL Year|1998|2001}})
* [[Buffalo Bills]] ({{NFL Year|2002|2006}})
* [[Washington Redskins]] ({{NFL Year|2007|2013}})
| highlights    =
* [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXIV|XXXIV]])
* 2× Second-team [[All-Pro]] ([[2011 All-Pro Team|2011]], [[2012 All-Pro Team|2012]])
* 4× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[2010 Pro Bowl|2009]]–[[2013 Pro Bowl|2012]])
* [[Bart Starr Award]] (2012)
* [[Washington Commanders Ring of Fame]]
* [[90 Greatest Commanders]]
| statlabel1    = [[Tackle (football move)|Tackle]]s
| statvalue1    = 2,032
| statlabel2    = [[Quarterback sack|Sack]]s
| statvalue2    = 39.0
| statlabel3    = Forced [[fumble]]s
| statvalue3    = 19
| statlabel4    = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4    = 12
| statlabel5    = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue5    = 23
| statlabel6    = [[Touchdown]]s
| statvalue6    = 3
| pfr           = FletLo20
| CollegeHOF    = 2435 
}}

'''London Levi Fletcher-Baker''' (born May 19, 1975) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[linebacker]] for 16 seasons in the [[National Football League]] (NFL).  He played [[college football]] for the [[John Carroll Blue Streaks football|John Carroll Blue Streaks]] and signed with the [[St. Louis Rams]] as an [[undrafted free agent]] in 1998. After four seasons with the Rams, he was a member of the [[Buffalo Bills]] for five seasons and spent his last seven seasons with the [[Washington Redskins]]. He won [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] with the Rams in 1999 and made four [[Pro Bowl]]s during his Redskins tenure.

Fletcher never missed a game due to injury in his career, being [[List of most consecutive starts and games played by National Football League players#Consecutive games played|one of only five players in NFL history to play in over 250 consecutive games]]<ref name="Fletcher joins NFL's elite 250 club">{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Fletcher joins NFL's elite 250 club |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/18/fletcher-joins-nfls-elite-250-club/}}</ref> and holding the record for most consecutive starts at linebacker.<ref name="Fletcher joins NFL's elite 250 club" /> He finished his career with 215 consecutive games started, which ties him for seventh all-time along with [[Alan Page]] and [[Ronde Barber]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yasinskas |first=Pat |date=September 5, 2011 |title=Ronde Barber may move to No. 1 |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/24594/ronde-barber-may-move-to-no-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610231323/http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/24594/ronde-barber-may-move-to-no-1 |archive-date=June 10, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Jarrett |date=October 24, 2012 |title=Balance problem puts Redskins LB London Fletcher's streak in doubt |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2012/10/24/london-fletcher-washington-redskins-linebacker-balance-nfl-streak-in-jeopardy/1655223/ |access-date=October 28, 2012 |work=USAToday.com}}</ref> He was named to the Washington's Ring of Fame in 2019 and joined their radio broadcast crew in 2022. He is the current color commentator for the Washington Commanders radio broadcast team.

==Early life==
Fletcher attended [[Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]], and won varsity letters in [[high school football|football]] and [[basketball]]. He played on two state championship basketball teams.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}

==College career==
While attending [[John Carroll University]], Fletcher played both basketball and football for the John Carroll Blue Streaks. As a senior, he had 202 tackles (a school-record) and was named the Division III National Linebacker of the Year. Fletcher also attended [[Saint Francis University (Pennsylvania)|Saint Francis University]] of Pennsylvania before transferring to John Carroll University. He was on the men's basketball team while at Saint Francis.

==Professional career==
Fletcher attended the [[NFL Scouting Combine]] and ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. He worked out for several NFL teams and was expected to be a day 2 selection, but was not one of the 30 linebackers drafted during the [[1998 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2006 |title=Bills' Fletcher Relishes His Role as an Undersized Iron Man |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/sports/football/08bills.html |access-date=January 14, 2019 |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref>

===St. Louis Rams===
====1998====
On April 28, 1998, the [[St. Louis Rams]] signed Fletcher to a one-year, $158,000 contract as an [[undrafted free agent]].<ref name="spotrac">{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: London Fletcher contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/washington-redskins/london-fletcher-2801/ |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref>
He made his professional regular season debut in the [[1998 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams’]] season-opening 24–17 loss against the [[1998 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]. On December 27, 1998, Fletcher earned his first career start after [[Eric Hill (American football)|Eric Hill]] sustained an injury. He made eight solo tackles on defense and seven special teams tackles as the Rams lost 38–19 at the [[1998 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in a Week 17.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 26, 2000 |title=Don't Sell Him Short: Ram MLB Fletcher the Little Engine that Could |url=https://nypost.com/2000/01/26/dont-sell-him-short-ram-mlb-fletcher-the-little-engine-that-could/ |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=nypost.com}}</ref> Fletcher earned the [[St. Louis Rams awards#Carroll Rosenbloom Memorial Award|Rams Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref name="Washington Redskins Bio">{{Cite web |title=Bio on Washington website |url=http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/London-Fletcher/60763fd2-a715-440c-91e6-3260a250ec2e |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024121409/http://www.redskins.com/team/roster/london-fletcher/60763fd2-a715-440c-91e6-3260a250ec2e/ |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> He finished the season with 14 combined tackles (11 solo) in 16 games and one start.<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Fletcher Game by Game stats and Performance |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/1680/type/nfl/year/1998 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

====1999====
Throughout training camp, Fletcher competed against [[Charlie Clemons]] and [[Lorenzo Styles]] to be the starting middle linebacker after the Rams chose not to re-sign Eric Hill.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2000 |title=SUPER BOWL XXXIV: RAMS VS. TITANS; Little Big Man |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/30/sports/super-bowl-xxxiv-rams-vs-titans-little-big-man.html |access-date=January 14, 2019 |newspaper=New York Times}}</ref> Head coach [[Dick Vermeil]] named Fletcher the starting middle linebacker to begin the regular season, alongside outside linebacker [[Todd Collins (linebacker)|Todd Collins]] and [[Mike Jones (linebacker)|Mike Jones]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 St. Louis Rams Starters, Roster, & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/1999_roster.htm |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref>

On October 3, 1999, Fletcher collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (nine solo) and made his first career sack during a 38–10 win at the [[1999 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] in Week 3. Fletcher sacked Bengals’ quarterback [[Jeff Blake]] for a ten-yard loss during the third quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals – October 3rd, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199910030cin.htm |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 9, Fletcher recorded five combined tackles and earned his first career safety during a 31–27 loss at the [[1999 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]. Fletcher earned his safety by tackling running back [[Greg Hill (running back)|Greg Hill]] in the endzone for a one-yard loss during the first quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions – November 7th, 1999 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199911070det.htm |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> Fletcher started in all 16 games in [[1999 NFL season|1999]] and recorded a total of 138 tackles on defense and special teams combined. His 138 tackles were the most by a Ram since [[Roman Phifer]] collected 149 tackles in [[1995 NFL season|1995]].<ref name="Washington Redskins Bio" /> Fletcher recorded 90 combined tackles (66 solo), with three sacks, and one safety on defense.<ref name="espn9">{{Cite web |title=London Fletcher Game by Game Stats and Performance (1999) |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/1680/type/nfl/year/1999 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

The [[1999 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams]] finished first in the [[NFC West]] with a 13–3 record and earned a first round bye. On January 16, 2000, Fletcher started in his first career playoff game and recorded 11 combined tackles (eight solo) and made one sack during a 49–37 victory against the [[1999 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] in the NFC Divisional Round. The following week, he made nine combined tackles as the Rams defeated the [[1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] 11–6 in the NFC Championship Game. On January 30, 2000, Fletcher started in [[Super Bowl XXXIV]] and recorded 11 combined tackles (nine solo) as the Rams defeated the [[1999 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]] 23–16.<ref name="espn9" /> He also was named to the All-Madden team and as a second alternate to the Pro Bowl for the first time.

====2000====
On February 2, 2000, St. Louis Rams’ head coach Dick Vermeil announced his decision to retire. The St. Louis Rams promoted offensive coordinator [[Mike Martz]] to head coach.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eskenazi |first=Gerald |date=February 2, 2000 |title=PRO FOOTBALL; Tearful Vermeil Goes our on top |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/02/sports/pro-football-tearful-vermeil-goes-out-on-top.html |access-date=January 14, 2019 |work=New York Times}}</ref> Martz retained Fletcher, Collins, and Jones as the starting linebackers. He started in the [[2000 St. Louis Rams season|St. Louis Rams’]] against the [[2000 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] and collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (nine solo) and made two sacks during their 41–36 victory. On November 12, 2000, Fletcher made six solo tackles, forced a fumble, and made his first career interception during a 38–24 at the [[2000 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] in Week 11. Fletcher intercepted a pass by Giants’ [[Kerry Collins]], that was intended for wide receiver [[Ike Hilliard]], and returned it for a 12-yard gain during the third quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=St. Louis Rams at New York Giants – November 12th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200011120nyg.htm |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 13, Fletcher recorded seven combined tackles, was credited with half a sack, and made a season-high two interceptions during a 31–24 loss against the [[2000 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]. He made both interceptions off pass attempts by Saints’ quarterback [[Aaron Brooks (American football)|Aaron Brooks]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams – November 26th, 2000 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200011260ram.htm |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]]}}</ref> In Week 15, he recorded ten combined tackles (nine solo) and two sacks during a 40–29 victory against the [[2000 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]. His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.<ref name="Washington Redskins Bio" /> He led the team with 193 tackles on defense and special teams, eclipsing the old franchise mark of 185 set by LB [[Jim Collins (linebacker)|Jim Collins]] in 1984. Fletcher recorded 132 combined tackles (105 solo) solely  on defense and made four interceptions and 5.5 sacks in 16 games and 15 starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Fletcher Game by Game stats and Performance (2000) |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/1680/type/nfl/year/2000 |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

====2001====
In 2001, Fletcher earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was an alternate to the pro bowl for the third straight season. In a game against the [[San Francisco 49ers]] on September 23, he led the team with a career-high 21 tackles, 15 solo. The second time was after his big performance against the [[New England Patriots]] on November 18 as he led the team with 17 tackles with one pass deflection. He forced a fumble on the Rams’ three-yard line that led to a 97-yard scoring drive to end the first half and intercepted a [[Tom Brady]] pass with 5:18 left in the third quarter for an 18-yard return.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Post Game- St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots- 2001 Week 10 |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter?game_id=17826&displayPage=tab_gamecenter&season=2001&seasonType=REG&week=10 |website=[[NFL.com]]}}</ref> This season, the Rams made the [[Super Bowl XXXVI]] but were defeated by the Patriots 20–17, after kicker [[Adam Vinatieri]] made a game-winning 48-yard field goal as time expired.

===Buffalo Bills===
On March 6, 2002, the [[Buffalo Bills]] signed Fletcher to a five-year, $17.12 million [[contract]] that includes a [[signing bonus]] of $4 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2002 |title=Bills get Fletcher to fill void of Cowart'a departure |url=http://a.espncdn.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1346675.html |access-date=January 14, 2019 |website=espncdn.com}}</ref>

Starting in 2002, Fletcher started all 16 regular season games for the Bills until his last season in 2006, when he recorded a team-high 157 tackles, including nine for loss, set a career-high with 14 deflections and tied a career-high with four interceptions. On September 10, in the first regular season game, Fletcher scored his first career touchdown after recovering a fumble by the Patriots' [[Tom Brady]] and returning it five yards for a touchdown only 12 seconds into the game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL.com |url=https://www.nfl.com/scores/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021055641/http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/boxscore?game_id=28868&displayPage=tab_box_score&season=2006&week=REG1 |archive-date=October 21, 2007 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> Fletcher was named a [[2007 Pro Bowl]] alternate in his last season as a member of the Bills.

===Washington Redskins===
[[File:London Fletcher.JPG|left|thumb|Fletcher in 2012]]
On March 2, 2007, Fletcher signed with the [[Washington Redskins]] to a five-year, $25 million contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2007 |title=Redskins Sign LB London Fletcher |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/redskins-sign-lb-london-fletcher-3454826 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119012513/http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Fletcher_Signs_With_Redskins_4577.jsp |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Husband |first=Casey |date=March 4, 2007 |title=In Fletcher, A 'Quarterback' For the Defense |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/in-fletcher-a-quarterback-for-the-defense-3454798 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119015225/http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/In_Fletcher__A__Quarterback__For_the_Defense_4584.jsp |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref> He immediately became the team's starting [[middle linebacker]]. With his first season on the team, he was named co-winner of the B.J. Blanchard Award, an honor given annually to a Redskins player who best helps the local media do their jobs, along with quarterback [[Jason Campbell]].<ref name="Washington Redskins Bio" /> Fletcher continued his Pro Bowl-caliber run with the Redskins in 2008.
{{quote box
|align=right
|width=100%
|quote="I think he's one of the most underrated players in the league. Pound for pound, you can't measure the way he plays and what he means to that team."
|source=–[[Lawyer Milloy]]
<br />Former [[2006 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills’ teammate]]
}}
He was the Redskins' [[NFL captains|defensive co-captain]] for the team from [[2008 NFL season|2008 season]] until he retired.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blog.redskins.com/2008/10/03/portrait-of-the-captains-as-young-men-or-gangsters-or-maybe-deacons/|title=The Redskins Blog  &#124; Portrait of the Captains as Young Men, or Gangsters, or Maybe Deacons|accessdate=March 1, 2025}}</ref> Also in 2008, the Redskins nominated Fletcher as their [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]] representative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 29, 2008 |title=Fletcher Wins Redskins' Community Honor |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/fletcher-wins-redskins-community-honor-3454263 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119010524/http://www.redskins.com/gen/articles/Fletcher_Wins_Redskins__Community_Honor_29972.jsp |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref>

Fletcher was named to the NFC squad in the [[2010 Pro Bowl]] after [[Jonathan Vilma]]'s [[New Orleans Saints]] qualified for [[Super Bowl XLIV]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2010 |title=London Fletcher finally makes it to the Pro Bowl |url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/25/london-fletcher-finally-makes-it-to-the-pro-bowl/}}</ref> the first Pro Bowl selection in his career. Fletcher was also one of three candidates for the 2009 [[Walter Payton Man of the Year Award]], which was ultimately won by the [[Kansas City Chiefs]]'s [[Brian Waters]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilson: Brian Waters named NFL Man of the Year &#124; National Football Post |url=http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Wilson-Brian-Waters-named-NFL-Man-of-the-Year.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721125508/http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Wilson-Brian-Waters-named-NFL-Man-of-the-Year.html |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=October 22, 2011}}</ref>

After the Redskins' switch to a [[3–4 defense|3–4 defensive scheme]], Fletcher moved from the [[middle linebacker]] position to the left [[inside linebacker]] for the [[2010 NFL season|2010 season]]. He made the [[Pro Bowl]] for the second consecutive time in 2010, where he had an interception which set up a touchdown for the NFC.

Despite not making the [[2012 Pro Bowl]] starting roster, Fletcher led the entire league in tackles with 166 tackles by the end of the 2011 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=January 2, 2012 |title=London Fletcher ends season as NFL's leading tackler |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/london-fletcher-ends-season-as-nfls-leading-tackler/2012/01/01/gIQAbQ8VVP_blog.html |access-date=January 2, 2012 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> He started all 16 games of the [[2011 NFL season|2011 season]] and recorded 166 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. Fletcher, however, did make it as alternate for the 2012 Pro Bowl along with teammates, [[Brian Orakpo]] and [[Lorenzo Alexander]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maese |first=Rick |date=December 28, 2011 |title=London Fletcher among Redskins' Pro Bowl alternates |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/london-fletcher-among-redskins-pro-bowl-alternates/2011/12/28/gIQAMoFYMP_blog.html |access-date=December 28, 2011 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> On January 9, 2012, Fletcher was added to the NFC 2012 Pro Bowl roster after [[Brian Urlacher]] confirmed that he would not be participating.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2012 |title=London Fletcher will play in Pro Bowl |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfceast/post/_/id/35060/london-fletcher-will-play-in-pro-bowl |access-date=January 9, 2012 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
On January 11, 2012, it was announced that Fletcher won the [[Bart Starr Award]].<ref>{{Cite news |title='Skins London Fletcher nabs Bart Starr Award for character, leadership |url=http://gantdaily.com/2012/01/11/skins-london-fletcher-nabs-bart-starr-award-for-character-leadership/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011035007/http://gantdaily.com/2012/01/11/skins-london-fletcher-nabs-bart-starr-award-for-character-leadership/ |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=January 11, 2012 |work=GantDaily.com}}</ref> He was also named the Redskins' 2011 Defensive Player of the Year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=August 24, 2012 |title=Fred Davis, London Fletcher, Lorenzo Alexander named Redskins' 2011 players of the year |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/fred-davis-london-fletcher-lorenzo-alexander-named-redskins-2011-players-of-the-year/2012/08/24/09696d38-ee16-11e1-afd8-097e90f99d05_blog.html |access-date=August 24, 2012 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

[[File:Fletcher 2013 probowl.JPG|thumb|Fletcher on the sidelines at the [[2013 Pro Bowl]].]]
On April 13, 2012, Fletcher was re-signed by the Redskins to a two-year contract worth $10.75 million with $5.25 million guaranteed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Rich |date=April 13, 2012 |title=Redskins retain team captain London Fletcher |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/13/redskins-re-sign-london-fletcher-team-captain-defe/ |access-date=April 13, 2012 |work=WashingtonTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2012 |title=Fletcher's 'Skins deal for two years, $10.75M |url=http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/04/16/fletchers-contract-with-skins-will-expire-in-two-years-worth-10-75m/ |access-date=April 16, 2012 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> He was given the 87th ranking in the [[NFL Top 100#2012|NFL Network's Top 100 Players of 2012 list]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 3, 2012 |title=Players Rank London Fletcher 87th Best Player in NFL |url=http://www.hogshaven.com/2012/5/3/2995559/players-rank-london-fletcher-87th-best-player-in-nfl}}</ref> Despite the Redskins' 31–28 loss to the [[St. Louis Rams]] in Week 2 of the [[2012 NFL season|2012 season]], Fletcher had a stellar performance. In the game, he intercepted quarterback [[Sam Bradford]] in the endzone and forced running back [[Daryl Richardson]] to fumble in the fourth quarter and the ball was recovered by [[DeAngelo Hall]], which gave the Redskins one last attempt to tie or win the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=September 17, 2012 |title=Redskins-Rams: Week 2 Game Notes |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/redskins-rams-week-2-game-notes-8295120 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919021515/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Rams-Week-2-Game-Notes/26f8e81c-0b8f-4ce8-bea6-5bfc65b8fa07 |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Tracee |date=September 17, 2012 |title=It's official: NFL has problem with replacement refs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/its-official-nfl-has-problem-with-replacement-refs/2012/09/17/fab4b81c-00c4-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_story.html |access-date=September 17, 2012 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> In the Week 12 win against the [[Dallas Cowboys]] on Thanksgiving, he recorded his second interception for the season making him one of three active NFL players, at that time, to have recorded 20 interceptions and 30 sacks, the other two being [[Brian Urlacher]] and [[Ray Lewis]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=November 22, 2012 |title=Redskins Score Texas-Sized Win, 38–31 |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/redskins-score-texas-sized-win-38-31-8903556 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128051123/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Score-Texas-Sized-Win-38-31/9c63b942-5134-4b19-86b4-2703d32e217e |archive-date=November 28, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref>
Fletcher intercepted [[Joe Flacco]] in Week 14 against the [[Baltimore Ravens]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=December 10, 2012 |title=Monday Morning Stats Pack: Redskins-Ravens |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/monday-morning-stats-pack-redskins-ravens-9055659 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212070153/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Monday-Morning-Stats-Pack-Redskins-Ravens/24c2d86d-17d7-486d-b0fb-8166dba7ef27 |archive-date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=December 9, 2012 |title=Redskins Win Thriller In Overtime, 31–28 |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/redskins-win-thriller-in-overtime-31-28-9045634 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206010821/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Redskins-Win-Thriller-In-Overtime-31-28/17a0ad9a-545e-4f87-b75e-8a33181d8ac9 |archive-date=February 6, 2013 |access-date=December 10, 2012 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref> He had another interception, against [[Brandon Weeden]], in the Redskins' win over the [[Cleveland Browns]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=December 17, 2012 |title=Victory Monday Stats Pack: Redskins-Browns |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/victory-monday-stats-pack-redskins-browns-9120053 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219093537/http://www.redskins.com/news-and-events/article-1/Victory-Monday-Stats-Pack-Redskins-Browns/29736c66-3a7a-4c40-9be1-303021ec5b55 |archive-date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Redskins}}</ref> He finished the season with 139 tackles, three sacks, and a career-high five interceptions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=May 24, 2013 |title=Redskins' London Fletcher didn't seriously consider retirement |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2013/05/24/redskins-london-fletcher-didnt-seriously-considered-retirement/ |access-date=May 26, 2013 |work=WashingtonPost.com}}</ref>

There was doubt over whether Fletcher would return for the [[2013 NFL season|2013 season]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kogod |first=Sarah |date=February 20, 2013 |title=London Fletcher says he's still deciding whether to play next season |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/02/20/london-fletcher-says-hes-still-deciding-whether-to-play-next-season/ |access-date=March 9, 2013 |work=WashingtonPost.com}}</ref> until it was announced that he had surgery on his left ankle and was scheduled for elbow surgery to prepare for another season with the Redskins on March 6, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Copeland |first=Kareem |date=March 6, 2013 |title=London Fletcher preps for Washington Redskins return |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/london-fletcher-preps-for-washington-redskins-return-0ap1000000147312 |access-date=March 9, 2013 |website=NFL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=March 6, 2013 |title=London Fletcher undergoes ankle surgery, eyes return next season |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2013/03/06/fletcher-to-undergo-ankle-surgery-eyes-likely-return-next-season/ |access-date=March 9, 2013 |work=WashingtonPost.com}}</ref> On November 7, Fletcher started his 208th consecutive game, tying the league's all-time record of most starts by a linebacker last held by retired linebacker [[Derrick Brooks]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hiatt |first=Gabe |date=November 11, 2013 |title=A Look At Fletcher And Brooks |url=http://blog.redskins.com/2013/11/11/a-look-at-fletcher-and-brooks/ |access-date=November 11, 2013 |website=Redskins.com}}</ref>

On December 18, 2013, Fletcher announced his retirement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keim |first=John |date=December 18, 2013 |title=London Fletcher Likely To Retire |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/10158746/washington-redskins-lb-london-fletcher-likely-retire |access-date=January 1, 2014 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinsman |first=Brian |date=December 18, 2013 |title=London Fletcher: 'My Work Is Done Here' |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/london-fletcher-my-work-is-done-here-12197783 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref> Fletcher finished his career having [[List of most consecutive starts and games played by National Football League players#Consecutive games played|played in 256 consecutive games]] and [[List of most consecutive starts and games played by National Football League players#Linebackers|starting 215 consecutive games, which is the NFL all-time record of consecutive starts at the linebacker position]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Chase |date=December 28, 2013 |title=Fletcher Lasted Where Most Don't |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/28/sports/football/fletcher-lasted-where-most-dont.html?_r=0 |access-date=January 1, 2014 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He joined Washington's radio broadcast crew in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Manning |first=Bryan |date=April 22, 2022 |title=DeAngelo Hall stepping away from Commanders radio broadcast team |url=https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/21/deangelo-hall-stepping-away-from-the-washington-commanders-radio-broadcast-team-redskins-nfl-cornerback/ |access-date=April 29, 2022 |website=Washington Wire}}</ref> On September 1, 2022, Fletcher was inducted into Washington's Greatest Players list in honor of the franchise's 90th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Selby |first=Zach |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Commanders announce inductees to 'Greatest Players' list |url=https://www.commanders.com/news/commanders-announce-inductees-to-greatest-players-list |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Commanders.com}}</ref>

==Career awards and highlights==
*[[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXXIV|XXXIV]])
* 4× [[Pro Bowl]] selection ([[2010 Pro Bowl|2009]]–[[2013 Pro Bowl|2012]])
* 2× second-team [[All-Pro]] selection ([[2011 All-Pro Team|2011]], [[2012 All-Pro Team|2012]])
* [[National Football League|NFL]] [[Tackle (football move)|combined tackles leader]] ([[2011 NFL season|2011]])
* [[Bart Starr Award|Bart Starr Man of the Year Award]] (2012)
* [[Redskins Ring of Fame]] (2019)<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2019 |title=Redskins To Honor London Fletcher, Chris Samuels With Induction Into Team's Ring Of Fame |url=https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/redskins-to-honor-london-fletcher-chris-samuels-redskins-ring-of-fame-induction |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=Washington Football Team}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

=== Regular season ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" 
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year !! rowspan="2"| Team !! rowspan="2"| GP !! colspan="4"| Tackles !! colspan="3"| Fumbles !! colspan="6"| Interceptions
|-
! Comb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sack !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD 
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] !! [[1998 St. Louis Rams season|STL]] 
| 16 || 14 || 11 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1999 St. Louis Rams season|STL]] 
| 16 || 90 || 66 || 24 || 3.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 
|-
! [[2000 NFL season|2000]] !! [[2000 St. Louis Rams season|STL]] 
| 16 || 132 || '''105''' || 27 || '''5.5''' || 1 || 0 || 0 || 4 || 33 || 8 || 12 || 0 || 8 
|-
! [[2001 NFL season|2001]] !! [[2001 St. Louis Rams season|STL]] 
| 16 || 116 || 89 || 27 || 4.5 || '''4''' || 0 || 0 || 2 || 18 || 9 || 18 || 0 || 5 
|-
! [[2002 NFL season|2002]] !! [[2002 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]] 
| 16 || 147 || 97 || 50 || 3.0 || 2 || 2 || 20 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 
|-
! [[2003 NFL season|2003]] !! [[2003 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]] 
| 16 || 133 || 96 || 37 || 2.0 || 0 || 1 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 4 
|-
! [[2004 NFL season|2004]] !! [[2004 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]] 
| 16 || 142 || 92 || 50 || 3.5 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 3 
|-
! [[2005 NFL season|2005]] !! [[2005 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]] 
| 16 || 157 || 104 || 53 || 4.0 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 20 || '''20''' || 20 || 0 || 3 
|-
! [[2006 NFL season|2006]] !! [[2006 Buffalo Bills season|BUF]] 
| 16 || 146 || 104 || 42 || 2.0 || 0 || 1 || 5 || 4 || 30 || 8 || 17 || '''1''' || '''11'''
|-
! [[2007 NFL season|2007]] !! [[2007 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 129 || 100 || 28 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 6 || 3 || '''36''' || 12 || '''27''' || '''1''' || 10 
|-
! [[2008 NFL season|2008]] !! [[2008 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 133 || 96 || 37 || 0.5 || 1 || 1 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 6
|-
! [[2009 NFL season|2009]] !! [[2009 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 142 || 95 || 47 || 2.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 6 
|-
! [[2010 NFL season|2010]] !! [[2010 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 136 || 87 || 49 || 2.5 || 3 || '''3''' || −3 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''11''' 
|-
! [[2011 NFL season|2011]] !! [[2011 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || '''166''' || 96 || '''70''' || 1.5 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 8 
|-
! [[2012 NFL season|2012]] !! [[2012 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 139 || 78 || 61 || 3.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || '''5''' || 29 || 6 || 10 || 0 || '''11''' 
|-
! [[2013 NFL season|2013]] !! [[2013 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 16 || 111 || 63 || 48 || 2.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 2 
|-
! colspan="2"|Career !! 256 !! 2,032 !! 1,379 !! 653 !! 39.0 !! 20 !! 12 !! 43 !! 23 !! 168 !! 7 !! 27 !! 2 !! 92 
|}

=== Postseason ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" 
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year !! rowspan="2"| Team !! rowspan="2"| GP !! colspan="4"| Tackles !! colspan="3"| Fumbles !! colspan="6"| Interceptions
|-
! Comb !! Solo !! Ast !! Sack !! FF !! FR !! Yds !! Int !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! PD 
|-
! [[1999–2000 NFL playoffs|1999]] !! style="background:#afe6ba;"|[[1999 St. Louis Rams season|STL]] 
| '''3''' || '''31''' || '''24''' || 7 || '''1.0''' || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 
|- 
! [[2000–01 NFL playoffs|2000]] !! [[2000 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]  
| 1 || 8 || 5 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 
|- 
! [[2001–02 NFL playoffs|2001]] !! [[2001 St. Louis Rams season|STL]]  
| '''3''' || 14 || 9 || 5 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' 
|- 
! [[2007–08 NFL playoffs|2007]] !! [[2007 Washington Redskins season|WAS]]
| 1 || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 
|- 
! [[2012–13 NFL playoffs|2012]] !! [[2012 Washington Redskins season|WAS]] 
| 1 || 15 || 5 || '''10''' || 0.5 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || '''1''' 
|-
! colspan="2"|Career !! 9 !! 70 !! 45 !! 25 !! 1.5 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 0 !! 2 
|}

==Personal life==
Fletcher and his wife Charne have three children, two daughters, Paige and Brooke, and a son, Steele.<ref name="Washington Redskins Bio" /> Charne died from cancer in September 2024 at the age of 50.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Manning |first1=Bryan |title=Commanders honor London Fletcher after tragic loss of his wife |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/commanders-honor-london-fletcher-tragic-093021421.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=October 8, 2024 |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>

Fletcher is a [[Christianity|Christian]]. Fletcher spoke about his conversion to Christianity saying, "I spent years chasing things I thought would bring me everlasting joy and happiness: chasing Super Bowl rings or a multi-million dollar contract; or a new house, cars and jewelry. None of those things did for me what [[Jesus|Christ]] did in an instant."<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Story: London Fletcher &#124; Cru |url=https://www.cru.org/us/en/how-to-know-god/my-story-a-life-changed/london-fletcher.html |website=Cru.org}}</ref>

Fletcher was named a [[Pro Bowl]] alternate 11 times during his career and did not play in his first one until the [[2010 Pro Bowl]] via replacing [[Jonathan Vilma]]. As a result, Fletcher called himself the NFL version of [[Susan Lucci]], who won a [[Daytime Emmy]] after 19 nominations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-12-17 |title=Fletcher lashes out after latest Pro Bowl snub |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3776324 |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Twitter}}
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{St. Louis Rams 10th Anniversary Team}}
{{Super Bowl XXXIV}}
{{Bart Starr Award}}
{{Washington Commanders Ring of Fame}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, London}}
[[Category:1975 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American football middle linebackers]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins players]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bills players]]
[[Category:St. Louis Rams players]]
[[Category:Saint Francis University alumni]]
[[Category:John Carroll Blue Streaks football players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Cleveland]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Washington Commanders announcers]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]