Lakeland’s impact on the NFL

While Lakeland might not be a mecca for professional sports teams like those in the NFL, our city has had its fair share of athletes go on to play in the big leagues. Get to know these star players whose athletic journeys began right here in Swan City.

Maurkice & Mike Pouncey

This dynamic twin duo both played integral roles in leading Lakeland Senior High School to its third consecutive Florida Class 5A state championship and second straight USA Today national championship in 2006. Both centers, Maurkice Pouncey went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2010 to 2020, while Mike Pouncey played for the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers from 2011 to 2020. They retired together in 2021.

Damarri Mathis

Mathis graduated from Lakeland Senior High School in 2017. In 2022, he was drafted by the Denver Broncos, where he continues to represent Lakeland as a cornerback.

Ahmad Black

Black’s football journey is a true tale of hometown pride. After graduating from Lakeland Senior High School, he went on to be a free safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2011 to 2013. In 2022, Black went back to his Lakeland roots, becoming the defensive backs/safeties coach for the Dreadnaughts.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Ray Lewis

While Lewis was born in Bartow, his football journey began as a member of the Red Devils roster at Kathleen High School. Since his time there, Lewis went on to have a prolific NFL career as a linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, including becoming a two-time Super Bowl Champion and Defensive Player of the Year, earning the title of Super Bowl MVP in 2001, and securing a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Ronnie Ghent

Ghent began his football journey as a member of the Dreadnaughts at Lakeland Senior High School before going on to play as an off-season/practice squad member for the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals + an active roster member of the New Orleans Saints. Ghent also served as the head coach of the Central Florida Jaguars, a former American Indoor Football league team that was based in Lakeland from 2016 to 2017.

Rod Smart

This Lakeland Senior High School alum played running back for the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers from 2001 to 2005 before finishing his career as a member of the former Oakland Raiders off-season/practice squad.

Photo by All-Pro Reels via Wikimedia Commons

Darryl Roberts

Roberts played cornerback for a host of NFL teams throughout his professional football journey, beginning with the New England Patriots in 2015. After leaving the Patriots, he also went on to play for the New York Jets, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders before retiring in 2021.

Shannon Baker

Baker played for not just one Lakeland area high school, but two. After beginning his football career as a quarterback for Kathleen High School, he transferred to Lakeland Senior High School during his junior year where he played as both a wide receiver and quarterback. Baker went on to play for the Indianapolis Colts from 1993 to 1995. In 1995, he signed as one of the first three players to the newly formed Jacksonville Jaguars, but was later released during the team’s pre-season.

Photo by Jeffrey Beall via Wikimedia Commons

Chris Rainey

Running back Chris Rainey also began his journey at Lakeland Senior High School — is there something in the water cooler there? After high school, this running back went on to play as an active roster member for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts, as well as an off-season/practice squad member for the Arizona Cardinals.

David Williams

Williams began his football career as an offensive lineman for Lakeland Senior High School where he helped lead the Dreadnaughts to a district championship in 1983, and regional championships in 1982 and 1984. He was a first-round draft pick for the Houston Oilers, and he also played for the New York Jets from 1989 to 1997.

Jack Harper

Harper served as the first known player from Lakeland to join the professional leagues. The Lakeland Senior High School running back signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1967, playing 14 games across two seasons.