Jeff Leiding

Jeffrey James Leiding (October 28, 1961 – July 13, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker in the United States Football League (USFL) and National Football League (NFL).

Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Leiding was a standout player at Hickman Mills High School as a sophomore and junior. When his father accepted a job at a bank in Tulsa, Oklahoma prior to his senior year, Leiding finished his prep career at Union High School. He chose to play college football for the Texas Longhorns, and was a consensus All-American as a senior.

Leiding was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL Draft, but did not make the team. He spent the 1985 season with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL. He was with the Indianapolis Colts in 1986, appearing in 12 games. In 1997 he rejoined the Colts as a replacement player during the 1987 NFLPA strike. He was retained after the strike ended, and appeared in nine games total for the year.

Leiding died of a heart attack on July 13, 2014.