Brad Leggett (born January 16, 1966) is an American former professional football center in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the eighth round of the 1990 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos. He also played for the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions
Early Life and High School Career
Leggett was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and grew up in a football family, heavily influenced by the long NFL playing and coaching career of his father, Earl Leggett. He attended Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, California, from 1982 to 1984, where he began to establish himself as a promising young offensive lineman.
For his senior year in 1985, Leggett transferred to Fountain Valley High School in Huntington Beach, California. There, he developed into one of the top high‑school linemen in the state. His combination of size, strength, and refined technique earned him All‑League and All‑County honors and drew recruiting interest from major college programs across the country.
College Career at USC
Leggett was recruited by several major college programs and ultimately chose to play football at the University of Southern California (USC). His decision came down to USC and Louisiana State University (LSU), where his father, Earl Leggett, had starred in the 1950s. At the time, Earl was coaching with the Los Angeles Raiders, and Brad elected to stay close to home by committing to USC.
During his career at USC, Leggett was part of one of the most successful periods in program history. He played on three consecutive Pac‑10 championship teams, each of which advanced to the Rose Bowl, giving him three straight appearances in the “Granddaddy of Them All.” USC finished ranked in the Top 10 nationally in each of his final three seasons.
Leggett earned numerous honors during his time with the Trojans, including:
He has frequently been mentioned among the top centers to play at USC, known for his strength, technique, and leadership on the offensive line.
Leggett concluded his college career with a victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the 1990 Rose Bowl, helping solidify USC’s place among the nation’s elite programs. He then participated in the Senior Bowl, marking the final game of his collegiate career before entering the NFL.
Professional Career
Leggett was selected in the eighth round (219th overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Although drafted by Denver, he went on to play for the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions during his NFL career.
Leggett and his father, Earl Leggett, hold a unique place in league history as the first father and son to play for the New Orleans Saints. Earl played for the franchise during its early seasons in 1967–1968, and Brad later joined the team beginning in 1990.
New Orleans Saints (1990–1991, 1993)
Leggett signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1990, joining the team’s offensive line rotation and immediately creating the father‑son milestone with his father’s earlier tenure.
In his rookie season (1990), Leggett contributed to a Saints team that reached the postseason as a wild‑card qualifier, appearing in the playoff game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
In 1991, Leggett earned starting assignments against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams, helping the Saints secure the first division title in franchise history. His ability to play both center and guard made him a valuable member of the offensive line group.
Leggett spent part of the 1992 season with the Detroit Lions, providing depth and experience along the interior offensive line. His technique, football intelligence, and versatility made him a reliable contributor during his time in Detroit.
Leggett re‑signed with the Saints in 1993, but his season — and ultimately his NFL career — was cut short due to a significant back injury. After receiving an injury settlement, he retired from professional football. His career, though shortened, was marked by toughness, versatility, and a historic family legacy within the Saints organization.
Post‑Football Career
After retiring from the NFL, Leggett transitioned into business and entrepreneurship, building a career focused on helping former professional athletes succeed beyond their playing days. He is the founder of Pro Players Business, a national referral‑based business network created to connect retired athletes with business opportunities, professional services, and income‑generating partnerships.
Leggett founded Pro Players Business to address a long‑standing challenge faced by many former athletes: transforming their relationships, reputation, and community presence into sustainable post‑career success. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a nationwide network of more than 15,000 former NFL players and over 3,000 high‑level business connectors, making it the largest and only dedicated business network built specifically for former NFL athletes.
The Pro Players Business Network operates by pairing former athletes with vetted business partners across multiple industries, enabling introductions, referrals, and collaborative opportunities. Leggett oversees the organization’s brand strategy, messaging, and national expansion, positioning the network as a leading platform for athlete‑driven business development and post‑career income generation.
In addition to his work with Pro Players Business, Leggett remains active in athlete mentorship, business consulting, and legacy preservation efforts related to his father, longtime NFL player and coach Earl Leggett.
Personal Life
Leggett is married to Gretchen Duplantis, who is from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He maintains strong ties to both his Louisiana and California roots, reflecting the influence of his family’s football background and his own playing career. Outside of football and business, Leggett remains active in athlete mentorship and in preserving the legacy of his father, longtime NFL player and coach Earl Leggett.