Dwight Jason Freeney (born February 19, 1980) is an American football outside linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Syracuse, and earned unanimous All-American honors. Freeney also played for the San Diego Chargers.

Early years

Freeney was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He attended Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Freeney was a four-sport letterman, earning four letters in baseball in which he was coached by Alphonso Ford; four in basketball; three in 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 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. During his youth, Freeney idolized New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, whom he later met at a charity golf tournament after turning pro.