Albany Empire defensive back Maurice Leggett retired from football on Friday, ending a 15-year professional playing career that began with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs.
After conversations with Empire owner Antonio Brown, Leggett said he’ll have a role on the Empire of the National Arena League. He’s just not sure what that is yet.
He won’t be the head coach, but he could be an assistant to new head coach Terry Foster, who was due to fly in on Sunday after working as defensive coordinator for the Indoor Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers.
“We just have to talk and figure out what my position and title would be, and my role,” Leggett, 36, said Sunday.
Leggett, who said he has chatted with Foster on Facebook, will try to be part of the solution as the Empire (1-5) attempt to snap a five-game losing streak. Coming off a bye this weekend, Albany plays Friday at Orlando.
Their slump has coincided with extreme turnover. Foster will be the Empire’s fourth head coach this season and Albany released seven more players on Friday: Charles Tarver, Jermey Batten, Ron Johnson, Kevin Hurley, Ricky Wyatt, Isaac James and Keyshawn Young.
The on-field changes have been mixed with off-the-field controversy, most recently Friday night. Brown, the former All-Pro wide receiver, was asked to leave the team hotel in Albany due to complaints of loud music and marijuana smoking, according to a source with knowledge of the episode.
Police were called to the Holiday Inn Express on 300 Broadway, but no charges were filed and Brown was cooperative, according to Albany police spokesman Steve Smith.
Leggett said he wasn’t at the hotel during the incident because he was out bowling with a teammate. He said the team is still staying at the hotel.
“It’s never a dull moment,” said Leggett, asked to describe the season. “It’s our own reality show. A lot of good, a lot of bad,…
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