L. P. Ladouceur

Louis-Philippe Ladouceur (born March 13, 1981) is a French-Canadian American former professional football player who spent his entire 16-year career as a long snapper with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Montreal, he played college football in the United States for the California Golden Bears. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 2005, before joining the Cowboys that same year.

L. P. Ladouceur
refer to caption
Ladouceur with the Dallas Cowboys in 2017
No. 91
Position:Long snapper
Personal information
Born: (1981-03-13) March 13, 1981
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Collège Notre-Dame du Sacré-Cœur (Montreal)
College:California
CFL Draft:2004 / Round: 4 / Pick: 29
Undrafted:2005
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
NFL Records
  • Most games played by a Canadian born player
  • Most consecutive games played by a long snapper
Career NFL statistics
Games played:253
Total tackles:21
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Ladouceur holds several longevity records for both the Cowboys and the NFL, including most consecutive games played in Cowboys history, most seasons played in Cowboys history, most consecutive games played by a longsnapper in NFL history, and most games played by a Canadian-born player.

Early years

Ladouceur attended Notre Dame High School in Montreal, Quebec. He went on to play as a defensive lineman for John Abbott College, which is a public college, where as a senior he recorded seven sacks, 48 tackles, and one fumble recovery.

He accepted a football scholarship from the University of California, Berkeley. He also received scholarship offers from Syracuse University and Michigan State University.[1] In his first 2 seasons he appeared in only 5 games. As a junior, he was named the team's long snapper and was a key player on a special teams unit that did not allow a blocked kick in two straight years.

Ladouceur was selected in the fourth round of the 2004 CFL Draft by the Ottawa Renegades, but decided to return to school.[2]

Professional career

New Orleans Saints

Ladouceur was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Orleans Saints after the 2005 NFL Draft on April 27. He was waived on August 29.

Dallas Cowboys

After playing the third game of the 2005 season against the San Francisco 49ers, the Cowboys decided to stay the entire week in California, to better prepare for their next game against the Oakland Raiders. Because of issues they were having with rookie long snapper Jon Condo, the team decided to replace him with Ladouceur, who signed with the team on September 28.[2] In his NFL debut against the Oakland Raiders, he snapped cleanly on five punts and two field goals. He finished his rookie season with clean snaps on 70 punts, 25 field goals and 28 PATs.

On February 14, 2008, he signed a five-year contract through the 2012 season. On February 28, 2013, he signed a new five-year contract.[3] In 2014, he was added to the Pro Bowl as a "need player" for special teams purposes.[4]

On March 18, 2018, Ladouceur re-signed with the Cowboys.[5] On March 19, 2019, Ladouceur re-signed with the Cowboys.[6]

On March 24, 2020, Ladouceur signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys.[7] He tied the franchise record of playing in 16 seasons, shared with tight end Jason Witten. On December 13, 2020, he became just the 3rd player in NFL history to play 250 consecutive games for one team. On December 20, he played in his 251st career NFL game, moving him past placekicker Eddie Murray as the most ever by a Canadian born player.[8] He was congratulated by Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.[9]

On March 15, 2021, it was reported in the media that the Cowboys would not re-sign Ladouceur to play for them in a 17th season. He was replaced with free agent acquisition Jake McQuaide.[10]

Personal life

Ladouceur married his wife, Brooke Worthington, in April 2012. He became an American citizen in 2019 after starting the process in 2013.[11]

He decided he was going to retire from the NFL in November 2021, but did not make his decision public until February 2022.[12]

References
  1. Les Carpenter (December 14, 2016). "The NFL's perfect player: how LP Ladouceur has made $10m from long snapping". The Guardian. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  2. "Canadian L.P. Ladouceur ecstatic to be remaining with Dallas Cowboys". Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  3. Helman, David (February 28, 2013). "Cowboys sign long snapper Ladouceur to five-year deal". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  4. "Cowboys' L.P. Ladouceur going it alone at Pro Bowl". ESPN. January 24, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  5. Williams, Charean (March 18, 2018). "Cowboys re-sign long snapper L.P. Ladouceur". Sep 28. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  6. Eatman, Nick (March 19, 2019). "Veteran Long Snapper To Return For 15th Season". DallasCowboys.com.
  7. Williams, Charean (March 17, 2020). "Cowboys keeping L.P. Ladouceur on one-year deal". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  8. Ralph, Dan (December 18, 2020). "Canadian long-snapper L.P. Ladouceur set to play in record 251st career NFL game". Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  9. Cullinane, Susannah (December 20, 2020). "Canada's Trudeau congratulates L.P. Ladouceur of Dallas Cowboys on pending NFL record". Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  10. Williams, Charean (March 15, 2021). "LReport: Cowboys signing long snapper Jake McQuaide". Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  11. Engel, Mac. "This Dallas Cowboy officially became a U.S. citizen this week. 'It's very special.'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  12. "This former Dallas Cowboy is ideal Freakonomics Radio guest". Retrieved August 7, 2022.
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