London Fletcher Is Ready For What’s Next

SI Staff | Feb 13, 2014

London Fletcher Is Ready For What’s Next

A legendary tackling machine, Fletcher ranks second behind Ray Lewis in career tackles, a stat that has been compiled since 1994. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

A legendary tackling machine, Fletcher ranks second behind Ray Lewis in career tackles, a stat that has been compiled since 1994. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

Undrafted out of D-III John Carroll University in ’98, Fletcher signed with the Rams as a free agent, made the roster and was on his way. (David E. Klutho/SI/The MMQB)

Undrafted out of D-III John Carroll University in ’98, Fletcher signed with the Rams as a free agent, made the roster and was on his way. (David E. Klutho/SI/The MMQB)

By the 1999 Super Bowl season, Fletcher was St. Louis’ starting middle linebacker. (David E. Klutho/SI/The MMQB)

By the 1999 Super Bowl season, Fletcher was St. Louis’ starting middle linebacker. (David E. Klutho/SI/The MMQB)

Tussling with future Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews in Super Bowl XXXIV. (NFL Photos/AP)

Tussling with future Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews in Super Bowl XXXIV. (NFL Photos/AP)

Chasing down Tennessee’s Steve McNair in the Super Bowl win. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Chasing down Tennessee’s Steve McNair in the Super Bowl win. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

J.R. Redmond of the Pats feels the sting in SB XXXVI. (John W. McDonough/SI/The MMQB)

J.R. Redmond of the Pats feels the sting in SB XXXVI. (John W. McDonough/SI/The MMQB)

High-stepping it to Buffalo as a free agent in 2002. (Richard Mackson/SI/The MMQB)

High-stepping it to Buffalo as a free agent in 2002. (Richard Mackson/SI/The MMQB)

Tom Brady’s Pats were part of the routine during the Buffalo years. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI/The MMQB)

Tom Brady’s Pats were part of the routine during the Buffalo years. (Damian Strohmeyer/SI/The MMQB)

Losing his head (figuratively) against his former team in ’08. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Losing his head (figuratively) against his former team in ’08. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Between them, Fletcher and Tony Gonzalez played 526 games through ’13. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

Between them, Fletcher and Tony Gonzalez played 526 games through ’13. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

Fletcher’s taken on plenty of all-timers, including Adrian Peterson in 2012. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

Fletcher’s taken on plenty of all-timers, including Adrian Peterson in 2012. (Carlos M. Saavedra/SI/The MMQB)

In the middle for one last (?) training camp, June 2013. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

In the middle for one last (?) training camp, June 2013. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Ready to greet the crowd at FedEx before a game with the Lions in September. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Ready to greet the crowd at FedEx before a game with the Lions in September. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Underappreciated early on, Fletcher became recognized as one of the game’s best. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon SMI)

Underappreciated early on, Fletcher became recognized as one of the game’s best. (Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon SMI)

One of 39 career sacks: Matthew Stafford in September ’13. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

One of 39 career sacks: Matthew Stafford in September ’13. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Sure, go ahead and celebrate. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Sure, go ahead and celebrate. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Stuffing LeSean McCoy in the ’13 season. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Stuffing LeSean McCoy in the ’13 season. (Simon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Yet another takedown, of Chicago’s Matt Forte last October. (SImon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)

Yet another takedown, of Chicago’s Matt Forte last October. (SImon Bruty/SI/The MMQB)