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Manny Lawson (born July 3, 1984) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. Lawson also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
Lawson attended Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Super Prep rated Lawson as one of the Top 25 players (#21) in the state of North Carolina during his senior year. He recorded 54 tackles and 12 sacks on defense and also rushed for 456 yards on offense during his final season, picking up Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Also a track & field star, Lawson qualified for the state indoor track meet in four events: long jump (7.72m or 24'11"), triple jump (14.41m or 47'3"), 55-meter dash (6.76s), 200-meter dash (22.09s) and the 55-meter hurdles (7.72s).
In 2003, he played in every game as an outside linebacker, starting against Texas Tech and Georgia Tech on the strong-side. After the regular season, he shifted to right defensive end and started there against Kansas in the Tangerine Bowl. He recorded 53 tackles (33 solos) with three sacks, seven stops for losses of 29 yards and three pressures. He caused two fumbles and recovered another. He blocked two punts and had five pass deflections. Lawson competed on the track & field squad during the winter and spring, winning the ACC title in the indoor long jump with a mark of 7.40 meters (24'3"). He finished second in that event outdoors with a leap of 7.33 meters (24'0.5"), he finished seventh in the outdoor triple jump (14.90m or 48'10.75"), fourth in the 60-meter hurdles (8.41s) and fourth with the 4 × 100 meter relay with a time of 41.25 seconds. He was named the Wolfpack's Special Teams Player of the Year and Most Improved Defensive Lineman following 2004 spring drills, he also earned the Defensive Leadership Award.
In 2004, he made Second-team All-ACC performer after ranking sixth in the conference with seven sacks for 55 yards. He ranked third on the team with a dozen stops for losses of 74 yards and second with sixteen quarterback pressures. He registered 50 tackles (39 solos) with a pair of fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. He deflected four passes and blocked a punt in his first season as a starter, lining up at right defensive end in every game. He was a co-recipient of the 2004 Cary Brewbaker, given to the most valuable defensive lineman. He was named the strength index champion for the Wolfpack linemen.
In 2005, Lawson made All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report. He started every game, except against Wake Forest, at right defensive end. He participated in 617 plays during the regular season. He recorded a career-high 58 tackles (33 solos), adding three solo hits on special teams. He registered 21 pressures with four pass deflections and a blocked kick. He ranked second in the conference and twelfth in the nation with 10.5 Quarterback sack for minus 83 yards. He ranked fourth in the conference, third on the team and 14th in the nation with 19.5 stops for losses of 112 yards
Lawson was voted Week 2 Rookie of the Week for his performance against the St. Louis Rams by voters on the NFL website. In the game, he recorded three tackles, two sacks, and two quarterback pressures.
In 2007, he started off the season well. He accrued 11 tackles in the first two contests, both tight victories, over Arizona and St.Louis. He had several good QB pressures but mainly was noted for his excellent coverage play, keeping both teams' tight ends fairly non-existent in the offense and letting the rest of the defense focus on stopping those teams' excellent wide receiver duos. Lawson tore his ACL during a practice preparing for a week 3 games against Pittsburgh, ending his season.
In 2016, Lawson was suspended one game for a violation of the league's personal conduct policy due to a domestic situation during the 2015 season, and he appealed the suspension. On September 2, 2016, Lawson was released by the Bills.
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