St. Louis Rams McCleon was selected by the Rams with the 40th overall pick in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft. McCleon played with the Rams for six seasons. He was a starter from 1999 to 2001. He helped them reach
Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000 in which McCleon had seven tackles vs the
Tennessee Titans. McCleon also started at cornerback for the Rams in
Super Bowl XXXVI vs the
New England Patriots. McCleon is seen on camera during Super Bowl XXXVI saying to his Rams' teammate, Dre Bly, while both were sitting on the bench: "
Tom Brady…overrated." referring to Patriots now legendary, but then very new quarterback. In 2001, McCleon led the NFL with 7 interceptions. McCleon was a starter for the Rams in Super Bowls XXXIV and XXXVI at cornerback. In 2002, his last season with the Rams, he lost his starting place to
Dre Bly, and in 2003 the Rams released him for salary cap reasons to avoid paying his $3.9 million expected salary. He started for two seasons. In 2003, McCleon lead the NFL with 8 interceptions. In 2005, McCleon played in eleven games as a
nickelback, making twenty-one tackles and two
interceptions. On March 10, 2006, the Chiefs cut McCleon in a
salary cap cut move.
Houston Texans McCleon was signed by the Houston Texans prior to the 2006 season. In the 2006 season, he had a good season as a corner for the Texans. He was released on August 24, 2007.
NFL statistics ==Personal life==