Saleem Rasheed

Saleem Rasheed (born June 15, 1981 in Birmingham) was a professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL) and the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Presently Rasheed is a teacher and assistant football coach at Center Point High School.

Early years

High School

Rasheed played high school football for Robert Higginbotham at Shades Valley High School where he started all four years there. Following his senior season in 1998, he was named the Gatorade Circle of Champions' Alabama Player of the year and as the top defensive player in the South by SuperPrep Magazine. On January 26, 1999, he signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

Alabama

At Alabama, Rasheed became the first defensive player of the modern era to start as a true freshman. In his freshman season, Rasheed had 83 tackles including 13 against Tennessee. For his overall performance, Rasheed was named to the SEC All Freshmen Team and as the Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. In his sophomore season, he had 81 tackles and was named Second Team All-SEC. In his final season at Alabama, Rasheed led the team with 115 tackles, served as a team captain and was selected to both the First Team All-SEC and the Academic All-SEC Team. On January 10, 2002, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2002 NFL Draft. In 2010, Rasheed was named to the Alabama Team of the Decade for 2000-2010.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

He was drafted with the 69th pick during the 3rd round in the 2002 NFL Draft. He signed a three-year contract with the 49ers on July 21, 2002 for $905,000 plus a $538,000 signing bonus. He was resigned to a one-year contract in 2005. Playing in 45 and starting in four games as a 49ers, Rasheed recorded 54 total tackles during his career there.

Houston Texans

In the 2006 offseason, Rasheed signed as a free agent with the Houston Texans. He was subsequently cut by the team on August 28 prior to the season beginning.

Calgary Stampeders

After taking the year off due to knee injuries, Rasheed reentered professional football by signing with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders on May 6, 2008. Playing in only nine games due to injury, Rasheed registered 28 tackles and helped lead the team to the 96th Grey Cup Championship. As a result of his injuries, Rasheed was released from the Stampeders on May 4, 2009.

References

• Hurt, Cecil (January 27, 1999) "Rasheed chooses the Tide." p.C1 The Tuscaloosa News
• Hurt, Cecil (January 11, 2002) "Rasheed says so long." p.B1 The Tuscaloosa News
• Phillips, Roger (July 22, 2002) "Top pick not signed as 49ers camp opens." The Oakland Tribune
• Robertson, Dale (August 2, 2006) "Texans training camp: Roster additions." The Houston Chronicle
• McClain, John (August 29, 2006) "Texans cut Armstrong, 12 others." The Houston Chronicle
• Staff Reporters (May 7, 2008) "Stamps sign NFL veteran linebacker Rasheed." p. C5 The Calgary Herald
• Cameron, Allen (May 5, 2009) "Stampeders upgrade at expense of veterans." p. E5 The Calgary Herald
• McNair, Kirk (Jun 21, 2010) "Saleem Rasheed was early star." BamaMag.com

External links

• Saleem Rasheed at stampeders.com
• Saleem Rasheed at NFL.com
• Saleem Rasheed at scout.com