Ali Haji-Sheikh

Last updated

Ali Haji-Sheikh
No. 6
Position: Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1961-01-11) January 11, 1961 (age 63)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:172 lb (78 kg)
Career information
High school: Arlington (Arlington, Texas)
College: Michigan
NFL draft: 1983  / Round: 9 / Pick: 237
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
FG / Attempts:76 / 111
Field goal %:68.5
PAT / Attempts:95 / 103
PAT %:92.2
Long:56
Career points:323
Player stats at PFR

Ali S. Haji-Sheikh (born January 11, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines. He was selected in the ninth round (237th overall) of the 1983 NFL draft by the New York Giants. He also played for the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins.

Contents

While at Michigan, Haji-Sheikh set a Big Ten record with 78 consecutive extra points, and he broke the NFL record for the most field goals in a season, as a rookie during the 1983 NFL season.

Early life

Haji-Sheikh was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and raised in Texas. [1] [2] He is the son of Abdolhossein Haji-Sheikh, a professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington who is originally from Iran. [3] [4] His father coached him in soccer and football. [3] Haji-Sheikh attended Arlington High School where he also played wide receiver and defensive back. [3]

College career

Haji-Sheikh attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1982 as a placekicker for the Wolverines, and in 1986 earned a Bachelor of Science in geology. [2] While attending Michigan, he set a Big Ten record by successfully converting 76 consecutive extra points. [5] He also set the school records for career extra points (117) and field goals (31). [5]

Career statistics

YearTeamGPField goalsExtra pointsTotal Points
FGAFGMFG%BlkLngXPAXPMXP%Blk
1979 Michigan Wolverines 12600.0044100.004
1980 Michigan Wolverines 12171164.70403792.5370
1981 Michigan Wolverines 0DNP
1982 Michigan Wolverines 12151280.004141100.0077
Career 36382360.50858296.53151

Professional career

Haji-Sheikh was selected by the New York Giants in the ninth round (237th overall pick) of the 1983 NFL draft. [1] He spent three seasons playing for the Giants. As a rookie in 1983 he was successful in 35-of-42 field goal attempts (83%). [1] His 35 field goals in 1983 broke Jim Turner's NFL record for field goals in a season. [3] Haji-Sheikh's record stood until 1996. [6] A recurring hamstring injury hampered the rest of his career.

In 1986, Haji-Sheikh joined the Atlanta Falcons after three seasons with the Giants. He appeared in six games for the Falcons, was successful on 9-of-12 field goal attempts, and converted 7-of-8 extra points. [1]

Haji-Sheikh was released by the Falcons in late August 1987. [7] In mid-September 1987, he signed with the Washington Redskins after an injury to the Redskins' regular placekicker Jess Atkinson. [8] He appeared in 11 games for the Redskins during the 1987 season, was successful on 13-of-19 field goal attempts, and converted 29-of-32 extra points. [1] He won his only career Super Bowl that season, kicking six extra points and missing one field goal in Super Bowl XXII. He appeared in the 1984 Pro Bowl kicking one field goal and adding six extra points. He finished his career with 76-of-111 field goals (68%) and 95-of-103 extra points, scoring 323 total points.

NFL career statistics

YearTeamGPField goalsExtra pointsTotal Points
FGAFGMFG%BlkLngXPAXPMXP%Blk
1983 NYG 16423583.3056232295.71127
1984 NYG 16331751.5048353291.4383
1985 NYG 25240.005255100.0011
1986 ATL 612975.00478787.5134
1987 WAS 11191368.4041322990.6368
Career 511117668.50561039592.28323

Personal life and later years

In 1984, Haji-Sheikh married Detroit native and fellow University of Michigan graduate Michele Blondin. As of 2016, the couple has five children. He now works in the luxury car business in Birmingham, Michigan, coaches travel soccer with Magic Soccer and trains upcoming kickers via his business Haji-Sheikh Kicking.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morten Andersen</span> Danish-born American football player (born 1960)

Morten Andersen, nicknamed "the Great Dane", is a Danish-born former football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Following a career from 1982 to 2007, Andersen holds the NFL record for regular season games played at 382. He also ranks second in field goals (565) and points scored (2,544). In addition to his league accomplishments, he is the Saints all-time leading scorer at 1,318 points. Andersen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Along with Jan Stenerud, he is one of only two exclusive kickers to receive the honor.

James Bayard Turner was an American football placekicker who played in the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Jets and a member of their Super Bowl III championship team. Turner was chosen for the AFL All-Time Second-team and the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Placekicker</span> Player position in American and Canadian football

In American football, the placekicker (PK), or simply kicker (K), is the player who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals and extra points. In most cases, the placekicker also serves as the team's kickoff specialist and occasionally in youth football, also acts as the punter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Feely</span> American football player and sportscaster (born 1976)

Thomas James Feely is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. He started his playing career as a placekicker with the Florida Bobcats in the Arena Football League (AFL) as a free agent in 1999 before playing for several National Football League (NFL) teams. Since his retirement, Feely has worked as a reporter and analyst for CBS/Turner Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shayne Graham</span> American football player and coach (born 1977)

Michael Shayne Graham is an American American football coach and former placekicker. Graham played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Virginia Tech. He made his professional debut in May 2000 with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League's now-defunct developmental league, AF2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Moseley</span> American football player (born 1948)

Mark DeWayne Moseley is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He played for Philadelphia Eagles (1970), the Houston Oilers (1971–72), the Washington Redskins (1974–86), and the Cleveland Browns (1986). A native of Livingston, Texas, Moseley played quarterback at Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin State University before switching to kicker for his senior season at Stephen F. Austin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neil Rackers</span> American football player (born 1976)

Neil William Rackers is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Rackers was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft, and also played for the NFL's Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raúl Allegre</span> American football player (born 1959)

Raúl Enrique Allegre Rodríguez is a Mexican former professional football kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore / Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, and New York Jets. He played college football at Montana and Texas and was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after the 1983 NFL Draft.

John McLeod "Chip" Lohmiller is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and St. Louis Rams. He played college football for the University of Minnesota and high school football at Woodbury Senior High School in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb east of Saint Paul.

Edward Peter Murray is a Canadian former professional football player who was a kicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins. He played college football at Tulane University.

Bradley William Daluiso is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Oakland Raiders. He played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Luis Fernando Zendejas is a Mexican former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Arena Football League (AFL). He later played professionally in the United States Football League (USFL), and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Arizona State University.

Lindley Franklin Elliott Jr. is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs. He earned a Super Bowl ring playing for the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII, beating the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Texas Tech.

Efrén Herrera is a Mexican-American former football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and was selected in the seventh round of the 1974 NFL draft. Herrera played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills. He also was a member of the Oklahoma Outlaws in the United States Football League (USFL).

Kerry Patrick Brady is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Hauschka</span> American football player (born 1985)

Stephen Theodore Hauschka is an American former professional football player who was a placekicker in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Middlebury College and North Carolina State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Michigan Wolverines football team</span> American college football season

The 1980 Michigan Wolverines football team was an American football team that represented the University of Michigan in the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their 12th season under head coach Bo Schembechler, the Wolverines compiled a 10–2 record, won the Big Ten Conference championship, defeated Washington in the 1981 Rose Bowl, and outscored all opponents by a total of 322 to 129. The Rose Bowl victory was Schembechler's first in a bowl game, following seven bowl games losses. After falling out of the rankings for four weeks, the 1980 Wolverines ended up being ranked No. 4 in both the AP and UPI polls.

The 1981 Rose Bowl was the 67th Rose Bowl game and was played on January 1, 1981, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The game featured the Michigan Wolverines beating the Washington Huskies by a score of 23–6. The game marked the first time Michigan Coach Bo Schembechler won a bowl game after seven prior bowl game losses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kai Forbath</span> American football player (born 1987)

Kai August Forbath is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Lou Groza Award in 2009. He played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair Walsh</span> American football player (born 1990)

Blair Richard Walsh is an American former football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Walsh played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ali Haji-Sheikh". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Contacts". The Dream Project. Retrieved September 14, 2009.[ dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 4 Heika, Mike (August 26, 2006). "Arlington-ex getting kids off on the right foot as youth coach". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, Texas. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  4. "Faculty Profile: Dr. Abdolhossein Haji-Sheikh". Arlington, Texas: University of Texas at Arlington . Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  5. 1 2 "Haji-Sheikh puts best foot forward". The Michigan Daily. September 29, 1983. p. 11 via Google News.
  6. "NFL Single-Season Total Field Goals Made Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  7. "Falcons Cut Haji-Sheikh". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. August 27, 1987. p. 6C.
  8. "Redskins sign Laufenberg, Haji-Sheikh". The Free Lance-Star. September 15, 1987. p. 9.