Scott Fujita is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was born on April 28, 1979, in Ventura, California, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he played college football for the California Golden Bears.
Fujita began his professional career in 2002 when he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He played for the Chiefs for two seasons before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2005. He spent one season with the Cowboys before signing with the New Orleans Saints in 2006.
Fujita played for the Saints for three seasons and was a key member of the team that won Super Bowl XLIV in 2010. He then signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2010 and played for them for two seasons before retiring from the NFL in 2013.
Throughout his career, Fujita was known for his versatility and leadership on the field. He played both inside and outside linebacker positions and was often called upon to cover tight ends and running backs in pass coverage. He was also a vocal leader in the locker room and was respected by his teammates for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
Off the field, Fujita was also known for his activism and advocacy work. He was a vocal supporter of marriage equality and LGBT rights and was one of the first NFL players to speak out in support of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality and racial injustice.
Fujita's career was not without controversy, however. In 2012, he was suspended for three games by the NFL for his role in the New Orleans Saints' "bountygate" scandal, in which players were paid bonuses for injuring opposing players. Fujita denied any involvement in the scandal and appealed the suspension, but it was ultimately upheld by the league.
Despite the suspension, Fujita's legacy as a player and advocate for social justice has endured. He was inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and continues to be a respected voice in the NFL community.
🏈