Tahir Whitehead is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on April 2, 1990, in Newark, New Jersey, and attended West Side High School in Newark. Whitehead played college football at Temple University, where he was a standout linebacker for the Owls.
Whitehead was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent his first six seasons with the Lions, where he established himself as a reliable and versatile linebacker. Whitehead played in all 16 games in each of his first five seasons with the Lions, starting in 44 of them. He recorded a career-high 132 tackles in 2016, which was the second-highest total in the NFL that season.
In 2018, Whitehead signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent. He played two seasons with the Raiders, starting in all 32 games he played in. Whitehead was a team captain for the Raiders in 2019, and he recorded a career-high three interceptions that season. He was released by the Raiders in March 2020, and he signed with the Carolina Panthers a few months later.
Whitehead played one season with the Panthers in 2020, starting in all 16 games. He recorded 86 tackles, one interception, and one sack for the Panthers. However, he was released by the team in March 2021, and he announced his retirement from the NFL shortly thereafter.
Throughout his NFL career, Whitehead was known for his durability, versatility, and leadership. He played in 125 games, starting in 100 of them. He recorded 684 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and five interceptions. Whitehead was also a valuable special teams player, recording 47 tackles on special teams throughout his career.
Off the field, Whitehead was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Tahir Whitehead Foundation in 2016, which focuses on providing resources and opportunities for underprivileged youth in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey. Whitehead was also active in the NFL's social justice initiatives, advocating for criminal justice reform and police accountability.
In conclusion, Tahir Whitehead had a successful NFL career as a linebacker, playing for the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, and Carolina Panthers. He was known for his durability, versatility, and leadership, and he was a valuable special teams player. Off the field, Whitehead was a philanthropist and advocate for social justice.
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