Ezekiel Ansah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ezekiel Ansah

Ansah with the Detroit Lions in 2014
No. 94
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1989-05-29) May 29, 1989 (age 36) Accra, Ghana
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:	Presbyterian Boys' Secondary (Legon, Ghana)
College:	BYU (2010–2012)
NFL Draft:	2013 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
Detroit Lions (2013–2018) Seattle Seahawks (2019) San Francisco 49ers (2020)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2015) Pro Bowl (2015) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2013) First-team All-Independent (2012)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 236 Sacks: 50.5 Forced fumbles: 12 Fumble recoveries: 5 Pass deflections: 4
Player stats at PFR

Ezekiel Nana "Ziggy" Ansah (born May 29, 1989) is a former professional American football player from Ghana. He played as a defensive end. Ziggy was born in Accra, Ghana, and later moved to the United States. He went to Brigham Young University and played college football for the BYU Cougars. The Detroit Lions picked him fifth overall in the 2013 NFL draft.

Early Life and Sports Beginnings

Ziggy Ansah grew up in Ghana. He loved playing soccer and was also a big fan of basketball. He had never seen American football when he was young.

He often played basketball at Golden Sunbeam Montessori School. He attended this school from 4th to 9th grade. He became the most valuable player on the school's basketball team. His team won many games.

Discovering a New Path

Basketball enthusiasts, including missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, noticed Ansah's skills. He became friends with a missionary and was later baptized into the church at age 18. This missionary suggested that Ansah should try out for the basketball team at Brigham Young University (BYU) in the United States.

High School Years

Ansah went to Presbyterian Boys' Senior Secondary School in Legon from 2004 to 2007. He studied business there. He was very active in sports, playing on the basketball team and participating in track and field.

After graduating, he worked as a teaching assistant at Golden Sunbeam. In his free time, he coached the younger students in basketball. Under his guidance, the Golden Sunbeam basketball team won several tournaments.

College Career at BYU

Ansah was accepted into Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2008. He received an academic scholarship because of his excellent school grades. It was a big change moving to a new country and culture.

Trying Out for Sports Teams

Ansah tried out for the BYU Cougars men's basketball team twice, in 2008 and 2009, but he didn't make the team. After that, he successfully joined the BYU Cougars track team. He was very fast, running the 100 meters in 10.91 seconds and the 200 meters in 21.89 seconds.

Finally, he was convinced to try out for the BYU Cougars football team. He made the team and played for the Cougars from 2010 to 2012.

Learning American Football

When Ansah first started playing American football, he knew very little about it. He even needed help putting on his pads! He made his first college appearance in 2010. He played in six games, mostly on special teams, and recorded three tackles.

In 2011, his third year of eligibility, he played more often. He was a defensive end or outside linebacker on third downs. He recorded seven tackles that season.

Becoming a Key Player

For the 2012 season, Ansah was a "situation player," meaning he played in specific game situations. However, when a teammate got injured, Ansah stepped up. Over the last nine games of the season, he became a star player. He was third on the team in tackles (48) and second in sacks (4.5). He also led the team in tackles for loss (13).

The BYU Cougars football team had a fantastic 2012 season. They were one of the best defenses in the country. They were first in red zone defense and second in stopping running plays.

Professional Football Journey

Getting Ready for the NFL Draft

Before the 2013 NFL draft, many experts didn't even list Ansah as a top player. But by the middle of the college season, he started to get noticed. He was called a "sleeper pick" and moved up to be a possible first or second-round pick.

Ansah showed off his amazing skills at the 2013 Senior Bowl. He had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced a fumble. Scouts saw him as a very talented player with great speed and athletic ability. They believed he was too valuable to pass up in the draft.

Joining the Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions chose Ezekiel Ansah as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. On May 10, 2013, he signed a four-year contract with the team.

Rookie Season (2013)

Ansah started his first professional season as a backup defensive end. In his very first regular season game, he made three tackles and helped sack the quarterback. He earned his first start in Week 3. In that game, he made seven tackles and sacked the quarterback twice, forcing a fumble.

He finished his rookie season with 32 tackles, 8 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. His 8 sacks were the most among all NFL rookies that year. He was named the Mel Farr Rookie of the Year for the Lions and was also part of the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Second Season (2014)

In 2014, Ansah became the starting right defensive end for the Lions. He continued to play well, recording 2.5 sacks in one game against the Minnesota Vikings. He ended his second season with 49 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

He played in his first playoff game on January 4, 2015. He made two tackles and a sack, but the Lions lost.

Breakout Season (2015)

The 2015 season was a huge year for Ansah. He had a season-high 3 sacks in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the season with 47 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. His 14.5 sacks were the third-highest in the entire league!

Because of his amazing performance, Ansah was chosen for the 2016 Pro Bowl for the first time. He was also ranked 43rd among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.

Later Seasons with the Lions (2016-2018)

In 2016, the Lions kept Ansah for another year. He started the season strong but then injured his ankle and missed three games. He finished the season with 35 tackles and two sacks. The Lions made it to the playoffs, where Ansah had two sacks against the Seattle Seahawks, but they lost the game.

In 2017, Ansah had a much better year, recording 12 sacks. He had three sacks in a single game three different times, which was a first for a Lions player. He earned the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award in Week 17.

In 2018, the Lions used the "franchise tag" on Ansah, which meant he would play for them for another year at a high salary. However, he suffered a shoulder injury early in the season and missed several games. He later re-injured his shoulder and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

Time with Other Teams

Seattle Seahawks (2019)

On May 9, 2019, Ansah signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. He continued to deal with injuries and recorded 2.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher.

San Francisco 49ers (2020)

On September 23, 2020, Ansah signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn biceps injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Ezekiel Ansah is the youngest of five children. His father, Edward, worked as a sales manager, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a nurse. Ansah is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

While attending BYU, Ansah worked as a custodian to help pay for his tuition. He stopped working when he received a scholarship in his senior year.