Haloti Ngata facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Haloti Ngata

Ngata in 2015
No. 92, 94
Position:	Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1984-01-21) January 21, 1984 (age 41) Inglewood, California, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	340 lb (154 kg)
Career information
High school:	Highland (Salt Lake City, Utah)
College:	Oregon (2002–2005)
NFL Draft:	2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12
Career history
Baltimore Ravens (2006–2014) Detroit Lions (2015–2017) Philadelphia Eagles (2018)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVII) 2× First-team All-Pro (2010, 2011) 3× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012) 5× Pro Bowl (2009–2013) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2006) Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor Consensus All-American (2005) Morris Trophy (2005) Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2005) First-team All-Pac-10 (2005) Second-team All-Pac-10 (2004)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 515 Sacks: 32.5 Forced fumbles: 7 Fumble recoveries: 5 Interceptions: 5 Defensive touchdowns: 1
Player stats at PFR
College Football Hall of Fame

Haloti Ngata (born January 21, 1984) is a former American football player. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Ngata played college football for the Oregon Ducks. He was recognized as an All-American for his great performance.

The Baltimore Ravens picked Ngata in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times during his career. Ngata played for the Ravens for nine seasons. Later, he joined the Detroit Lions and then the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired from football in 2019. In 2025, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Early Life and High School Football

Haloti Ngata was born in Inglewood, California. His family has Tongan roots. He grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, and went to Highland High School.

High School Football Star

Ngata was a key player on his high school football team. He played on the defensive line for three years. In his senior year, he made over 200 tackles. He helped his team reach the state quarterfinals. As a junior, his team had a 12–2 record and played in the State Championship.

Ngata was named the 2001 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year. He was also chosen for the USA Today All-USA team. He played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a game for top high school players.

Choosing a College Team

Many colleges wanted Ngata to play for them. Rivals.com rated him as one of the best high school players in the country. He decided to play for the Oregon Ducks at the University of Oregon.

Rugby in High School

Besides football, Ngata also played rugby in high school. He helped his rugby club win the National Rugby Championship.

College Football Career

Haloti Ngata chose to play for the Oregon Ducks football team. In 2003, he had a knee injury (a torn ACL) and missed the rest of that season. However, he came back strong in the next two seasons.

Becoming a Top College Player

In 2004 and 2005, Ngata made 107 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. He was named to the All-Pac-10 team in both years. In 2005, he was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. He also became the first Oregon player in 43 years to be a consensus All-American.

Ngata was also great at blocking kicks on special teams. He blocked 7 kicks during his three years at Oregon. He was known for his incredible strength, with a 495-pound bench press.

Professional Football Career

Ngata decided to leave college early to join the NFL. This was because his mother was very ill. She passed away in January 2006.

Baltimore Ravens (2006–2014)

The Baltimore Ravens picked Haloti Ngata as the 12th player in the 2006 NFL draft. This was the first time the Ravens used a first-round pick on a defensive lineman.

Starting Strong (2006–2007)

Ngata (far left), Ray Lewis, and Terrell Suggs chasing Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker in 2006.

Ngata signed a 5-year contract with the Ravens. In his very first NFL game, he intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards. This play helped the Ravens score a field goal. In his rookie year, he started all 16 games. He finished with 31 tackles, one sack, and one interception. The next season, he had 63 tackles and three sacks.

Becoming an All-Pro (2008–2011)

In 2008, Ngata played in all 16 games and three playoff games. He led the Ravens' defensive line with 77 tackles and had two interceptions. He was named a Pro Bowl alternate and earned Second-team All-Pro honors.

In 2009, Ngata was selected for his first NFL Pro Bowl. The 2010 season was outstanding for him, with 63 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He was ranked 17th among the top 100 players in the NFL by his fellow players.

In 2011, the Ravens signed Ngata to a big 5-year contract. In a game against the St. Louis Rams, Ngata recovered a fumble and scored his first career touchdown. He finished the season with 64 tackles and 5 sacks. He also made his third straight Pro Bowl.

Super Bowl Champion (2012)

In 2012, Ngata played a key role in the Ravens' defense. He had 5 sacks and 51 tackles. He played in all four playoff games, helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. During this season, he was involved in a play where he hit Robert Griffin III, a rookie quarterback, in the knee.

Later Years with Ravens (2013–2014)

In 2013, Ngata played mostly as a nose tackle, making 33 tackles. In 2014, he was suspended for four games for breaking NFL rules about certain substances. He finished that season with two sacks and two interceptions in 12 games.

Detroit Lions (2015–2017)

In 2015, Ngata was traded to the Detroit Lions. He had 2.5 sacks and 24 tackles that season. The Lions re-signed him in 2016. He played 13 games that year, despite a shoulder injury. In 2017, he suffered a torn biceps injury in Week 5 and was placed on injured reserve.

Philadelphia Eagles (2018)

In 2018, Ngata signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in 13 games and had 17 tackles, including one sack.

Retirement

On March 18, 2019, Haloti Ngata announced his retirement from the NFL. He shared a picture of himself on top of Mount Kilimanjaro with a banner that said, "I'm retiring from the NFL on top." On May 28, 2019, the Ravens announced that Ngata would sign a special one-day contract to officially retire as a Raven. He was inducted into the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor on October 11, 2021.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards and Honors

Haloti Ngata received many awards during his football career.

NFL Awards

• Super Bowl champion (XLVII)
• 2× First-team All-Pro (2010, 2011)
• 3× Second-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012)
• 5× Pro Bowl (2009–2013)
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2006)
• Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor

College Awards

• Consensus All-American (2005)
• First-team All-Pac-10 (2005)
• Second-team All-Pac-10 (2004)
• Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2005)
• Morris Trophy (2005)

Personal Life

Haloti Ngata was born in Inglewood, California. His parents, Solomone and 'Ofa, moved to the United States from Tonga in the early 1970s. Haloti has two older brothers, Solomone Jr. and Finau, and two younger siblings, Vili and Ame. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1990.

Family Challenges

In December 2002, Ngata's father died in a truck accident. His mother, who had been sick with kidney disease for many years, passed away in January 2006.

Athletic Family

Many of Ngata's relatives are also athletes. His cousin, Tevita Moala, played linebacker for Oregon State. Another cousin, Fili Moala, was a defensive lineman for Southern California and later played for the Indianapolis Colts. Ngata is also related to basketball player Jabari Parker and golfer Tony Finau.

Ngata lives in Park City, Utah, with his wife, Christina. They got married in June 2007. They have three sons: Solomon (born 2009), Haloti Maximus (born 2012), and Colt (born 2014).

See also

In Spanish: Haloti Ngata para niños