Kahlil Carter facts for kids

Kahlil Rafiq Carter, born on September 13, 1976, is an American former professional gridiron football player and coach. He played in several leagues, including the Arena Football League (AFL), NFL Europe, and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Kahlil Carter played as a defensive back for the Iowa Barnstormers in the AFL in 2010, which was his last season as a player. He also played for the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe and for the Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes in the CFL.

After his playing career, Carter became a coach. He coached defensive backs for the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL from 2015 to 2017. In 2018, he worked as a scout for the Montreal Alouettes.

College Football Journey

From 1994 to 1997, Kahlil Carter was part of the University of Arkansas' football team. He started as a quarterback and then switched to wide receiver. In 1998, he moved to Southern Arkansas University. There, he was a leader in special teams tackles for the Muleriders.

Kahlil Carter's Pro Football Career

Playing in Arena Football

In 2000, Carter joined the Arkansas Twisters in the af2 league. He played many positions like quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and linebacker. He was the first player from the Twisters to sign a professional contract with the AFL. He threw for 201 yards and 6 touchdowns, caught 165 yards and 5 touchdowns, and made 25 tackles.

In 2001, Carter signed with the Milwaukee Mustangs in the Arena Football League (AFL). He played in all 14 games, catching 35 passes for 364 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also made 24 tackles on defense. He was named the team's Rookie of the Year.

In 2002, Carter joined the Toronto Phantoms (AFL). He recorded 17 tackles and caught 10 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.

In 2003, Carter returned to the Arkansas Twisters (af2). He set an af2 league record with 14 interceptions in 14 games. He was named the af2 Defensive Player of the Year for his amazing performance.

In 2005, Carter played for the Nashville Kats (AFL). He made 70 tackles and had 7 interceptions, which was the second-highest in the AFL that year. He was also named Second-Team All-Arena.

In 2006, Carter was named AFL Defensive Player of the Week after a great game with 11 tackles and an interception. He later joined the Orlando Predators (AFL) and helped them reach ArenaBowl XX. In the championship game, Carter scored the longest touchdown run in ArenaBowl history, running 36 yards.

In 2007, Carter was honored as one of the best defensive specialists in af2 history. His jersey number 9 was retired by the Arkansas Twisters of the af2.

In 2010, Carter became a player-coach and team captain for the Iowa Barnstormers in the new AFL. Even at 34, he was a key leader on a young team. He played in all 16 games, making 85 tackles and 5 interceptions. After this season, Carter retired as a player.

Playing in Canadian Football

In 2005, Carter joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in one game and made 3 tackles.

In 2006, Carter rejoined the Argonauts. He played in 12 games, starting seven as a defensive back. He set new personal bests for tackles and interceptions. In Week 7, he got his first CFL interception and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown.

In 2007, Carter played in all 18 regular season games for the Toronto Argonauts. He had 3 interceptions and scored two defensive touchdowns. He was named player of the week on September 13 for a game where he made 7 tackles and returned an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.

In 2008, Carter signed with the Montreal Alouettes in July after leaving the Argonauts. In four games, he made 7 tackles, 2 interceptions, and scored one defensive touchdown. In the 96th Grey Cup, Carter made 8 tackles, which was the third-highest in Grey Cup history.

Playing in American Football

In 2004, Carter signed with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL. He was sent to the Scottish Claymores in NFL Europe. He led the team in special teams tackles and was a captain for their strong defense. He made 28 tackles and forced 2 fumbles.

Kahlil Carter's Coaching Career

Coaching in Arena Football

Carter started coaching in 2007 as a player-coach for the Arkansas Twisters in the af2. He was the Pass Game and Special Teams Coordinator.

In 2010, he also served as a player-coach for the Iowa Barnstormers in the Arena Football League (AFL). As a defensive back and team captain, he helped plan games and manage players. Under his guidance, the Barnstormers had the 3rd best scoring defense.

In 2011, Carter was the defensive coordinator for the Trenton Steel in the Southern Indoor Football League.

Coaching in College Football

In 2010, Carter took his first college coaching job at Graceland University. He was a volunteer assistant and coached the secondary for the Graceland Yellowjackets.

In July 2012, Carter became the cornerbacks coach for the NCAA Division I Drake Bulldogs football team. In his first year, he helped the team's pass defense rank second in their league. Drake also won a share of the Pioneer Football League Conference Championship that year.

In 2013, Carter helped Drake have the number one ranked defense in the Pioneer Football League.

Coaching in Canadian Football

In 2014, Carter was a guest coach for the Grey Cup champion, Saskatchewan Roughriders.

From 2015 to 2017, Carter was the defensive backs coach for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. The Stampeders had the best defense and pass defense for all three seasons. They reached the Grey Cup championship game in both 2016 and 2017.

On January 3, 2018, Carter was named the defensive coordinator for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He later became a team scout for personal reasons.

Coaching High School Football

In 2011, Carter coached cornerbacks at Valley High School in West Des Moines. The team won the state 4A championship that year.

Carter coached for Valley High School again in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, they had a perfect 13-0 record and reached another State championship.

Coaching in European League of Football

On October 11, 2022, Carter was named the head coach and defensive coordinator of the Cologne Centurions in the European League of Football. He left the team on March 17, 2023.

Personal Life

Kahlil Carter was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School. In 2000, he earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in French from the University of Arkansas. In 2014, he received a Master of Public Administration from Drake University.

Carter is one of the founding members of the ABH chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He has over 10 years of experience helping and guiding young people. Kahlil is married to Courtney and they have four daughters: Briana, Brooklyn, Mya, and Belize.