Nat Berhe facts for kids
Berhe with the New York Giants in 2017
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | July 6, 1991 Fontana, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Colton (Colton, California) | ||||||||
| College: | San Diego State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2014 / Round: 5 / Pick: 152 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Natnael Sabhato Berhe (born July 6, 1991) is an American former professional football player. He played as a safety. The New York Giants picked him in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL draft. Before joining the NFL, he played college football at San Diego State University.
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Early Life and High School Football
Nat Berhe was born in Fontana, California. He went to Colton High School. His mother, Judy, is African American. His father, Berhe Asfaha, came from Eritrea in 1970. When Nat was young, his family owned a gas station.
Nat played two years of varsity football. He was a defensive back and a running back. He also earned awards in track and field. Nat was a member of the honor society too. In his senior year, he became a team captain for the Colton Yellow Jackets.
During his senior year, he made 47 tackles and had one interception. He also ran the ball 32 times for 182 yards. His best game was against Cajon High, where he made 11 tackles. His great performance earned him a spot on the All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) defensive team.
College Football Career
Becoming a College Player
Experts ranked Nat Berhe as the 47th best safety in California. They also said he was the 83rd best player overall in the state. He was about five feet, eleven inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. He had a good grade point average of 2.9.
Many colleges wanted him to play for them. He received scholarship offers from San Diego State, the University of Minnesota, the University of New Mexico, and UTEP.
Playing for San Diego State
Nat Berhe decided to join the San Diego State Aztecs football team. In 2009, he was a redshirt freshman, meaning he practiced but didn't play in games. In 2010, he played in 12 games. He first played on defense and special teams against Nicholls State, making one tackle.
Later that year, against the New Mexico State Aggies, he had seven tackles. He also recovered a fumble on special teams, which helped the Aztecs score a touchdown. Nat made his first college interception against Utah State. He returned it 10 yards. He started his first game against the 23rd-ranked Air Force team. He helped the Aztecs win that game.
In 2011, his second year playing, Nat started all 13 games. Against Michigan, he made his second career interception. He finished that game with six tackles. He had his most tackles in a game against Wyoming, with eight. Later, against Colorado State, Nat forced his first fumble and made another interception. His play earned him the Mountain West co-defensive Player of the Week award. In a game against Louisiana-Lafayette, he had a career-high 10 tackles.
In 2013, his final year with the Aztecs, Nat Berhe was named a team captain. He had seven tackles and a fumble recovery against Northern Illinois. He also recovered another fumble against Oregon State. When the Aztecs played Air Force, he made 14 tackles. He got his first career sack against New Mexico.
Later that year, against San Jose State, he returned a blocked kick 56 yards. He finished the year with a career-high 99 tackles. He also tied for the most fumble recoveries on the team with two. At the end of the year, he was chosen as a first-team All-Mountain West player.
Nat finished his college career having played in 51 games and starting 41 of them. He made 299 tackles, one sack, and forced one fumble. He also recovered four fumbles and had five interceptions.
Professional Football Career
Joining the New York Giants
The New York Giants picked Nat Berhe in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the 152nd player chosen overall. This made him the first player of Eritrean-American background to be drafted into the NFL.
After his first preseason game, where he made three tackles and forced a fumble, Giants coach David Merritt gave him the nickname "The Missile." Nat said he learned a lot from older players like Quintin Demps and Antrel Rolle.
On September 5, 2015, Nat Berhe's 2015 season ended early. He was placed on the injured reserve list by the Giants. He had missed most of training camp because of a calf injury. This injury needed surgery to remove a blood clot.
Playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers
On April 4, 2018, Nat Berhe signed a contract to play with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Personal Life
Nat Berhe is the first player with Eritrean heritage (from his father's side) to be drafted into the NFL. He is also the cousin of former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith.
