Ndamukong Suh facts for kids
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Suh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021
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| No. 90, 93, 74 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | January 6, 1987 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 313 lb (142 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Grant (Portland) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Nebraska (2005–2009) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2010 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2 | ||||||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||||||
Ndamukong Ngwa Suh (pronounced in-DAH-mə-kin SOO) is an American former professional football player. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Suh was known for his powerful play on the defensive line.
He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In 2009, he earned many top honors, becoming one of the most awarded college players ever. The Detroit Lions picked him second overall in the 2010 NFL draft.
Suh also played for the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. He reached the Super Bowl three times in his career. He won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Suh officially retired from the NFL on July 12, 2025.
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Early Life and Sports
Ndamukong Suh was born in Portland, Oregon, on January 6, 1987. He went to Grant High School in Portland. There, he was a star in four different sports. He played football, basketball, soccer, and competed in track and field.
In football, Suh played on both offense and defense as a lineman. As a senior, he had 65 tackles and 10 sacks. He was named a high school All-American by Parade. He also won the Portland Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004.
Suh was also a top track and field athlete. He was a champion in the shot put in 2004 and 2005. His best throw was a school record of 18.71 meters (61 feet, 4 inches). Many colleges wanted him to play football. He chose to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2005.
College Football Career
Suh played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team from 2005 to 2009. In his first year, 2005, he played in two games before needing knee surgery. He then took a "redshirt" year, meaning he didn't play but kept his eligibility.
In 2006, Suh played in all 14 games as a backup. He had 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks. By 2007, he was a starter in most games.
His junior year in 2008 was impressive. Suh led his team with 76 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He even scored two touchdowns from interceptions. He was named First-team All-Big 12.
Suh's senior year in 2009 was outstanding. He made 85 tackles and 12 sacks. He also broke up 10 passes and blocked three kicks. In the Big 12 Championship Game, he had 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
That year, Nebraska's defense was one of the best in the country. Suh won many major awards, including the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award. He also won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy. These awards recognized him as the best defensive player and best interior lineman in college football. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Professional Football Career
Suh was considered one of the best players available in the 2010 NFL draft. Experts called him a "dominating defensive tackle." He was chosen by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick.
Detroit Lions (2010–2014)
In August 2010, Suh signed a big contract with the Lions. In his first NFL game, he got his first sack. Later that season, he made his first NFL interception. He also scored his first NFL touchdown by recovering a fumble.
Suh had a great rookie year, leading all rookies with 10 sacks. He was chosen to start in the Pro Bowl. He also won several awards, including NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
During his time with the Lions, Suh was sometimes criticized for his aggressive playing style. He received several fines for actions on the field. For example, in 2011, he was suspended for two games for stomping on an opponent's arm. In 2012, he was fined for kicking a quarterback. In 2013, he received a large fine for a low block. Despite these incidents, he was a very effective player. He was named to the Pro Bowl multiple times and earned All-Pro honors.
Miami Dolphins (2015–2017)
In 2015, Suh signed a large contract with the Miami Dolphins. This made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time. He continued to be a strong player for the Dolphins.
He started all 16 games in 2015, recording 61 tackles and six sacks. In 2016, he had 72 tackles and five sacks, earning his fifth Pro Bowl selection. In 2017, he finished with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks. After three seasons, the Dolphins released Suh in March 2018.
Los Angeles Rams (2018)
In March 2018, Suh signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He had 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks that season. The Rams had a great year, finishing with a 13–3 record.
Suh helped the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII, his first Super Bowl appearance. They lost to the New England Patriots in a close game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019–2021)
Suh joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in May 2019. That season, he recovered two fumbles and returned them for touchdowns. This tied a Buccaneers team record. He was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
In 2020, Suh re-signed with the Buccaneers. He had six sacks that season. In February 2021, Suh and the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9. Suh had 1.5 sacks in the Super Bowl.
He re-signed with the Buccaneers again in 2021. He started all 17 games and had six sacks.
Philadelphia Eagles (2022)
On November 17, 2022, Suh signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in eight games for them. He helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII, his third Super Bowl appearance. The Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Retirement
After not playing for two seasons, Ndamukong Suh officially announced his retirement from the NFL on July 12, 2025.
Playing Style
Early in his career, Suh was known for his very aggressive playing style. He often received penalties and fines from the league. In his first four seasons, he was fined over $200,000 for his actions on the field. Some players even called him the "dirtiest player" in the NFL in a poll.
However, his teams often found his playing style very effective. As his career went on, he was flagged for fewer penalties. By 2019, he was flagged only five times for the entire season.
Personal Life
Ndamukong Suh's mother, Bernadette, is from Spanish Town, Jamaica. His father, Michael Suh, is from Cameroon. His father played semi-professional soccer in Germany and for the Cameroonian national team. They met and married in Portland, Oregon.
Suh has a degree in Construction Management from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He has said he wants to work in construction after his football career. His older sister, Odette, played soccer at Mississippi State University. She also played for the Cameroon women's national football team.
Suh is a fan of the English soccer team Arsenal F.C.. He has also appeared on TV shows like The Choice and Splash. Since the 2023 NFL season, Suh has worked as a football expert for Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
Donations and Endorsements
In 2010, Suh donated $2.6 million to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Part of his gift went to the school's sports programs. The rest created a scholarship for engineering students. In 2013, he also donated $250,000 to his old high school to help build a new turf field.
Suh also had endorsement deals with major companies. These included Nike, Subway, Dick's Sporting Goods, Omaha Steaks, and Chrysler.
Images for kids
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Suh playing in 2011
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Suh being interviewed after winning the NFC Championship
See also
In Spanish: Ndamukong Suh para niños
