Qadry Ismail facts for kids

Qadry Rahmadan Ismail, born on November 8, 1970, is a former American football player. People called him "the Missile" because he was so fast! He played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the NFL, he was an amazing college player for the Syracuse Orange. He was even named an All-American in 1991, which means he was one of the best college players in the country. The Minnesota Vikings picked him in the 1993 NFL draft. Qadry also played for other teams like the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, and Indianapolis Colts. He even won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens!

Early Life and High School Sports

Qadry Rahmadan Ismail was born in Newark, New Jersey, on November 8, 1970. His parents are Ibrahim and Fat'ma Ismail. In 1985, Qadry moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to live with his grandmother. He went to Elmer L. Meyers Junior/Senior High School there.

At Meyers High School, Qadry and his older brother, Raghib, received a special award. They were the first to get the Martin Luther King Youth Leadership Award. This award came from the local chapter of the NAACP. Qadry was not just a football player; he was also a talented track athlete.

Track and Field Achievements

Qadry was a top high school hurdler in the nation in 1988. Track & Field News ranked him as the best. He won first place in the 110-meter high hurdles at the Golden West Invitational. He also helped his track team win two state championships.

He was a six-time state champion in Pennsylvania (PIAA AA). He won titles in the 110-meter high hurdles, 300-meter intermediate hurdles, and the 4 × 100 relay. He also earned two silver medals and one bronze medal at the state championships. Qadry won 12 district championships and helped his team win four district titles.

Football Success in High School

On the football field, Qadry was chosen as an All-scholastic player twice. He played both as a wide receiver and a defensive back. He was later inducted into the PIAA Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 1988, both The Citizens' Voice and the Times Leader named him their Athlete of the Year.

College Career at Syracuse

After high school, Qadry Ismail went to Syracuse University. He was a member of both the football team and the track team. Qadry was a very special athlete at Syracuse. He was the first person since Jim Brown in 1957 to be an All-American in two different sports.

College Track and Field

As part of the Syracuse Orange track and field team, Qadry was an All-American. He excelled in the indoor 55-meter hurdles and the outdoor 110-meter hurdles. He also won championships in both hurdle events and the 4 × 400 relay in the Big East Conference. Qadry even set new school records for Syracuse University in the 55-meter hurdles and the 4x400 relay.

College Football Highlights

For the football team, Qadry was recognized as an All-American in 1991. This was for his skills as a kick returner. He was also a first-team All-Big East player as both a wide receiver and a kickoff returner. He was also a second-team All-Big East selection as a wide receiver.

Professional Football Journey

Qadry Ismail was chosen by the Minnesota Vikings in the 1993 NFL draft. He was the 52nd player picked overall. This made him the highest-drafted player from Syracuse since Moose Johnston.

In 1999, The Citizen’s Voice newspaper listed him as number 22 on their list of the top 100 athletes.

Winning the Super Bowl

In 1999, Qadry played for the Baltimore Ravens. He was a key player, leading the team with 68 catches, 1,105 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns. In one game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had an amazing 258 receiving yards, which was his career high.

One of the biggest moments in Qadry's career happened on January 28, 2001. The Baltimore Ravens played against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens won the game 34–7. Qadry caught a 47-yard pass in that game and earned his first Super Bowl ring.

In 2002, Qadry signed a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. He played as a second wide receiver, alongside the famous Marvin Harrison.

Life After Football

After he stopped playing in the NFL, Qadry Ismail started a career in broadcasting. He worked for different sports networks like Comcast Sports Net, BET, and ESPN. Later, he became part of the Ravens’ broadcast team, sharing his knowledge of the game. In March 2017, he became a color commentator for the Baltimore Brigade, a team in the Arena Football League.

Family and Coaching

Qadry Ismail comes from a family of talented athletes. His brother is Raghib "The Rocket" Ismail, and another brother is Sulaiman "The Bomb" Ismail. Qadry has three children with his former wife, Holly Oslander Ismail: Qalea, Qadry, and Qadir.

Qadry works as a sports performance coach at the Sports Factory in Bel Air, Maryland. His program is called "Missile Training." He helps many young athletes improve their fitness and speed.

From 2011 to 2019, Qadry was the head coach for the boys' track and field team at Patterson Mill High School. His daughter, Qalea, plays basketball for Princeton University. His son, Qadry, started playing wide receiver at Mercyhurst University in 2017. Another son, Qadir, signed to play quarterback at Villanova in December 2017, then transferred to Samford. Qadir is currently a tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders.