History of Ndamukong Suh in Timeline

Ndamukong Suh is a former American professional football defensive tackle. He was a unanimous All-American at the University of Nebraska before being drafted second overall by the Detroit Lions in 2010. Suh played 13 seasons in the NFL, also playing for the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. He reached the Super Bowl three times, with the Rams (LIII), Buccaneers (LV), and Eagles (LVII).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Nebraska Defensive Lineman Leading Tackles

In 1973, Suh became the first Nebraska defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles since 1973.

1982: Parents Met and Married

In 1982, Ndamukong Suh's parents, Bernadette (née Lennon) Suh and Michael Suh, met and married in Portland, Oregon, after Michael Suh was admitted to a Portland trade school.

January 6, 1987: Ndamukong Suh's Birth

On January 6, 1987, Ndamukong Ngwa Suh was born. He would later become a professional football player.

Others born on this day/year

1988: Neil Smith Selection

In 2010 NFL draft, Suh was the highest selected Cornhusker defender since Neil Smith in 1988.

1995: Luther Elliss Selection

In 2010 NFL draft, Suh became the first defensive lineman selected in the first round by the team since Luther Elliss in 1995.

1999: Interior Defensive Lineman Earning Honors

In 2008, Suh became the first Nebraska interior defensive lineman to earn those honors since Steve Warren in 1999.

2000: Al Lucas's Vertical Leap

At the NFL Combine, Suh had a 35+1⁄2 inch vertical leap, the highest for a defensive tackle since Al Lucas (36 in) in 2000.

2000: Dominic Raiola Receives Lombardi Award

In October 2009, Suh was selected one of four finalists for the 2009 Lombardi Award, the first Cornhusker to receive this honor since Dominic Raiola in 2000.

2004: District Shot Put Champion

In 2004, Ndamukong Suh was the district shot put champion.

2004: All-PIL Honors

In 2004, as a junior at Grant High School, Suh earned first-team All-PIL honors on both offense and defense.

January 20, 2005: Commits to Nebraska Cornhuskers

On January 20, 2005, Ndamukong Suh committed to the Nebraska Cornhuskers after taking official visits to several universities.

2005: OSAA Shot Put Title

In 2005, Ndamukong Suh won the OSAA Class 4A shot put title with a school-record throw of 18.71 meters.

2005: All-America Honors

In 2005, as a senior, Ndamukong Suh earned Parade magazine high school All-America honors and was named the 2004 Portland Interscholastic League Defensive Player of the Year.

2005: Freshman Season and Knee Surgery

In 2005, during his true freshman year at the University of Nebraska, Ndamukong Suh played in the first two games before undergoing knee surgery and receiving a medical redshirt.

2006: Freshman All-Big 12 Honors

In 2006, Suh played in all 14 games as a backup defensive lineman and earned freshman All-Big 12 honors from The Sporting News.

2006: Albert Haynesworth's Suspension

In a 2011 discussion about a potential suspension for Ndamukong Suh, Fox Sports analyst Mike Pereira referenced Albert Haynesworth's five-game suspension from 2006 for stomping on Andre Gurode's head.

2008: First-team All-Big 12 Honors

In 2008, as a junior, Ndamukong Suh recorded a team-high 76 tackles and earned First-team All-Big 12 honors.

October 2009: Midseason All-American Team Selection

In October 2009, Ndamukong Suh was named to The Sporting News and CBS Sports midseason All-American team.

December 7, 2009: Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner

On December 7, 2009, Ndamukong Suh was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and was named the 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner as the top defensive player in the nation.

2009: Crabtree's Contract Holdout

Before the 2010 NFL draft, Suh signed with Maximum Sports Management and agent Roosevelt Barnes, which caused concern due to Barnes representing Michael Crabtree, who had a lengthy contract holdout in the 2009 NFL season.

2009: Earning All-American Honors

In 2009, Ndamukong Suh earned unanimous All-American honors while playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

2009: Big 12 Championship Game MVP

In 2009, Ndamukong Suh registered 85 tackles and received game MVP honors for his performance in the Big 12 Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns, despite a 13–12 loss. He also earned unanimous first-team All-Big 12 honors and the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Suh was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, and received the Bill Willis Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, and Outland Trophy. He was also recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.

2009: Graduation from UNL College of Engineering

Ndamukong Suh graduated from the UNL College of Engineering in 2009 with a degree in construction management.

2009: College Football Career End

Ndamukong Suh played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team until 2009.

April 17, 2010: Donated to University of Nebraska

On April 17, 2010, at the annual Husker Spring Game, Ndamukong Suh announced a $2.6 million donation to the University of Nebraska, with a portion for athletics and an endowed scholarship for the College of Engineering.

November 7, 2010: Missed Extra Point Attempt

On November 7, 2010, after an injury to the Lions kicker, Jason Hanson, Suh attempted an extra point against the New York Jets but missed, hitting the right upright, which contributed to the Lions' 23–20 overtime loss.

2010: Led in Sacks

During the 2010 NFL season, Suh led the Lions, all rookies, and all defensive tackles in sacks with 10.

2010: Drafted into the NFL

In 2010, Ndamukong Suh was drafted by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

2010: Defensive Rookie of the Year

In 2010, during his time with the Lions, Suh was selected to four All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams and was awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year.

2010: Drafted by Detroit Lions

In the 2010 NFL draft, Ndamukong Suh was selected by the Detroit Lions as the second overall pick.

January 25, 2011: Named to the All-Pro Team

On January 25, 2011, Ndamukong Suh was named to the All-Pro Team.

2011: Pro Bowl Alternate

After the 2011 NFL season, Ndamukong Suh was named a Pro Bowl alternate for the NFC.

October 2012: Named NFL's "Least-Liked Player"

In October 2012, Ndamukong Suh was named the NFL's "Least-Liked Player" in a Forbes-publicized Nielsen report due to his aggressive style of play.

2012: Fine for Kicking Matt Schaub

During a Thanksgiving game in 2012, Ndamukong Suh kicked Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin, resulting in a $30,000 fine from the league.

2012: Participated in Fox's dating game show 'The Choice'

In 2012, Ndamukong Suh participated in Fox's dating game show "The Choice".

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2012: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2012, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 38th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 10, 2013: Nominated on Splash

Ndamukong Suh was nominated on Splash on March 10, 2013, and was eliminated on the 2nd week of the show.

2013: Safety and Fine for Gesture

During Thanksgiving 2013, Ndamukong Suh sacked Matt Flynn in the end zone, forcing a safety, and was later fined $7,875 for a throat slash gesture during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2013: Rode Zamboni at Red Wings Playoff Game

During the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ndamukong Suh rode the Zamboni at Joe Louis Arena wearing a Detroit Red Wings jersey during the Red Wings' playoff series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

2013: Donated to Grant High School

In 2013, Ndamukong Suh donated $250,000 toward the effort to bring a turf field to Grant High School.

2013: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2013, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2014: Stepping on Aaron Rodgers' Calf

During the 2014 season, Ndamukong Suh stepped on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' calf in the regular-season finale, initially resulting in a one-game suspension, which was later overturned on appeal in favor of a $70,000 fine.

2014: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2014, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 11, 2015: Signed with the Miami Dolphins

On March 11, 2015, Ndamukong Suh signed a six-year, $114 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, including $60 million guaranteed. This deal made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.

2015: Forbes Estimated Annual Income

In 2015, Forbes estimated Ndamukong Suh's annual income at $38.5 million.

2015: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2015, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 24th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2015: Highest-Paid Defensive Player

In 2015, Suh became the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history after signing a six-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, worth over $114 million. He was later released after three seasons.

2016: Started all 16 games and named to Pro Bowl

During 2016, Ndamukong Suh started all 16 games, recorded 72 tackles, five sacks, and six passes defended and was named to his fifth Pro Bowl.

2016: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2016

In 2016, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 40th on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

2017: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2017

In 2017, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 55th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

March 14, 2018: Released by the Miami Dolphins

On March 14, 2018, Ndamukong Suh was released by the Miami Dolphins to free up salary cap space after playing three seasons with the team.

March 26, 2018: Signed with the Los Angeles Rams

On March 26, 2018, Ndamukong Suh signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams.

2018: Ranked in NFL Top 100 Players of 2018

In 2018, Ndamukong Suh was ranked 61st by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

May 23, 2019: Signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On May 23, 2019, Ndamukong Suh signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

2019: Flagged only five times during the 2019 season.

During the entire 2019 season, Ndamukong Suh was flagged only five times during the season.

2019: Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team

Ndamukong Suh finished the 2019 season with 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, four passes defended, four fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns and was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

March 26, 2020: Re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On March 26, 2020, Ndamukong Suh re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year contract.

2020: Finished 2020 season with the Buccaneers

Ndamukong Suh finished the 2020 season with 43 tackles, six sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble with the Buccaneers.

February 2021: Won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In February 2021, Ndamukong Suh won his first Super Bowl as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9 in Super Bowl LV. During the game, Suh recorded 1.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes.