Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Terrell Suggs

How Terrell Suggs built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Terrell Suggs, nicknamed "T-Sizzle", is a retired American NFL linebacker. A unanimous All-American at Arizona State, he was drafted 10th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. Suggs is the Ravens' all-time sack leader and played 17 seasons in the NFL, also spending time with the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Attended Arizona State University

In 2000, Terrell Suggs began attending Arizona State University, where he played as a defensive end for the Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

2002: College Football Accolades

In 2002, Terrell Suggs set an NCAA single-season record with 24 sacks. Following his junior season, he was named a first-team All-Pac-10 selection, the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, won the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Ted Hendricks Award, and the Vince Lombardi Award, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.

2003: Defensive Rookie of the Year

In 2003, Terrell Suggs tied an NFL record by posting a sack in each of his first four games and finished the season with 12 sacks, earning him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

2003: Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens

In 2003, Terrell Suggs was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round as the 10th overall pick, marking the beginning of his NFL career.

2004: First Pro Bowl Selection

In 2004, Terrell Suggs was elected to his first Pro Bowl after recording 10.5 sacks and 60 tackles.

2005: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

In 2005, during Week 13, Terrell Suggs earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Houston Texans.

2006: Part of NFL's Best Overall Defense

In 2006, Terrell Suggs was a part of the NFL's best overall defense with the Baltimore Ravens, a unit that allowed a league-low 12.6 points per game. Suggs recorded 64 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and set a career-high in pass deflections.

2007: Season Performance

In 2007, Terrell Suggs recorded 80 tackles and five sacks, as the Ravens' performance declined, finishing with a 5-11 record.

February 19, 2008: Ravens Franchise Tag

On February 19, 2008, the Baltimore Ravens placed the franchise tag on Terrell Suggs, leading to a grievance due to his position designation.

May 13, 2008: Franchise Tag Agreement

On May 13, 2008, Terrell Suggs reached an agreement with the Baltimore Ravens to split the difference in the franchise tag amounts of a LB and a DE and drop his grievance.

2008: Pick Six and Pro Bowl Selection

In 2008, Terrell Suggs intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week, intercepted another pass against the Cleveland Browns for a touchdown and was named to his third Pro Bowl.

February 18, 2009: Franchise Tagged Again

On February 18, 2009, Terrell Suggs was franchise tagged by the Ravens for the second consecutive year.

July 15, 2009: Signed 6-year contract

On July 15, 2009, Terrell Suggs signed a 6-year, $62.5 million contract with the Ravens, becoming the highest-paid linebacker in NFL history at the time based on bonus money.

2009: Injury and Sacking Tom Brady

In 2009, Terrell Suggs recorded a career-low in sacks (4.5), missed the first three games of his career due to injury, but sacked and forced a fumble from Tom Brady in the Wild Card Round against the New England Patriots.

2010: Playoff Performance and Pro Bowl Nomination

In 2010, Terrell Suggs compiled 68 tackles and 11.5 sacks. In the playoff win over the Kansas City Chiefs, he made four tackles and two sacks, and in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers he recorded a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble. He also earned his fourth Pro Bowl nomination.

2011: Defensive Player of the Week

In 2011, Terrell Suggs started his best season with a Defensive Player of the Week-winning performance against the Steelers, recording three sacks and two forced fumbles in a 35-7 victory.

February 4, 2012: NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award

On February 4, 2012, Terrell Suggs was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, a major achievement in his career.

October 20, 2012: Return from Injury

On October 20, 2012, Terrell Suggs was removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and played against the Houston Texans, less than six months after Achilles tendon surgery. He finished the game with four tackles, one pass defended, and one sack, surprising many with his quick recovery.

November 2012: Expected Return from Injury

In November 2012, Terrell Suggs was expected to return from his torn Achilles tendon injury. However, he returned earlier than expected.

2012: Super Bowl XLVII win

In 2012, Terrell Suggs won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens, securing his first Super Bowl ring.

2013: 2013 Season Performance

During the 2013 season, Terrell Suggs started all 16 games and recorded 80 tackles and ten sacks.

2013: Super Bowl XLVII Win

In 2013, Terrell Suggs and the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 34-31, giving Suggs his first Super Bowl ring.

September 13, 2015: Achilles Injury

On September 13, 2015, Terrell Suggs suffered a torn Achilles during the regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos, prematurely ending his 2015 season.

2016: 2016 Season Performance

In the 2016 season, Terrell Suggs appeared in 15 games, recorded 8.0 sacks, 28 tackles, four passes defended, and three forced fumbles, leading the team in sacks, forced fumbles, tackles-for-loss, and quarterback hits.

December 19, 2017: Seventh Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Terrell Suggs was named to his seventh Pro Bowl, adding to his list of accolades.

2018: 2018 Season Performance

In 2018, Terrell Suggs finished the season with seven sacks, 34 combined tackles, six passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders.