Experienced NFL linebacker Shaquil Barrett arrived in Florida ahead of the 2019 NFL season. He signed a 1-year deal with the Bruce Arians-coached franchise after spending 4 years in the AFC with the Denver Broncos.
He was playing on a franchise tag in 2020 and was crucial for the Buccaneers as they made their way to the Super Bowl LV title. Along with the likes of Devin White, Lavonte David, and Ndamukong Suh, Barrett played an important role en route to their Super Bowl triumph earlier this year.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 7, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (58) during the third quarter of Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
He ended the 2020 NFL season with 12 sacks, including 4 in the NFL Playoffs. The former Colorado State player was rewarded for his stunning displays with a bumper extension worth $72 million (including $36 million in guarantees).
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Shaquil Barrett signs multi-year extension with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In light of his recent multi-million dollar extension, let’s take a look at some of the more unknown aspects of Shaquil Barrett and his NFL career thus far.
10. Shaquil Barrett went to boarding school as a child along with his brother to avoid growing up in the tough neighborhood in Maryland, Baltimore.
9. He was not a guaranteed starter while playing for the Broncos between 2014-18.
8. Shaq married high-school sweetheart Jordana when he was just 19. They have 3 kids together, 2 boys and 1 girl.
7. Shaquil and his brother Kavon attended Division- II college at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He played football while his brother was part of the wrestling team.
6. He started his college football career as a walk-on. His coaches switched him from the D-line to inside linebacker. By his 4th week, Barrett bagged the Defensive Player of the Week award.
5. Shaq was undrafted at the 2014 NFL Draft.
4. Shaquil Barrett was named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2013. He ranked 5th in the nation with 12 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss.
3. Shaq and Jordanna Barrett have started a foundation for foster children.
My wife, Jordanna, and I are so proud and excited to launch The Fifty50 Foundation! We are dedicated to serving children in the foster care system. I’m also excited to showcase the foundation and cause for this year’s #MCMC w/ the @nfl, this week w/ the @buccaneers #TGBTG pic.twitter.com/kfHcX8vBoD
— Shaquil Barrett (@ShaquilBarrett) December 8, 2020
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2. Shaq almost equaled the all-time NFL sack record held by Michael Strahan (21.5) in 2019. He finished the season with 19.5 sacks.
1. Shaquil Barrett had a 40-yard dash timing of 4.73s during the 2014 NFL combine.
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Well, hope you have learned something new about the 28-year-old superstar. Keep an eye out for Shaq when the season starts in September. He is definitely going to be a force to reckon with as the Buccaneers aim to defend their Super Bowl LV title.
ALSO READ- ‘Definitely Want Everybody Back’- Lavonte David Aiming to Repeat Super Bowl Heroics
