From overlooked recruit to Super Bowl champion and touchdown scorer
In short: In 2009, B. J. Raji was not considered a top defensive tackle prospect. Yet, the man who would eventually break a record for the heaviest player to score a postseason touchdown became the defensive anchor for a championship-winning team.
Born in New York City on July 11, 1986, Busari Alamu Raji Jr. followed a path from high school standout to NFL star. Despite being ranked as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and overlooked by top prospects in the Class of 2004, Raji's talent eventually led him to Boston College. After a hiatus from the team in 2007 for academic reasons, he returned to anchor a defense that reached the 2008 Music City Bowl.
During the 2009 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers chose Raji as their ninth overall selection. His career saw significant shifts in role and impact. In 2010, he became the sole defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Dom Capers' 3–4 scheme, marking a breakout season where he started all 16 games and recorded 6.5 sacks. By 2011, he was being utilized as an additional fullback in goal line offenses, earning him the nickname "the Freezer."
Raji's most iconic moment occurred on January 23, 2011, during the NFC Championship Game. He intercepted a pass from Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown. This decisive score helped propel the Packers to victory in Super Bowl XLV, where they defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25.
Raji's professional journey included a Pro Bowl appearance in 2011 and a rare rushing touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 20, 2011. After seven seasons in the league, he announced his retirement in March 2016. While he initially described the move as a hiatus, he has remained retired as of 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: B. J. Raji
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