From undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion in two seasons
In short: Rashid Shaheed did not follow the traditional path to NFL stardom. After bypassing a track scholarship at USC to play football, he entered the league as an undrafted free agent. His rapid ascent from the Saints' practice squad to a Super Bowl LX champion with the Seahawks is a testament to elite athleticism.
Raised in a family of athletes, Shaheed was born on August 31, 1998; his mother, Cossandra, ran 400 meter hurdles at the University of San Diego, and his father, Haneef, was a sprinter for Arizona State University. This pedigree was evident during his time at Mt. Carmel High School, where he won San Diego section titles in both the 200m and 400m.
Shaheed's collegiate career at Weber State was historic. He remains the only player in the school's history to earn All-American honors four times. During his tenure from 2017 to 2021, he set an FCS all-time record by recording seven career kickoff return touchdowns, including a 100-yard return against Northern Arizona in 2021.
After joining the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent, his professional journey began in May 2022. After a brief stint on the practice squad, he joined the active roster in October 2022, making an immediate impact with a 44-yard rushing touchdown in his debut. Despite facing a season-ending knee surgery in October 2024, he continued his momentum through a mid-season trade to the Seattle Seahawks in November 2025.
The transition proved highly successful. After joining the Seahawks, Shaheed contributed to their Super Bowl LX victory on February 8, 2026. His impact was underscored by his ability to produce in high-stakes moments, such as returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown in a 41–6 playoff victory against the San Francisco 49ers on January 17, 2026.
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