Who is Raghib Ismail? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Raghib Ramadian Ismail, Rocket Ismail

Age: 55 Years, 55 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Melani Ismail (m. 1994)

father: Ibrahim Ismail

mother: Fatma Ismail

Born Country: United States

American Football Players American Men

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

U.S. State: New Jersey

More Facts

education: University Of Notre Dame

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College Career

Raghib Ismail gained popularity while he was playing as a receiver for the University of Notre Dame. The college team which was known as `The Fighting Irish` earned victory at the College Football National Championship in 1988. They came second in 1989, and in 1990, they won the 1990 Orange Bowl against Colorado. However, they lost the next year 10-9 against Colorado, in the 1991 Orange Bowl.

During this time at Notre Dame, he was also a track star. He is known to have run 100 meters in 10.2 seconds.

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Professional Career

Though he was the first overall selection in the 1991 NFL Draft, Raghib Ismail chose to sign a record with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League at the start of their 1991 season.

Ismail ended his first season at the 79th Grey Cup. He also recorded an 87 yard touchdown on a kick-off return due to which he was named Grey Cup Most Valuable Player, after his team Argonauts won the match against Calgary Stampeders by 36-21.

During his second season, he got involved in a brawl, against the Stampeders where he stomped on the helmeted face of a player of the opposing team. This forced Ismail to leave the CFL, and at the end of the season, he signed with the Los Angeles Raiders.

During his rookie season in the NFL, Raghib Ismail recorded 353 receiving yards. The following year, he recorded 513 receiving yards with five touchdowns. He played for three unremarkable seasons with the team, and in 1996, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers. Though the first two seasons with the Panthers were unremarkable, in 1998, he registered 69 receptions for 1024 yards with eight touchdowns. He was just two yards short of doubling his own highest career record.

He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 1999. In his first season, he became the leading wide receiver of the team, and also recorded his career-high performance of 1097 yards and six touchdowns.

In 2002, on 31st August, he was placed on the injured reserve list after he suffered a herniated disk in his neck, after he had a collision with one of his teammates, during a training camp. In March 2003, he eventually announced his retirement.

Other than football, he has appeared in several television game shows which includes `College GameDay`, `Cowboys Game Night`, `Pros vs Joes`, and `Ty Murray`s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge`.

In 2008, he was also a coach for the Bouncers, one of the six teams that compete in a sport called SlamBall.

Family & Personal Life

Raghib Ismail was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on 18th November, in 1969. He did his schooling at Elmer L Meyers Junior High School.

Though he was born in a Muslim family, he converted to Christianity after his father passed away when he was still a child, and he lived with his grandmother, as his grandmother was a devout Christian.

He is married to Melanie Ismail. The couple has four children. One of his sons, Raghib Ismail Jr., is also a footballer, who plays for the team of the University of the Wyoming.

Raghib Ismail is also a motivational speaker and speaks at schools, churches and corporations.

Raghib Ismail Biography