Haason Reddick

Haason Reddick's Biography

Born on September 22, 1994, Haason Samir Reddick is an acclaimed American footballer known for his commendable performances as a linebacker. He currently plays for the New York Jets, a team in the National Football League (NFL). Reddick’s first taste of professional football came when he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. During his professional football journey, Reddick also had stints with the Carolina Panthers and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Haason grew up in Haddon Heights, New Jersey, where he attended the local Haddon Heights High School. During his high school years, Reddick played the roles of a safety and a running back for the Garnets, showcasing his versatile prowess on the football field. A fracture in his senior year limited Reddick to only four games, but he was undeterred in his pursuit of football excellence.

In 2012, Haason was admitted to Temple University as a walk-on player for the football team. Initially, he played as a running back and safety, similar to his high-school days. However, he was redshirted for the 2012 season and only began his gaming appearances in 2013.

During his final year in college in 2016, Reddick’s defensive end skills saw him rising to prominence. He was named First-team All-American Athletic Conference after recording an impressive 65 tackles and 10.5 sacks. His remarkable performance caught national attention and Haason accepted an invitation to participate in the 2017 Senior Bowl. He was moved to play as an inside linebacker where he garnered praise from team representatives and scouts for excelling in practice. His impressive performance and agility significantly raised his stock in the draft process, prompting his selection by the Arizona Cardinals during the 2017 NFL draft as the 13th pick.

Signing a fully guaranteed $13.4 million, four-year contract with the Cardinals, Haason’s professional journey began on an impressive note. His debut was marked by a commendable eight combined tackles in a match against the Detroit Lions. He also had his moment under the spotlight when he made his first career sack in a match against the San Francisco 49ers. This game saw Reddick getting ejected for his involvement in a skirmish, earning him a $9,115 fine.

In 2018, Haason played in 16 games and finished third on the team with a total of 80 tackles. The Cardinals, however, declined the fifth-year option on Reddick’s contract, making him a free agent in 2021. In the same year, Reddick made headlines by recording two sacks in a Week 6 match against the Dallas Cowboys and five sacks and three forced fumbles during a Week 14 match against the New York Giants. This feat earned him the title of NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

Moving onto the next chapter of his career, Haason signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 18, 2021, rejoining his former Temple coach Matt Rhule. After a year with the Panthers, Reddick found a new home with the Philadelphia Eagles, signing a lucrative three-year, $45 million contract.

Reddick’s tenure with the Eagles was marked by his impressive defensive presence, especially his memorable performance against the Washington Commanders with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. In the 2022 NFC Championship Game, Reddick forced a key fumble by 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, a play that subsequently led to Purdy’s injury and the Eagles’ victory.

Despite losing in the Super Bowl game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Reddick gave an admirable performance, making one critical tackle. On April 1, 2024, Haason was traded to the New York Jets as a further testament to his growing stature and demand in the NFL. A contract dispute with the Jets led to Reddick requesting a trade. However, the team remained firm on their stance, insisting that Reddick would continue to be fined according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) if he failed to report.

Beyond his football career, Haason showcased his vocal talent, contributing to the 2022 Christmas album, “A Philly Special Christmas,” reinforcing his versatility not only on the field but off it too.