Calais Campbell

Calais Campbell: biography

Calais Campbell is an American football player who currently plays as a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL).

Childhood and youth

Calais Campbell was born on September 1, 1986, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Nate and Nateal Campbell. He grew up in a family of athletes, as both his parents were track and field athletes in college, and his older brother Jared Campbell played football at Notre Dame.

Campbell's family moved to Colorado Springs when he was young, and he attended South High School, where he played football and basketball. As a football player, he was a standout defensive end and was named the Colorado Springs Metro Player of the Year as a senior.

After graduating from high school, Campbell enrolled at the University of Miami, where he continued his football career. He played for the Miami Hurricanes from 2004 to 2007 and was a standout player on the defensive line. During his senior year, he was named a First-Team All-American and was a finalist for several national awards.

Throughout his childhood and youth, Campbell was known for his size and athleticism. He was also known for his work ethic and dedication to improving his skills, which helped him become a successful athlete at every level of competition. Campbell has credited his parents and older brother for instilling a love of sports and a strong work ethic in him from a young age, which helped him achieve success both on and off the field.

Football career

Calais Campbell's professional football career began in 2008 when he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the NFL Draft. In his rookie season, Campbell played in all 16 regular-season games and recorded 28 tackles and two sacks. He quickly established himself as a key player on the Cardinals' defensive line, and his performance earned him a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Over the course of the next several seasons, Campbell continued to improve and became one of the best defensive linemen in the league. He was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2015, and 2017) and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2017. In 2016, Campbell had a career-high 8.0 sacks, and he finished his career with the Cardinals with 56.5 sacks, 420 tackles, and 10 forced fumbles.

In 2017, Campbell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a free agent, and he immediately made an impact on the team's defense. He recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks and was named a First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. He also helped lead the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game, where they lost to the New England Patriots.

Campbell continued to play at a high level in Jacksonville over the next two seasons, recording 25.0 sacks and 123 tackles in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, he was named to his fifth Pro Bowl and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his charitable work off the field.

In 2020, Campbell was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, where he continued to be a dominant force on the defensive line. He finished the season with 4.0 sacks and 28 tackles, and he helped lead the Ravens to the playoffs.

Campbell inked a two-year, $12.5 million contract extension with the Ravens on April 9, 2021. He made a crucial play in Week 14 by blocking a field goal that helped the Ravens secure a narrow 16-14 victory against the Steelers, earning him the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. However, the Ravens decided to part ways with Campbell on March 13, 2023, leaving the talented defensive lineman on the lookout for a new team.

Calais Campbell signed the contract with the Atlanta Falcons on March 29, 2023.

Throughout his career, Campbell has been known for his size, strength, and versatility on the defensive line. He is capable of playing both defensive end and defensive tackle, and he has been a disruptive force against both the run and the pass. He is also known for his leadership both on and off the field and has been a mentor to many younger players throughout his career.

Off the field, Campbell is known for his philanthropic work. He established the CRC Foundation in 2010 to provide support and resources to young people in his hometown of Denver, Colorado, and he has been involved in numerous other charitable causes throughout his career. In recognition of his work, he was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2019, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an NFL player.

Personal life

Campbell is also a family man and has been married to his wife, Rocio, since 2017. The couple has a son together, they are known for their strong family values. Campbell has credited his family with helping him stay grounded and focused throughout his career and has said that he hopes to be a positive role model for his children and for young people in his community.

Off the football field, Calais Campbell is known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to improving his community. He established the CRC Foundation in 2010 to provide support and resources to young people in his hometown of Denver, Colorado, and he has been involved in numerous other charitable causes throughout his career.

In addition to his work with the CRC Foundation, Campbell has been involved in a number of other charitable causes, including the NFL's Play 60 campaign, which encourages children to be active for at least 60 minutes a day, and the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides support and resources to injured veterans.

In his free time, Campbell enjoys playing video games and spending time with his family. He is also an avid traveler and has visited many countries around the world, including China, Australia, and several countries in Europe. He has said that he enjoys learning about different cultures and experiencing new things, both on and off the football field.

Achievements and accomplishments

Calais Campbell has had a successful career in the NFL, and he has received many accolades and awards for his performances on the field. Here are some of his notable accomplishments and achievements:

• 5-time Pro Bowler (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019)
• 2-time Second-Team All-Pro (2011, 2013)
• NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
• Career stats: 713 tackles, 104.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, 3 touchdowns
• Blocked 21 field goals in his career, an NFL record
• 1-time First-Team All-Pro (2017)
• Helped lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game in 2017
• Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award (2019)
• NFL Alumni Defensive Lineman of the Year (2019)
• Became the first player in NFL history to record a sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovery in each of his first two games with a new team (Baltimore Ravens) in 2020
• Arizona Cardinals Ring of Honor inductee (2020)