25 Facts About Rhett Ellison

Rhett Marshall Ellison was born on October 3,1988 and is a former American football tight end and fullback who played seven seasons in the National Football League.

Rhett Ellison played college football at USC and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Rhett Ellison played for the New York Giants for three seasons.

Rhett Ellison was recruited by several BCS conference programs and, beside USC, received athletic scholarship offers from Arizona State, Cal, Oregon and Virginia Tech.

Rhett Ellison committed to USC on February 6,2007, the day before National Signing Day, a part of a recruiting class that ranked in the top two in the country in 2007.

Rhett Ellison redshirted the 2007 season, his freshman year with the Trojans.

Rhett Ellison started the UCLA and Penn State games at fullback and split time between there and tight end in those games.

Rhett Ellison broke his right foot prior to the Oregon game and missed those next 4 contests while recuperating.

In 2009, Rhett Ellison appeared in all 13 games, serving as a regularly used backup tight end while making plays on special teams as a sophomore.

Rhett Ellison was invited to the 2012 NFL Combine as a fullback.

Rhett Ellison was taken in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, 128th pick overall, by the Minnesota Vikings.

Rhett Ellison was not expecting to be drafted, and as such was on a river excursion and not watching the draft when the Vikings called him to let him know he was about to be selected; the surprise was such that he cried in joy.

Rhett Ellison is the second player of Maori heritage to play for the Vikings since David Dixon.

On November 24,2013, Rhett Ellison scored his first career touchdown catch against the Green Bay Packers.

Rhett Ellison scored the third tight end rushing touchdown in franchise history in 2016.

On March 10,2017, Rhett Ellison signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the New York Giants.

Rhett Ellison started the year as the backup tight end to Evan Engram.

On December 27,2019, Rhett Ellison was placed on injured reserve with a concussion.

Rhett Ellison finished the season with 18 catches for 167 yards and one touchdown through 10 games.

On March 9,2020, Rhett Ellison announced his retirement from football.

Rhett Ellison is the son of three-time Super Bowl champion Riki Ellison, a former USC and NFL linebacker.

Rhett Ellison is of partial Maori, specifically Ngai Tahu, descent and is the grandnephew of the first captain of the All Blacks, Thomas Rhett Ellison, who led New Zealand on their first tour to Australia in 1893.

Rhett Ellison is related to former New Zealand rugby union players Jacob Ellison and Tamati Ellison.

Rhett Ellison completed a bachelor's degree in international relations from USC and a master's degree in communication management.

Rhett Ellison is married to fashion model Raina Hein, runner-up of season 14 of America's Next Top Model, and have two children together.