30 Facts About Tahir Whitehead

Tahir Whitehead played college football for Temple University, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Tahir Whitehead played four years for Temple from 2008 through 2011.

Tahir Whitehead was named a Second Team All-MAC selection following the season.

Tahir Whitehead attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana and completed all of the combine drills.

Tahir Whitehead posted faster times in the short shuttle, 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and three-cone drill.

Tahir Whitehead was ranked as the 21st-best outside linebacker prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.

Tahir Whitehead was the 18th linebacker selected in 2012 and was one of three Temple players, joining Bernard Pierce and Evan Rodriguez.

Tahir Whitehead caused a Hunter to fumble and the ball was recovered by Kassim Osgood in the first quarter.

Tahir Whitehead appeared mainly on special teams during his rookie season and finished with a total of 11 combined tackles and a forced fumble in 14 games and zero starts.

Tahir Whitehead returned to training camp in 2013 and competed against Ashlee Palmer, Travis Lewis, and Rocky McIntosh for the starting outside linebacker role that was left vacant after the departure of Justin Durant to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

Tahir Whitehead finished the 2013 season with nine combined tackles in 16 games and appeared solely on special teams.

New head coach Jim Caldwell named Tahir Whitehead the starting strongside linebacker to start the 2014 regular season.

On September 28,2014, Tahir Whitehead earned his first start at middle linebacker after Stephen Tulloch tore his ACL while celebrating a sack the previous week.

Tahir Whitehead finished the 2014 season with 86 combined tackles, two interceptions and five pass deflections in 16 games and 15 starts.

Tahir Whitehead was ranked the 14th-best inside linebacker by Pro Football Focus for 2014.

Tahir Whitehead competed with Stephen Tulloch for the starting middle linebacker role after he was impressive while replacing him in 2014.

Tahir Whitehead finished with 50 combined tackles, a career-high two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, and a career-high six pass defenses.

Tahir Whitehead played in 16 games and started the last eight at outside linebacker.

Tahir Whitehead entered training camp slated as the starting middle linebacker after Stephen Tulloch departed during the offseason.

Tahir Whitehead missed the Lions' Week 13 victory at the New Orleans Saints after suffering a knee injury.

Tahir Whitehead had a breakout 2016 season and finished with a career-high 132 combined tackles and five pass deflections in 15 games and 15 starts.

Tahir Whitehead started the 2017 season at weakside linebacker after the Detroit Lions selected Jarrad Davis is the first round of the 2017 NFL draft and anointed him starting middle linebacker.

Tahir Whitehead finished the 2017 season with 120 combined tackles, two pass deflections, a sack, and an interception in 16 games and 16 starts.

On March 9,2020, Tahir Whitehead was released by the Raiders.

On March 23,2020, Tahir Whitehead signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.

Tahir Whitehead played in 14 games with nine starts recording 51 tackles, which was seventh on the team.

On November 2,2021, Tahir Whitehead was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.

On September 9,2022, Tahir Whitehead signed a one-day contract with the Detroit Lions to officially retire with the team.

Tahir Whitehead is the nephew of former NFL defensive end Willie Tahir Whitehead.

Tahir Whitehead is the older brother of Dariq Whitehead, a former 5-star recruit who played on the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2023 NBA draft.