Haloti Ngata was a big, impactful NFL DT; Where is he now?
(BVM) – Hulking ex-NFL defensive tackle Haloti Ngata wreaked havoc down in the trenches for years. For 13 seasons, he dominated at the line of scrimmage. Now at 38 years old, he is retired and living life away from the game. What is he up to these days?
Ngata was born in Southern California. His parents were originally from the island of Tonga. Eventually, the family settled in Utah.
Rugby to football
The unusually large kid who grew to be 6-foot-4 and 350 pounds became a rugby star at Highland High School in Salt Lake City. His squad went on to win a national title.
However, he would finally settle on football, a natural fit. Ngata found his way to play for the University of Oregon. He captured a 2005 consensus All-America spot. Plus he added the 2005 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year. That season he finished with 61 tackles, nine for loss along with three sacks. Then the NFL came calling.
NFL career
Ngata was taken in the 1st round of the 2006 NFL Draft, 12th overall by the Baltimore Ravens. He made a quick impact, getting picked for the 2006 NFL All-Rookie team. During his nine-year run with the Ravens, Ngata notched five Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro picks. Last year he earned a place in the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor.
Haloti Ngata was so good for the Ravens for such a long time pic.twitter.com/1V7ET7Q880
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) June 18, 2021
The super-sized specimen was a difference-maker for much of his career. He logged 517 combined tackles and 32.5 sacks over 13 NFL seasons. In 2013 he helped Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory (XLVII).
In March 2015, Baltimore dealt him to the Detroit Lions. Ngata battled some injuries during the next few seasons. He wasn’t nearly the same dominant force. Three years later in March 2018, he signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. His one-year deal expired and that concluded his NFL career.
Life away from the game
Now Ngata pays it forward. He credits his mom as a major part of his success in school. Ten years ago, he founded Haloti Ngata Foundation. He’s been holding his fundraising luaus — since the beginning of his pro career. In years’ past, his fundraising efforts would benefit the Ofa Ngata College Preparation Fund — named in honor of his mother.
Away from the game, he’s married to his wife Christina and they have four kids, all boys. They live in Park City, Utah. He stays busy with the boys and all of their activities. Ngata also adopted pickleball as a hobby. In addition, he’s an avid hunter and fisherman.
It sounds like retirement is treating him well.
