Rashid Khalil Shaheen is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 31, 1998, in Phoenix, Arizona, Shaheed attended Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego before playing college football at Weber State from 2017 to 2021. After being undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and quickly established himself as a dynamic playmaker. Shaheed earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2023 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in both 2023 and 2025. Midway through the 2025 season, the Saints traded Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks, where he contributed to the team winning Super Bowl LX.
Rashid Shaheed Bio
Rashid Khalil Shaheed is a professional football player who has made his mark in the NFL as both a wide receiver and return specialist. Standing 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 185 pounds, Shaheed has built a reputation for his exceptional speed, agility, and ability to make big plays in the return game. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a two-time Pro Bowl selection demonstrates his persistence and exceptional talent on the football field.
Early Life and Background
Rashid Shaheed grew up in a family steeped in track and field excellence. His father, Haneef, was a sprinter at Arizona State University, while his mother, Cossandra, competed in the 400-meter hurdles at the University of San Diego. Shaheed and his sisters, Aysha and Amirah, followed the family’s athletic tradition, with Shaheed posting competitive results in track events during his youth.
Despite his parents’ initial preference for track and field, Shaheed convinced them to allow him to play football as well. He attended Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego, California, from 2013 to 2016, where he played both receiver and running back. He produced 3,748 total yards and 24 touchdowns during his high school career while also winning San Diego section titles in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes.
Shaheed initially planned to attend the University of Southern California on a track and field scholarship but ultimately decided to pursue football full-time, committing to Weber State to continue his football career while still competing in track.
Path to American Football
Shaheed’s path to professional football included an impressive college career at Weber State University from 2017 to 2021. He became the only player in school history to earn All-American honors four times, establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in Wildcats history. Shaheed set the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) all-time record for career kickoff return touchdowns with seven, showcasing his special teams prowess that would later translate to the NFL.
During his college career, Shaheed demonstrated remarkable versatility, accumulating 5,478 all-purpose yards, which ranked third in Weber State history. He finished his collegiate career with 2,178 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns, ranking seventh in school history for receiving yards and 10th for career receptions with 147. His exceptional kick return average of 29.1 yards per return and third-place standing in career punt return yardage further highlighted his playmaking ability.
Rashid Shaheed Career
New Orleans Saints (2022–2025)
On May 2, 2022, Shaheed signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent. After being released during final roster cuts, he joined the team’s practice squad on August 31. The Saints signed Shaheed to the active roster on October 15, 2022. In his NFL debut on October 16, Shaheed made an immediate impact, scoring a 44-yard rushing touchdown on his first career touch. Four days later against the Arizona Cardinals, he caught his first career pass, a 53-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Andy Dalton, demonstrating his big-play ability. As a rookie, Shaheed finished with 28 receptions for 488 yards and two receiving touchdowns to go along with one rushing touchdown.
Shaheed switched his jersey number from 89 to 22 before the 2023 season. In Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, he enjoyed a career-best performance, catching three passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in the 38–27 victory. He continued his strong play throughout the season, finishing 2023 with 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns. His exceptional performances earned him First-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection.
The 2024 season saw Shaheed tendered by the Saints as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. In July 2024, he agreed to a one-year, $5.2 million contract extension. However, his season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on October 17 after undergoing season-ending knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear. Prior to the injury, he led the league with 15.9 yards per punt return. He finished the 2024 campaign with 20 receptions for 349 yards and five touchdowns.
During the 2025 season with New Orleans, Shaheed recorded 44 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns in nine starts before his trade to Seattle. Earlier in the season, he scored a career-long 87-yard touchdown reception from Spencer Rattler in a 26–14 victory over the New York Giants.
Seattle Seahawks (2025–Present)
On November 4, 2025, the Saints traded Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for 2026 fourth and fifth-round draft picks. Shaheed quickly became an impact player for his new team. In Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, he returned the second-half opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. In Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams, Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown in a dramatic 38–37 comeback victory in overtime.
His exceptional 2025 season earned him his second Pro Bowl selection as a kick returner. Combined with his statistics from both teams that season, Shaheed recorded 59 receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns, along with a kick return touchdown and a punt return touchdown. Following the season, he played a role in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory on February 8, 2026, catching two passes for 27 yards in the 29–13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. On March 11, 2026, Shaheed signed a three-year, $51 million contract extension to remain with the Seahawks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shaheed’s game is built around his exceptional speed and elusiveness, qualities he developed through his track and field background. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field makes him a threat both as a receiver after the catch and as a return specialist. His quick acceleration allows him to reach top speed rapidly, creating separation from defenders and making him a constant big-play threat whenever he touches the ball.
Notable Events and Milestones
Shaheed’s NFL career has been marked by several memorable moments. His instant impact as a rookie, scoring on his first career touch, set the tone for his career. His 2023 First-team All-Pro selection validated his status as one of the league’s top return specialists. The 2025 season brought added accomplishments, including his game-changing kickoff return for a touchdown in the Divisional Round playoff victory over the San Francisco 49ers and his contribution to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl championship.
Rashid Shaheed Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Shaheed has established himself as one of the most productive receivers and return specialists in the league. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game has made him a valuable asset for both the Saints and Seahawks.
NFL Highlights
Shaheed’s professional career statistics include 153 career receptions for 2,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 192 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. As a return specialist, he has accumulated 2,336 return yards and five return touchdowns. His standout season came in 2023 when he earned First-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection after catching 46 passes for 719 yards and five touchdowns. His 2025 season combined his work with both teams, where he totaled 59 receptions for 687 yards and two touchdowns while also scoring via kick and punt returns.
College and High School Achievements
Before his NFL success, Shaheed built an impressive resume at Weber State, where he became the only four-time All-American in school history. He set the FCS all-time record for career kickoff return touchdowns with seven and averaged 29.1 yards per kickoff return during his collegiate career. His high school career at Mt. Carmel included 3,748 total yards and 24 touchdowns, along with San Diego section titles in the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes.
Rashid Shaheed Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Rashid Shaheed comes from an exceptionally athletic family with deep roots in track and field. His father, Haneef, was a sprinter at Arizona State University, while his mother, Cossandra, competed in the 400-meter hurdles at the University of San Diego. Shaheed’s sisters, Aysha and Amirah, also pursued track and field, continuing the family’s athletic legacy. This environment fostered Shaheed’s development as an elite athlete and contributed to the speed and agility that define his professional football career.
Personal Life
Shaheed grew up split between his hometown of Phoenix and San Diego, where he attended high school. His athletic family background and the influence of his parents’ collegiate track careers shaped his early development. Despite his parents’ preference for track and field, Shaheed pursued his passion for football, eventually convincing them to support his dual-sport athletic pursuits. He maintains a presence on Instagram under the handle rashid.shaheed, though details about his current personal life remain private.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represented a transformative year for Shaheed. He began the year with the New Orleans Saints, where he recorded 44 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns through nine starts. His standout moment with the Saints came in Week 5 when he caught an 87-yard touchdown pass, the longest reception of his career, in a victory over the New York Giants.
The mid-season trade to the Seattle Seahawks on November 4, 2025, proved to be a turning point in his career. Shaheed immediately impacted his new team, returning a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons and adding a 58-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in a dramatic overtime win. His exceptional play earned him his second Pro Bowl selection and positioned him as a key contributor for a Super Bowl-caliber team.
The season culminated with the Seahawks winning Super Bowl LX, with Shaheed contributing two catches for 27 yards in the championship game. His performance throughout the season and into the playoffs demonstrated his ability to elevate his play in crucial moments. The Seahawks rewarded his contributions by signing him to a lucrative three-year extension in March 2026, securing his future with the organization and acknowledging his status as one of the league’s premier return specialists and playmaking receivers.