 Ansah with theDetroit Lions in 2014 | |||||||||||||
| No. 94 | |||||||||||||
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| Position | Defensive end | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born | (1989-05-29)May 29, 1989 (age 36) Accra, Ghana | ||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight | 275 lb (125 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school | Presbyterian Boys' Secondary (Legon, Ghana) | ||||||||||||
| College | BYU (2010–2012) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2013: 1st round, 5th overall pick | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Ezekiel Nana "Ziggy"Ansah (born May 29, 1989) is aGhanaian former professionalAmerican footballdefensive end. Born inAccra, Ghana, he moved to the United States to attendBrigham Young University, where he playedcollege football for theBrigham Young Cougars. He was drafted by theDetroit Lions fifth overall in the2013 NFL draft.
Ansah grew up playing soccer and had never seen American football as a youth.[1] In addition to soccer, Ansah was also an enthusiastic basketball fan. He regularly played pickup basketball games at Golden SunbeamMontessori School where he attended from 4th grade to 9th grade. He developed his basketball interests and abilities on a turf donated by Forever Young Foundation (Steve Young). Ansah played on the Golden Sunbeam basketball team and became the most valuable player and led his team to win many games. Because of the school's basketball facility, attention was drawn from basketball enthusiasts includingmissionaries ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was at these pickup basketball games with missionaries and students that Ansah developed a friendship with a missionary. Ansah was later baptized a member of the church at age 18.[1][2] A missionary, who taught and baptized Ansah, kept in touch with Ansah after returning to the United States. The missionary later suggested that if he was serious about basketball, Ansah should come toBrigham Young University and try out for the basketball team.[1]
Ansah joined thePresbyterian Boys' Senior Secondary School, Legon in 2004. He studied business. During his stay in the school, Ansah actively participated in sports, playing an active role in the basketball team while also participating in track and field sports. During his stay in high school, he was a resident ofKwansa House. He graduated from high school in June 2007 and returned to Golden Sunbeam as a teaching assistant where, in his spare time, he trained the pupils in basketball.
Under Ansah's mentoring, the Golden Sunbeam basketball team won several tournaments while playing international schools in Ghana. When theWest African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results became public, Ansah had 7 A's and a B in his business program.
Ansah applied to and was accepted atBrigham Young University with the help and support of Golden Sunbeam and the assistance of his friend, former ICT teacher and mentor Alma Ohene-Opare, who was at BYU at the time. Ansah's academic records enabled him to receive an academic scholarship in 2008. Alma Ohene-Opare and later Ken Frei played critical roles in helping Ansah adjust to his new surroundings and culture in a new country. Ansah tried out for theBYU Cougars men's basketball team twice, but was cut from both the 2008 and 2009 teams.[1][3]
After facing rejection in basketball, Ansah successfully walked on to the BYU Cougars track team, where he ran a 10.91 in the100 meters in addition to clocking a time of 21.89 seconds in the200 meters.[4] Finally, Ansah was persuaded to try out for theBYU Cougars football team, successfully walked onto the team, and played for the Cougars from 2010 to 2012.
Unfamiliar with American football, Ansah had to be instructed in basic rules and techniques, even needing help getting on his pads for the first time.[5] Midway through the 2010 season, Ansah made his first collegiate appearance in the Cougars' game versusWyoming, where he recorded his first tackle. During the 2010 season he saw action in six games on special teams and the defensive line, recording three tackles and a pass breakup.[6]
The 2011 season was Ansah's fourth year in school, but only third year of eligibility. He played sporadically on third downs as a defensive end or outside linebacker, recording seven total tackles for the season.
For the 2012 season, Ansah resumed his role as a situation player. However, during week four, noseguard Eathyn Manumaleuna hurt his knee and Ansah took his place. Over the final nine games of the season, Ansah was third on the team in tackles (48), second in sacks (4.5) and first in tackles for loss (13).
For the 2012 season, the BYU Cougars led the nation in red zone defense (opponent red zone percentage of .62), was second in rushing defense (84.25 yards/game), third in 3rd down conversion percentage (27.71%) and total defense (allowing 26.33 yards/game), fourth in first down defense (14.83/game), and fifth in scoring defense (176 total points). Additionally, they were in the top 25 in passing defense (13th), quarterback sacks (22nd), fourth down conversion defense (23rd), and tackles for loss (25th).[7]
| Season | Team | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | Blkd | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Cmb | TfL | Yds | Sck | Yds | Int | Yds | BU | PD | QBH | FF | FR | Yds | Kick | Saf | |||
| 2010 | Brigham Young | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Brigham Young | 12 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | Brigham Young | 13 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 13 | 37 | 4.5 | 20 | 1 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career[6] | 31 | 39 | 33 | 72 | 13 | 37 | 4.5 | 20 | 1 | −2 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Ansah was not found on any of the 2012 preseasonmock drafts for the 2013 NFL draft. By mid-season, he had moved up from unlisted to the late-first round or early second round with many analysts calling him the sleeper pick of the draft.[8][9][10][11] Ansah further improved his draft stock with his "outstanding defensive player" outing in the 2013 Senior Bowl, where he recorded seven tackles (six solo), 1.5 sacks (for 13 yards), 3.5 tackles for loss (for 24 yards), a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.[12][13]
In March 2013, reports began to circulate questioning the accuracy of Ansah's age. His passport, however, shows his date of birth as May 29, 1989.[14]
Coming out of college, Ansah was projected by analysts and scouts to be a first round draft selection and was a consensus top 10 pick. He was ranked the top defensive end and the seventh best player by NFLDraftScout.com.[15] Although he was thought of as a raw talent who was a boom or bust prospect that lacked stamina, his large frame, size, quickness, athletic ability, consistency, and unparalleled length and foot speed made many feel he was too valuable to pass on.[16]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft5+1⁄4 in (1.96 m) | 271 lb (123 kg) | 35+1⁄8 in (0.89 m) | 10+1⁄4 in (0.26 m) | 4.63 s | 1.62 s | 2.66 s | 4.26 s | 7.11 s | 34+1⁄2 in (0.88 m) | 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) | 21 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[16] | ||||||||||||
Ansah was selected by theDetroit Lions in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the2013 NFL draft.[17][18] On May 10, 2013, the Detroit Lions signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year, $18.59 million contract with a signing bonus of $11.90 million.[19][20]
He entered training camp competing to be the right starting defensive end. In the first week of the preseason, Ansah intercepted Mark Sanchez and returned the ball 14 yards for the first score of the game.[21] Head coachJim Schwartz named him the backup right defensive end behindWillie Young to begin the regular season after his development was delayed due to a head injury he suffered in practice.[22][23]
He made his professional regular season debut in the Detroit Lions' season opener against theMinnesota Vikings, made three combined tackles and was credited with half a sack onChristian Ponder in a 34–24 victory.[24] On September 22, 2013, Ansah earned his first career start afterJason Jones was placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. He made a season-high seven combined tackles and sackedRobert Griffin III twice, one causing a fumble, in a 27–20 victory over theWashington Redskins.[25] He returned in Week 12 after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury. In Week 12, he recorded two solo tackles and sackedMike Glennon twice, as the Lions lost to theTampa Bay Buccaneers 24–20. The following week, he made three solo tackles and two sacks onMatt Flynn in a 40–10 victory over theGreen Bay Packers.[26]
Ansah finished hisrookie season with 32 combined tackles, 8 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and a pass deflection in 14 games and 12 starts. His eight sacks led all NFL rookies and ranked second in Lions' rookie history. He was named the Mel Farr Rookie of the Year, honouring the Detroit Lions' most outstanding rookie.[27] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[28]
He returned as the right defensive end in 2014 and was named the starting defensive end, by new head coachJim Caldwell, to begin the regular season. In the season opener against theNew York Giants, he recorded an assisted tackle and was credited with half a sack onEli Manning in a 35–14 victory. On October 12, 2014, Ansah made five combined tackles and was credited with a season-high 2.5 sacks onTeddy Bridgewater, as the Detroit Lions defeated theMinnesota Vikings 17–3. In Week 10, he racked up a season-high six solo tackles and had one sack onRyan Tannehill in a 20–16 win over theMiami Dolphins.[26] Ansah finished his second season with 49 combined tackles,7+1⁄2 sacks, and three forced fumbles in 16 games and 16 starts.
On January 4, 2015, Ansah started his first career playoff game and made two solo tackles and a sack onTony Romo in a 24–20 loss to theDallas Cowboys.[26]
Ansah started the Lions season opener against theSan Diego Chargers and made two solo tackles and a sack onPhilip Rivers in a 33–28 loss. The next game, Ansah recorded a season-high seven solo tackles and a sack in a 26–16 loss to theMinnesota Vikings.[26] On November 26, 2015, he racked up four combined tackles and was credited with a season-high 3 sacks onMark Sanchez, as the Lions routed thePhiladelphia Eagles 45–14.[29]
In the2015 season, Ansah made 47 combined tackles,14+1⁄2 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and a pass deflection in 16 games and 16 starts. He finished third in the league with14+1⁄2 sacks (J. J. Watt17+1⁄2,Khalil Mack 15) and passedWilliam Gay (13+1⁄2 sacks in 1983) for the second-most sacks in a season by a Lions defensive player since 1982, trailing onlyRobert Porcher (15.0) set in 1999. Ansah was named to thePro Bowl for the first time in his career.[30] On January 31, 2016, during the Pro Bowl, Ansah was a part of TeamIrvin and made one solo tackle in a 49–27 win over TeamRice.[26] He was ranked 43rd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[31]
On May 2, 2016, theDetroit Lions exercised the fifth-year option on Ansah's rookie contract that paid him $7.53 million for 2017.[19][32]
He started the Lions season opener against theIndianapolis Colts and made two combined tackles in a 39–35 victory. The following week against theTennessee Titans, Ansah injured his ankle on the second play of the game, and missed the next three games.[33] In a Week 9 victory over theMinnesota Vikings, Ansah racked up a season-high five solo tackles. On December 18, 2016, he recorded five combined tackles, including sackingEli Manning for Ansah's first sack of the season. He finished his season with 35 combined tackles and two sacks in 13 starts. The two sacks was a steep decline from the 14.5 he posted the previous year.[34]
TheDetroit Lions finished the year 9–7, and clinched a wild card spot. During thewild card round against theSeattle Seahawks, Ansah made five combined tackles and sackedRussell Wilson twice, but the Lions lost 26–6.[35]
On September 18, 2017, against the New York Giants onMonday Night Football, Ansah recorded three sacks and six tackles in the 24–10 victory.[36] Ansah finished the season with 12 sacks, a significant improvement over the 2 sacks he had in 2016. He recorded 3 sacks in one game on 3 different occasions, the first Lion to accomplish that feat. In Week 17, Ansah recorded three sacks in a 35–11 win over the Packers, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[37]
On February 27, 2018, the Lions placed thefranchise tag on Ansah that paid him $17.5 million in 2018.[38] After suffering a shoulder injury in Week 1, Ansah missed the next six games before returning in Week 9. He played in the next six games before re-aggravating the shoulder injury in Week 14. He was placed on injured reserve on December 11, 2018.[39]
On May 9, 2019, Ansah signed a one-year, $9 million deal with theSeattle Seahawks.[40] Ansah dealt with nagging injuries once again, and only registered 2.5 sacks as a situational pass rusher for the team.[41]
On September 23, 2020, Ansah signed a one-year deal with theSan Francisco 49ers.[42] In Week 4, he suffered a torn biceps and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 10.[43]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | ||
| 2013 | DET | 14 | 12 | 32 | 19 | 13 | 8.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | DET | 16 | 16 | 49 | 37 | 12 | 7.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | DET | 16 | 16 | 47 | 39 | 8 | 14.5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | DET | 13 | 13 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | DET | 14 | 14 | 44 | 39 | 5 | 12.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | DET | 7 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | SEA | 11 | 1 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 2.5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 | SF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 93 | 74 | 236 | 174 | 62 | 50.5 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
Ansah is the youngest of five children. His father, Edward, was a sales manager for a petroleum company, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a nurse.[1] Ansah is an active member ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ansah was assigned to room withKyle Van Noy, a highly touted linebacker, during the 2012 season. The two have maintained a close relationship both on and off the field. Ansah reported in a Sports Illustrated interview that, "Kyle is like a brother to me."[1] While attendingBYU, Ansah worked for several years as a custodian in order to pay his tuition (he stopped working when he was awarded a scholarship his senior year).[44]
Media related toEzekiel Ansah at Wikimedia Commons
