Ahmad Merritt

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Ahmad Merritt

Date of birth	February 5, 1977
Place of birth	Chicago, Illinois
Position(s)	Wide Receiver
College	Wisconsin
NFL Draft	2000 / Round Undrafted
Statistics	NFL.com
Team(s)
2000-2003 2006-present	Chicago Bears Chicago Rush

Ahmad Rashad Merritt (born February 5, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He originally signed with the Chicago Bears of the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Wisconsin in 2000.

Merritt is probably most remembered for his 47-yard touchdown run on a reverse in the Bears 2001 divisional playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (the last offensive touchdown scored for the Bears scored in Old Soldier Field). He was also the leading receiver of the 2001 World Bowl Champion Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe. Merritt was in training camp with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and was on the verge of securing a roster spot when he tore ligaments in his foot and was given an injury settlement. He returned to the Cowboys in the offseason, but was later released a few days into training camp before the 2006 season.

[edit] High school

Merritt attended St. Rita High School on Chicago's south side, where as a senior he earned All-America honors from Prep Football Report and SuperPrep. He made 63 receptions for 1,240 yards and 23 touchdowns throughout his high school career. He shares a distinction with two other NFL players that have also attended both St. Rita and the University of Wisconsin, Tony Simmons and Dennis Lick (Lick also played for the Bears).

[edit] College career

Merritt started 21 games at wide receiver but primarily served as a return specialist through his four years at Wisconsin. He finished his collegiate career with 36 receptions for 528 yards and two touchdowns, 28 kick returns for 521 yards and 25 punt returns for 165 yards.