Khalil Mack

Lore & Background

Mack set the all-time NCAA record for forced fumbles and is also tied for career tackles for loss in the NCAA. In 2015, he became the first player in NFL history to be selected first-team All-Pro at two different positions, defensive end and outside linebacker, in the same season. Three years later, Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears for two first-round draft picks and signed a six-year, $141 million extension, becoming the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time. He was traded to the Chargers in 2022.

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over SoFi Stadium as Khalil Mack lined up on the edge, his eyes locked on the quarterback across the line of scrimmage. The noise of the crowd faded into a dull roar; all that mattered was the pocket and the gap. As the snap echoed, he exploded off the line, a blur of powder-blue and gold. With a violent swim move, he shed the blocker's grip, his shoulder pads crashing into the turf before launching upward to bring the play down with a thunderous sack.

Reader's Guide

Mack was raised by his parents Yolanda and Sandy Mack Sr. in Fort Pierce, Florida. He attended Fort Pierce Westwood High School, where he played quarterback before switching to linebacker. He played college football at the University at Buffalo, where he redshirted in 2009 and became a standout defender, earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. He was drafted fifth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2014 and played for them until being traded to the Chicago Bears in 2018, then to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022.

Did You Know?

• Mack wore uniform number 46 in college as a reminder that he was rated 46 out of 99 in the NCAA Football 11 video game.
• He set the NCAA record for forced fumbles with 16 and tied for first in career tackles for loss with 75.
• In 2015, Mack became the first NFL player to be named first-team All-Pro at two positions (defensive end and outside linebacker) in the same season.
• Mack was elected to the University at Buffalo Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024.