Randle El was released by the Washington Redskins in March 2010 and quickly signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Randle El was also ranked sixth among All-Decade Kick Returners by USA Today. Randle El was born in Riverdale, Illinois, the son of food dealer Curtis Randle El Sr. and day-care operator Jacqueline. He has two siblings: a brother, Curtis Jr., and a sister, Jamila. As a high school student at Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Illinois, where he played football, basketball, and ran track, Randle El wanted to be an electrician when he graduated from high school. He then went to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he played college football for the Howard Bison. After graduating from Howard in 2001, Randle El returned home to play for the Washington Redskins. He also served as an assistant coach for the Riverdale High School football team. In January 2010, shortly after being released by the Redskins, Randle El was hired as the special teams coordinator for the Chicago Bears. He will be entering his second season with the team after helping lead the Bears to a 9-7 record last year as a special teams coordinator and return man. In 2009, while playing for the Redskins, Randle El averaged 26.8 yards per return on kickoffs and 21.6 yards per return on punt returns. He also had three touchdowns on punt returns and one touchdown on a kickoff return.