Hakim Akbar Akmal Hakim Akbar ( born August 11 , 1980 in Riverside , California ) is a former American football Linebacker of the National Football League and Canadian Football League . He was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round ( 163rd overall ) of the 2001 NFL Draft . He played college football at Washington . Akbar earned a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI . He has also been a member of the Houston Texans , St . Louis Rams , Tampa Bay Buccaneers , Jacksonville Jaguars and Calgary Stampeders . Early years . Akbar was born the son of Kenneth and Rasheeda Akbar on August 11 , 1980 in Riverside , California . Akbar attended Riverside Polytechnic High , where he was selected All - CIF , all - county and all - league pick while registering 91 tackles , with six interception s , three fumble recoveries and seven forced fumbles as a senior . He also received eight votes in " Long Beach Press Telegram ’ s " ‘ Best in the West ’ poll and was named to the " Tacoma News Tribune ’ s " ‘ Western 100 ’ team . He was rated the eighth - best defensive back in the Western Region by Prep Star . College career . Akbar was a three - year letterman at the University of Washington . Akbar played in 33 games , including 26 consecutive starts at Safety . He proved to be a versatile player , starting at both Strong and Free safety . In his college career he recorded 225 tackles ( 123 solos ) with eight tackles for losses . He also had four interceptions for a total of 52 yards . He also recorded five fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles . He played a major role in the 2000 Huskies 11 - 1 season and # 3 overall ranking by " Associated Press " and ESPN / " USA Today " . While at Washington , he majored in Construction Management . As a freshman in 1998 , Akbar was a First - team All - American selection by " The Sporting News " , while adding honorable mention from " Football News " . He played in all 11 games at Free safety , starting the final four games of the season . He ranked third on the team with 59 tackles ( 36 solos ) . As a sophomore in 1999 , Akbar was a Second - team All - Pac - 10 selection . He was named team Co - Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year by KOMO 1000 AM . He was switched to Strong safety before the start of season and started all 11 games . He finished fourth on the team with 69 tackles ( 33 solos ) , including three for loss a total of - 9 yards . He intercepted a pass for a four - yard return and deflected six others . He forced and recovered two fumbles . He also had one quarterback pressure . As a junior in 2000 , Akbar was a First - team All - American selection by the NFL Draft Report and " CNNSI " , as well as an honorable mention selection from " College Football News " . He was also a First - team All - Pac - 10 selection . He led the team with 97 tackles ( 54 solos ) , including five for losses . He intercepted two passes for 31 yards and deflected six others . He also recovered two fumbles . Akbar lined up at Strong safety for the first eight games before shifting to Free safety when teammate and friend Curtis Williams suffered a career - ending spinal cord injury . After Williams ' injury , Akbar considered quitting football . He recorded double - digit tackles in four games during the season and also set a career - high with 19 tackles against Oregon State . It was the highest single - game total since John Fiala recorded 22 tackles in 1996 . Professional career . Akbar chose to forgo his senior season and enter the 2001 NFL Draft . Before the draft , Akbar was scouted and he ran a 4 . 5 - second 40 - yard dash . He was a second - day selection , taken in the fifth round ( 163rd overall ) by the New England Patriots . New England Patriots . After being drafted by the Patriots , Akbar signed two - year contract worth close $ 600 , 000 and included a signing bonus worth close to $ 75 , 000 . He was released by the team in March 2002 . Akbar played on Special teams in six games for the Super Bowl champion Patriots . Akbar recorded five tackles for the season . He made his NFL debut in Miami . He played special teams and recorded two tackles against the San Diego Chargers . He recorded one tackle on special teams in Atlanta . Car accident . In November 2001 , Akbar suffered a spinal injury and nearly died . He was driving home , after socializing with teammates . He says he fell asleep at the wheel and woke up to find he was speeding down the interstate , going at least 80 mph . His Escalade went off the road , and Akbar who wasn ' t wearing a seat belt , resulting in him being thrown through the sunroof . As a result of the accident , he suffered three fractured vertebrae , broken rib s and an injured hip and shoulder . Due to his injuries he spent a month in the hospital , eating through an IV . Police said alcohol wasn ' t involved , however he was charged with driving with the intent to endanger , among other offenses . Due to the severity of his injuries , a doctor told Akbar he would not play football again . However , three months after the accident , he was once again working out , preparing to make his way back . Although he did not play in the Super Bowl , the Patriots presented him with a ring . Houston Texans . On March 26 , 2002 , Akbar was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans . However , on September 2 , 2002 , he was released . St . Louis Rams . Akbar was signed by the St . Louis Rams on November 5 , 2002 . He played in four games for the Rams , playing on Special teams . He finished the season with two Special teams tackles . He made his Rams debut and recorded a special teams tackle at Philadelphia . He was waived by the team on August 31 , 2003 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . On December 11 , 2003 , Akbar was signed to the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , but only spent five days there before being signed to the active roster of the Jacksonville Jaguars . Jacksonville Jaguars . Akbar then spent the final two weeks of the season on the inactive list after being signed off the Tampa Bay practice squad on December 16 , 2003 by the Jacksonville Jaguars . In 2004 , he was allocated to NFL Europe . He was released by the Jaguars on September 7 , 2004 . It was the last time he was a member of an NFL team . Calgary Stampeders . On April 26 , 2006 , Akbar was signed to the practice squad of the Calgary Stampeders . He wasn ' t able to play very much during the Stampeders pre - season due to a hamstring injury . Due to being slowed by the hamstring injuries , he did not win the starting linebacker position . The Stampeders released him on October 14 , 2006 .