Rashid Shaheed is a Seattle Seahawks wide receiver whose world-class speed didn’t appear out of nowhere… It comes from one of the fastest families in American sports.
Raised by collegiate track athletes and surrounded by sprinting siblings, Shaheed grew up in a household where every dinner conversation turned into a race debate.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. His Parents Were Both College Track Stars
GettySeahawks WRs Rashid Shaheed and JSN
Shaheed’s father Haneef was a sprinter at Arizona State, while his mother Cassondra ran the 400 meter hurdles at San Diego State. From the start, they assumed their son would follow the same path.
But Rashid had different plans. During high school, he became emotional telling them football, not track, was his passion.
“Him having that much emotion about it let me know… my dream of him running track is over,” Haneef said.
2. His Sisters Are Elite Sprinters Too (The Family Competes Constantly)
GettySeahawks WR Rashid Shaheed
Speed didn’t stop with Rashid. His sister Aysha runs at Cal and has been part of a school-record 4×100 relay team while his younger sister Amirah is a decorated high-school sprinter coached by their father at Madison High.
That creates nonstop competition at home. “It is very, very competitive with them,” Haneef said. “They bring it up all the time — who has more championships… who was the fastest comparably.”
Saints receivers coach Kodi Burns joked: “They’re insane… we’ve got to put them on a line and see who runs the 40 and the 100 faster.”
3. He Actually Turned Down a USC Track Future to Chase Football
GettySeahawks WR Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp
Shaheed had legitimate track offers including interest from powerhouse USC, and he was dominant enough to win section titles in the 200 and 400 meters.
But he made a shocking choice: He chose FCS football at Weber State instead of major-college track. His father initially couldn’t understand it. “If you weigh track at USC versus football at FCS… you look at your kid like, ‘What are you talking about?’” Haneef said.
The decision proved right. Shaheed became a four-time All-American and set the NCAA record with seven kickoff return touchdowns.
4. He Knew He Wanted the NFL Since He Was a Toddler
GettySeahawks WR Rashid Shaheed
Long before recruiting, the vision was obvious.
“I used to run around the house with a helmet on and a Cardinals jersey,” Shaheed said. “I’d stuff my jersey with socks like pads.”
Track eventually became a tool, not a goal. “I just kind of used track to help with that,” he said about preparing for football.
5. His Family Supported Him Through Injuries, Being Undrafted, and His Breakout
GettySeahawks WR Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed’s NFL path wasn’t smooth. He tore his ACL in his final college game, missed pre-draft workouts, and signed as an undrafted rookie. His parents planned travel schedules to his games unsure if he’d even play.
Then came the breakthrough… Touchdowns in his first games and explosive production once healthy. Fast forward to January 18, 2026, where in the Divisional Round against the 49ers, Rashid Shaheed took the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.
For a family built on speed, patience paid off. The track background shaped his discipline, but their belief carried him to the league. And now he stands on the biggest stage of them all… The Super Bowl.
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