On April 16, 2024, following an injury to placekicker Chris Blewitt, Ramiz Ahmed was signed by the Birmingham Stallions.
In less than a week after joining the team, Ahmed stepped onto the field as the starting kicker. He made three successful field goals and then showcased remarkable composure by kicking a game-winning, 46-yard field goal in the Stallions’ 20-18 victory over the D.C. Defenders. His clutch performance maintained the Stallions’ undefeated record at 4-0.
While mental toughness is a vital aspect of any professional athlete’s career, Ahmed’s ability to deliver such a solid performance with minimal preparation is truly remarkable. Nevertheless, Ahmed attributes his success to being prepared for any situation that comes his way.
“It’s something that you just have to be ready for if you want to perform at the highest level,” Ahmed remarked. “You have to be prepared for any challenge that arises.”
Ramiz Ahmed has navigated an intriguing path to reach this point in his career. Hailing from Las Vegas, Ahmed initially attended Faith Lutheran High School, where he began playing varsity soccer as a freshman. However, he made a pivotal switch in his sophomore year, transferring to Bishop Gorman High School and joining the football team as a kicker.
Following high school, Ahmed embarked on a collegiate journey that took him to several universities. He started at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, before transferring to Arizona State University. However, it wasn’t until his transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno, that he caught the attention of coaches and earned a spot on the Wolf Pack football team as a walk-on. Impressively, in his senior season with the Wolf Pack, Ahmed boasted a solid record, making 15 of 20 field goals and 40 of 44 PATs.
On April 17, 2020, Ahmed signed with the Chicago Bears, but his tenure with the team was short-lived as he was waived when the Bears opted to go with kicker Eddy Piñeiro. However, Ahmed’s journey continued, and on March 10, 2022, he was drafted by the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers in the seventh round of the 2022 supplemental draft.
In the 2022 USFL season, Ahmed showcased his kicking prowess by making 14 field goals out of 22 attempts and achieving a 70% success rate on PAT attempts. However, it was in week eight of the season that Ahmed truly made headlines when he kicked a remarkable 61-yard field goal against the New Jersey Generals, setting a new record as the longest field goal in USFL history.
His standout performance in the USFL caught the attention of the Green Bay Packers, who signed Ahmed on August 14, 2022. Despite his efforts, Ahmed was waived by the Packers at the conclusion of the 2022 NFL pre-season and transferred to their practice squad. However, on November 12, 2022, the Packers elevated Ahmed to the active roster for a game against the Dallas Cowboys, during which he kicked off six times, including three touchbacks. Following the game, Ahmed was reverted back to the practice squad. Later, on December 31, 2022, the Packers once again promoted Ahmed to the active roster, but unfortunately, he sustained a groin injury while warming up for a game against the Minnesota Vikings. Subsequently, Ahmed rejoined the team’s practice squad, with his contract set to expire on January 16, 2023.
For Ahmed, the timing of the injury couldn’t have been worse. However, he drew upon his inner resilience to overcome the setback and remain focused on his next steps.
“I don’t believe it’s productive to dwell on things. I think it’s best to concentrate on the next steps. All you can do is put your best foot forward,” Ahmed remarked. “I’ve witnessed it happen in people’s careers before. They encounter injuries, and what they focus on is recuperating and getting back to full health. So, I felt like that was the only option.”
That’s precisely what Ahmed did. He prioritized his recovery and ensured he was prepared for the next opportunity in professional football.
When the Birmingham Stallions approached Ahmed to step in as a replacement for placekicker Chris Blewitt, initially for just one week, Ahmed was ready to seize the chance. However, with the confirmation of the severity of Blewitt’s injury, the Stallions’ need for Ahmed has been extended. Despite the change in plans, Ahmed remains unfazed, as he was fully prepared for the opportunity.
“When they called me, they said, ‘Hey, we’ve got you guaranteed for a week.’ So, I packed a bag for the rest of the season,” Ahmed recounted. “It’s something that you have to be prepared for, as you never know what’s going to happen in the kicking game or in football in general.”
The Birmingham Stallions’ next game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Rice Stadium in Houston, TX. The game will be broadcast on FOX (please check your local listings) or can be streamed through various options. Tickets are available for purchase on Ticketmaster and Stubhub.