Eric Kettani

Eric Kettani (born March 26, 1987) is an American football fullback of Algerian origin who is currently a free agent. He played college football at the United States Naval Academy. He originally signed with the New England Patriots in 2009. Kettani is currently the director of MEAK Solutions LLC., which specializes in government contracts.

Eric Kettani
Kettani escapes a defender in the 2008 Army–Navy Game
Free agent
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1987-03-26) March 26, 1987
Kirtland, Ohio
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:245 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:Mentor (OH) Lake Catholic
College:Navy
Undrafted:2009
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Kettani grew up in Kirtland, Ohio and attended High School in nearby Mentor, Ohio at Lake Catholic High School. At Lake Catholic, Kettani was a three-year letter winner in football and was the News-Herald Player of the Year and the Cleveland Plain-Dealer Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, he was also named First-Team All-Northeast Ohio and earned all-state honors.[1]

College career
Kettani is tackled during a 2008 game against Temple

Kettani attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2009. He played for the Navy Midshipmen football team from 2006–09.[2] In his last three seasons with the Midshipmen, Kettani rushed 395 times for 2,091 yards, a 5.3-yards-per-carry average, and scored 15 rushing touchdowns.

Professional career

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots signed Kettani as an undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft, he was later placed on the Reserve/Military list. In 2011, he was signed to the Patriots' practice squad, however he was recalled to the Navy.

On February 14, 2012, Kettani re-signed with the Patriots. He was released on August 31 for final roster cuts before the start of the 2012 season, but signed to the team's practice squad again. He was released on September 4.

Washington Redskins

Kettani signed with the practice squad of the Washington Redskins on September 11, 2012.[3][4]

He was signed to reserve contract on January 8, 2013.[5] On August 26, 2013, he was waived by the Redskins.[6]

Kansas City Chiefs

Kettani signed with the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on December 24, 2013.[7] The Chiefs released him on May 12, 2014.[8]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kettani was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 23, 2014. He became a free agent after the 2014 season.

Second stint with Patriots

On August 4, 2015, Kettani's agent announced that he had re-signed with the Patriots. The Patriots released Kettani on August 24, 2015.[9]

Military career

After serving three years under the United States Navy, Kettani negotiated a deal with the Department of Defense to allow him to serve seven years in the Naval reserves doing public-affairs work while simultaneously pursuing a career in the NFL in 2012.[10] On June 3, 2013, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant from his previous rank of lieutenant junior grade.[11] He had his pinning ceremony at Redskins Park, where head coach Mike Shanahan and running back coach Bobby Turner were chosen to help pin Kettani's new lieutenant bars on his uniform, along with his father.

He initially served his Navy Reserve obligations at the Pentagon for the Chief of Naval Information (CHINFO) where he served as a Public Affairs Officer until May 2015. Served at Navy Community Outreach (NAVCO) in Millington, Tennessee. as Public Affairs Officer and performs other duties at the Naval Academy, where he was a student. LT Kettani last served at NTAG Ohio River Valley Recruiting District (TAOC Cleveland).

Personal life

Kettani is an avid professional painter and has sold paintings to the likes of Garth Brooks, Robert Kraft, and Lee Brice, as well as others.

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "DC Sports Bog". The Washington Post.
  3. Tinsman, Brian (September 11, 2012). "Redskins Shuffle Roster, Practice Squad". Redskins.com. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  4. Wang, Gene (September 11, 2012). "Former Navy RB Eric Kettani signed to Redskins practice squad". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  5. Tinsman, Brian (January 8, 2013). "Redskins Sign Six To Reserve/Futures Contracts". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  6. Tinsman, Brian (August 26, 2013). "Redskins Trim Roster Ahead Of Cuts". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  7. Paylor, Terez (December 23, 2013). "Former Navy fullback Eric Kettani to be signed to Chiefs' Practice Squad". KansasCity.com. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  8. Paylor, Terez (May 12, 2014). "Chiefs release fullback Eric Kettani, receiver Rashad Ross". KansasCity.com. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
  9. Kyed, Doug (August 24, 2015). "Source: Patriots Releasing Fullback Eric Kettani, Opening Roster Spot". NESN.com. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  10. Bradley, Bill (July 3, 2013). "Eric Kettani balances life as NFL player, U.S. Navy lieutenant". NFLEvolution.com. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  11. Tinsman, Brian (June 3, 2013). "Eric Kettani Promoted To Navy Lieutenant". Redskins.com. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
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