2015 DETROIT LIONS MEDIA GUIDE

59 - TAHIR WHITEHEAD
Linebacker Temple Newark, N.J.
Year: 4 Ht: 6-2 Wt: 241 Born: 4/2/90
Draft: ’12, R5a (138)-Det
Complete biographical information available on Detroitlions.com.
MANE FACTS
‣ ¾ Pronunciation: TAH-here
‣ ¾ Voted by his teammates for the Yale Lary Special Teams MVP in 2013.
TRANSACTIONS
‣ ¾ Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
PRO
Earned a contributing role on special teams for the 2012-13 seasons and after establishing himself as a leader on the Lions
coverage units, and proved himself in 2014 as one of the team’s starting linebackers.
2014: After not recording a single tackle outside of special teams in his first two seasons, Whitehead thrived at the middle
linebacker position for injured LB Stephen Tulloch and emerged onto the scene in 2014 to finish the season second on the
team in tackles with 77 (55 solo). Also recorded his first-two-career interceptions and had five pass defenses.
‣ ¾ Began 2014 season as starting outside linebacker and recorded a tackle on special teams in Week 1 vs. New York
Giants (9/8).
‣ ¾ Recorded three tackles in Week 2 at Carolina (9/14).
‣ ¾ Posted three tackles in Week 3 vs. Green Bay (9/21).
‣ ¾ Registered a team-tying high 11 tackles (also career-high) in his first start at middle linebacker in Week 4 at New York
Jets (9/28).
‣ ¾ Recorded six tackles, including one for loss, in Week 5 vs. Buffalo (10/5).
‣ ¾ Registered a career-high two interceptions, along with six tackles and one TFL in Week 6 at Minnesota (10/12).
‣ ¾ Posted five tackles and defended one pass in Week 7 vs. New Orleans (10/19).
‣ ¾ Recorded five tackles, including one for loss, in Week 8 at Atlanta (10/26).
‣ ¾ Registered three tackles in Week 10 vs. Miami (11/9).
‣ ¾ Posted three tackles and defended one pass in Week 11 at Arizona (11/16).
‣ ¾ Registered five tackles in Week 12 at New England (11/23).
‣ ¾ Posted seven tackles in Week 13 vs. Chicago (11/27).
‣ ¾ Registered three tackles and one quarterback hit in Week 14 vs. Tampa Bay (12/7).
‣ ¾ Had nine tackles (one for loss) in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).
‣ ¾ Posted three tackles in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).
‣ ¾ Finished with four tackles and defended one pass in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).
‣ ¾ In the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4), posted six tackles (one for loss), one sack, and one quarterback hit.
2013: Contributed on special teams in all 16 games and ended the year tied for third in special teams tackles with nine
(seven solo) and had one forced fumble. Voted by his teammates for the Yale Lary Special Teams MVP in 2013.
‣ ¾ Saw action on special teams in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15) and Week 3 at Washington (9/22).
‣ ¾ Posted two special teams tackles and forced a fumble on kickoff coverage in Week 4 vs. Chicago (9/29).
COLLEGE
Named to the 2011 Butkus Award Watch List. Received the 2011 Mark Bresani Award for spirit and enthusiasm.
2011: Started 12 of 13 games as a senior.
‣ ¾ Second Team All-MAC
‣ ¾ First Team All-MAC by Phil Steele.
‣ ¾ Named Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
PERSONAL
Was a team captain for West Side High School in Newark, N.J. for coach Brian Logan. Won 2007 state championship playing
as a safety, wide receiver, tight end and running back. Was named to the 2008 All-Academic Team as a senior and sophomore.
‣ ¾ Criminal Justice major.
WHITEHEAD’S SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles:................................................................................... 11 at NYJ 9/28/14
Forced Fumbles:................................................1 (twice) Last vs. Chi 9/29/13
Special Teams Tackles:............................2 (six times) Last at NE 11/23/14
Interceptions:.......................................................................... 2 at Min 10/12/14
DETROIT LIONS
PLAYER PROFILES