Bears fans know Buccaneers defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh primarily as the guy who delivered vicious hits to quarterback Jay Cutler during his days with the Lions, and that’s how most of the rest of the NFL seems to view him, too.
He has committed 19 personal fouls in his 11-year career and been fined nearly $700,000. He’s been thrown out of a game for stomping on a player’s arm, disciplined for kicking another one in the groin, appeared to choke one just a few years ago and put all 300-plus pounds into stepping on Aaron Rodgers’ leg after a play.
It can be difficult to look past that surliness and see one of the most intriguing and intelligent people anywhere in the league. When he’s not playing, he often comes across as mild-mannered.
His father is a mechanical engineer, and Suh has a construction management degree from Nebraska. Billionaire Warren Buffett is among his mentors. And he might very well be more successful in his next career than this one.
“Rather than saying [I’m] misunderstood, I would say a lot of people haven’t taken the time to get to know me,” Suh said. “They people that have... have been blown away by the diversity and the ability I have to wear multiple caps and be well versed.
“A lot of people know me as a physical, hardworking, blue-collar football player that has gotten a lot of attention throughout his years—mostly positive, some negative. A lot of my private life, I love to expand myself and challenge myself.”
Suh, 34, indicated this week he hopes to re-sign with the Bucs this offseason.
He has Hall of Fame credentials as arguably the most dominant player at his position for the majority of his career, but adding a Super Bowl ring would probably put him over the top and make him feel “elated.” His only other Super Bowl appearance was with the 2018 Rams, who lost to Suh’s current teammate, Tom Brady.
