Ali Haji-Sheikh

Ali S. Haji-Sheikh (born January 11, 1961) is a former American football placekicker for the University of Michigan and for three National Football League teams. Haji-Sheikh spent three seasons playing for the New York Giants. He had a superb rookie season, kicking 35 of 42 field goals (83%) and setting a then NFL record for the most field goals in a season. A recurring hamstring injury hampered the rest of his career. He holds the Giants record for longest made field goal at 56 yards. Haji-Sheikh then played on the Washington Redskins' 1987 championship team, kicking six extra points and missing one field goal in Super Bowl XXII. He was also a member of the 1984 NFC Pro Bowl team kicking one field goal and adding six extra points in the game. Haji-Sheikh finished his career with 76 of 111 field goals (68%), and 95 of 103 extra points, giving him 323 total points.

Personal background
Haji-Sheikh was born in Michigan and raised in Texas. He is the son of Abdolhossein Haji-Sheikh, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. His father coached him in soccer and football. Haji-Sheikh attended Arlington High School where he also played wide receiver and defensive back. He attended the University of Michigan from 1979 to 1983 and in 1986 earned a BS in Geology. In 1984, he married Detroit native and University of Michigan graduate Michele Blondin. As of 2011, the couple have five children, one of whom attends the University of Michigan and another whom attends Albion College. Haji-Sheikh now works in the luxury car business in Birmingham, Michigan.