Angelo Blackson Bio
Angelo Sierre Blackson (born November 14, 1992) is an American professional football defensive end who has spent a decade in the National Football League. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and entered the NFL after being selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Across his career, Blackson has also suited up for the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Denver Broncos, building a reputation as a rotational lineman on the interior of the defensive front.
Early Life and Background
Angelo Sierre Blackson was born on November 14, 1992, in Wilmington, Delaware, in the United States. He grew up in the Wilmington area and attended Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Delaware, a private school known for producing college-level football talent. His size and athleticism at a young age pointed him toward a future on the defensive line, and he developed into one of the more heavily recruited defensive linemen from the Mid-Atlantic region.
During his time at Red Lion Christian Academy, Blackson sharpened the fundamentals that would later define his professional profile: hand placement, leverage, and the ability to play multiple spots along the defensive front. His high school résumé earned him an opportunity at the Southeastern Conference level, a significant step for a young prospect from Delaware. That foundation prepared him for the rigors of college football at one of the conference’s most demanding programs.
Path to American Football
Blackson committed to Auburn University, where he played college football for the Auburn Tigers from 2011 through 2014. Auburn’s defensive scheme, which regularly asks linemen to handle both run-stopping and pass-rush duties, helped him grow into a versatile interior defender. Over four college seasons, he developed the strength and technique needed to project as a Day 3 NFL prospect.
His senior campaign at Auburn gave NFL scouts a clearer picture of his role at the next level: a high-motor defensive end who could set the edge against the run while offering occasional interior pass-rush value. That mix of traits, paired with his listed size, was enough to draw attention in the 2015 NFL draft process and to convince a front office to invest a mid-round pick in his development.
Angelo Blackson Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
The Tennessee Titans selected Blackson in the fourth round, 100th overall, of the 2015 NFL draft. On May 14, 2015, the Titans signed him to a four-year, $2.85 million contract that included a signing bonus of $571,615. As a rookie, he worked primarily as a rotational defensive end, learning the speed of the professional game behind established veterans on the Titans’ defensive front.
Across his two seasons in Tennessee, Blackson appeared on both defense and special teams, finishing his Titans tenure with 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks. On September 2, 2017, the Titans waived him, opening the next chapter of his career and beginning a stretch in which he would bounce between several rosters around the league.
Tennessee Titans Era (2015–2016)
Blackson’s first NFL home was Nashville, where he arrived as a fourth-round pick with a clear development path. He contributed on special teams while carving out a small defensive role, and his production in 2.5 sacks and 24 tackles offered a glimpse of the run-stopping ability that would keep him in the league for years to come. His release in early September 2017 ended his initial stint as a Titan.
Houston Texans Era (2017–2019)
After a short stop on the New England Patriots’ practice squad in September 2017, Blackson was signed off that practice squad by the Houston Texans on November 1, 2017. The move gave him a fresh opportunity, and he gradually earned a larger defensive role on the Texans’ interior line. On March 11, 2019, the organization rewarded his progress with a three-year, $12 million contract extension, a clear sign that Houston viewed him as part of its long-term defensive plan.
One of the most memorable moments of his Texans tenure came in Week 15 of the 2019 season, when Blackson blocked a field goal in a 24–21 win over the Tennessee Titans, his former team. The play earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors and highlighted the kind of effort play that defined much of his career. On September 5, 2020, however, the Texans released him, ending a three-year run in Houston.
Chicago Bears Era (2021–2022)
On March 20, 2021, Blackson signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears, joining a defensive front that was looking for experienced rotational help. In Chicago, he served as a depth piece along the defensive line, contributing on early downs and offering special-teams value. His two seasons with the Bears were a steady, if less statistically visible, stretch of his career.
Arizona Cardinals and Later Stints (2020, 2023–2024)
Blackson was signed by the Arizona Cardinals on September 8, 2020, giving him a brief first stint in the desert. After his time in Chicago, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens on May 24, 2023, was released on August 29, 2023, and quickly caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 31, 2023. On April 15, 2024, he signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos, only to be released on August 26 of that year. He then returned to the Arizona Cardinals on September 10, 2024, when the team signed him to its practice squad for a second stint with the franchise.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature highlight of Blackson’s career remains his Week 15 blocked field goal against the Titans in 2019, a play that earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week. That moment, paired with the three-year, $12 million extension he signed with Houston in 2019, captures the arc of his professional journey: a mid-round draft pick who consistently found ways to stay in the league through effort, versatility, and value on special teams. Through the 2023 season, his career totals included 179 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and one interception.
Angelo Blackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Angelo Sierre Blackson’s family background remains limited. He was raised in the Wilmington, Delaware, area and attended Red Lion Christian Academy in nearby Bear, Delaware, where he built the foundation for his football career. There is no widely documented family connection to professional football, and details about his parents and any siblings have not been confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Blackson has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Verified details about a spouse or children are not available, and there is no public confirmation of marital status. His professional social media presence, including an Instagram account tied to his NFL career, has been the main window into his activities beyond the field. As a Delaware native who has played across the country, he has spent much of his adult life tied to the rhythm of NFL seasons.
2025 Season Outlook
Entering the 2025 season, Angelo Sierre Blackson is most recently associated with the Arizona Cardinals, who signed him to their practice squad on September 10, 2024, during his second stint with the franchise. As a 33-year-old defensive end with a decade of NFL experience, he fits the profile of a veteran depth piece whose value comes from flexibility along the defensive front and contributions on special teams units. His familiarity with the Cardinals’ system, after two separate stints with the organization, could help him compete for a reserve role in 2025.
For Blackson, the 2025 outlook is shaped less by star-level expectations and more by the realities of a long veteran’s career. Teams often value linemen who can step into multiple spots, and his track record of run defense and special-teams playmaking, including a 2019 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week nod, gives him a credible résumé. Whether he lands on a 53-man roster, remains on a practice squad, or transitions into a coaching or training role will likely depend on how his body holds up and on the needs of teams late in the 2025 league year.