Malik Heath Bio
Malik Shabazz Heath is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 31, 2000, in Canton, Mississippi, he plays the wide receiver position and has been active in the NFL since 2023. Heath came into the league as an undrafted free agent and has built his career through perseverance after a serious off-field setback in college.
Early Life and Background
Malik Shabazz Heath grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, where he attended Callaway High School. Over the course of his high school career, he caught 78 passes for 1,837 yards and 13 touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable receiving target. His development at Callaway helped lay the foundation for his future in college football.
Heath is the son of Harold Heath, a former tight end at Jackson State University. Growing up around the sport through his father’s playing background gave him early exposure to the fundamentals of football. That family connection helped shape his interest in continuing the sport at higher levels.
Path to American Football
After high school, Heath began his college career at Copiah–Lincoln Community College, where he played for the Copiah–Lincoln Wolves from 2018 to 2019. Over two seasons, he caught 61 passes for 835 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games, showing consistent production as a pass catcher. Following his sophomore season, he transferred to Mississippi State to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
At Mississippi State from 2020 to 2021, Heath continued to develop as a wide receiver. In his first season with the Bulldogs, he recorded 37 receptions for 307 yards and three touchdowns, and he followed that with 34 catches for 442 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. After the 2021 season, Heath entered the NCAA transfer portal and ultimately transferred to Ole Miss, where he played his final college season in 2022.
Malik Heath Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Heath’s early career was built across three college programs. At Copiah–Lincoln, he established himself as a productive receiver before making the jump to Mississippi State. His time with the Bulldogs included both statistical production and off-field challenges that tested his path forward.
During the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl, Heath was involved in a brawl that drew public attention, and in December 2021, he was involved in a serious car crash in Mississippi that caused a double lung collapse, a ruptured liver, and a broken rib cage. The injuries required emergency surgery in Memphis, Tennessee, and ended his 2021 season. He later transferred to Ole Miss, where he led the team with 60 receptions, 971 receiving yards, and five touchdown catches in his only season with the Rebels.
Green Bay Packers Breakthrough (2023–2025)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, Heath signed with the Green Bay Packers on May 1, 2023. He made the Packers’ initial 53-man roster on August 29, joining fellow rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks in the wide receiver group. His first NFL appearance came on September 10 in a 38–20 win over the Chicago Bears, though he did not record statistics in that game.
Heath made his first NFL reception on November 19, 2023, a 7-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Love during a 23–20 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. On December 11, 2023, he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Love in a 22–24 loss to the New York Giants. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Green Bay, he developed into a depth receiver in the Packers’ offensive rotation.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
Heath was waived by the Green Bay Packers on December 6, 2025, after appearing in 11 games for the team during the 2025 season. Two days later, on December 8, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons, giving him a fresh opportunity late in the year. The move to Atlanta marked a quick transition to a new organization within the same league week.
Driving Style and Strengths
Heath is listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 213 lb (97 kg), giving him a sturdy frame for an outside receiver. His college production at Ole Miss, where he led the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches, suggested an ability to work the intermediate and downfield areas of the field. He has served primarily as a rotational wide receiver whose role has depended on game plan and matchups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Heath’s most notable career moments are his first NFL reception against the Los Angeles Chargers and his first NFL touchdown against the New York Giants, both during his rookie 2023 season. His recovery from a life-threatening 2021 car crash and return to professional football stands as one of the defining personal milestones of his career.
Malik Heath Career Wins
Malik Shabazz Heath has been a contributor in the receiving game across multiple stops in his career, from high school through the NFL. His career has been defined more by steady production and persistence than by a long list of championship wins.
Other Wins & Performances
At Callaway High School, Heath recorded 78 receptions for 1,837 yards and 13 touchdowns over his career. At Copiah–Lincoln, he posted 61 receptions for 835 yards and seven touchdowns across two seasons, while his lone season at Ole Miss featured 60 catches, 971 yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Through the 2025 season, his NFL totals stand at 31 receptions for 308 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
Malik Heath Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Heath is the son of Harold Heath, a former tight end at Jackson State University. His father’s background as a college football player gave the family a direct connection to the sport and helped shape Malik’s early interest in football.
Personal Life
Heath grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and has continued his professional career in the United States. He is the son of Harold Heath, and his personal life has largely stayed out of the public spotlight as he has focused on his playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Heath’s 2025 season began with the Green Bay Packers, where he appeared in 11 games and recorded six receptions for 86 yards. He did not score a touchdown during that stretch, and on December 6, 2025, the Packers waived him as they reshaped their roster. His production during the early part of the year reflected his role as a depth receiver in Green Bay’s rotation.
Two days after being waived, Heath was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on December 8, 2025, joining a new organization late in the regular season. The move provided him with an opportunity to compete for a role in Atlanta’s receiver group and continue his NFL career. As he settles in with the Falcons, the focus will be on earning a consistent place in the depth chart and contributing in the team’s passing game.
