The NFL career of IK Enemkpali could be in jeopardy after the former New York Jets linebacker sucker-punched quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room altercation, resulting in a broken jaw that could keep Smith out six to 10 weeks.
Here’s what you need to know about Enemkpali:
This isn’t the first time he’s been in trouble. Enemkpali was arrested in April 2011 and charged with battery of a police officer and disturbing the peace/drunk after punching an off-duty police officer who was working security at a bar in Ruston, Louisiana, where Enemkpali played at Louisiana Tech. Enemkpali, who had to be pepper-sprayed and shot with a stun gun before being taken into custody, had charge reduced to simple battery, received a suspended jail sentence and was placed on 13 months’ probation. He also had to perform 32 hours of community service and complete an anger-management course.
He was a sixth-round draft pick last year. The Jets selected Enemkpali in the sixth round in the 2014 draft, and he spent his entire season on the 53-man roster. He played in six games, recorded no tackles but had two passes defensed in the Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans.
He was a two-time all-conference selection in college. As a senior in 2013, Enemkpali was named first-team All-Conference USA after tallying 47 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 12 starts. He was also named first-team All-WAC in 2012 after a six-sack season.
He played at Pflugerville High School in Texas. Enemkpali is a native of Pflugerville, Texas, and played at Pflugerville High School, where scenes of the TV series “Friday Night Lights” were filmed.
His sister was drafted into the WNBA. His sister, Nneka Enemkpali, was a third-round selection of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm in April. She is sitting out this season because of a torn ACL suffered in January while she was playing for the University of Texas.
