30 Amazing Facts About Arik Armstead Every Fan Must Know

Arik Armstead, considered to be one of the best defensive end players, is currently playing for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Apart from his football career, he was making headlines for his foundation, founded in the year 2019, to foster better educational equality. In fact, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he helped coronavirus relief efforts in northern California. Here are some really interesting facts about the football player that will blow your mind:

"Arik Armstead Headshot" by GoArmy is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

1.  He made his playoff debut in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings, in which he sacked Kirk Cousins once, in the 27-10 win.
2.  During the 2015 NFL Draft, he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers, in the first round as 17th overall. He was the fourth defensive end selected in the Draft.
3.  The 2019 season was a breakout season for Armstead, during which he recorded 54 tackles (32 solo), a team-leading 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 16 games and starts.
4.  On March 16, 2020, Armstead signed a five-year, $85 million contract extension with the 49ers with $48.5 million guaranteed.
5.  During Week 2 game against the New York Jets of the 2020 season, he recorded his first sack of the season on Sam Darnold during the 31–13 road victory.
6.  Arik Armstead was born on November 15, 1993 to Guss Armstead and Christa Armstead in Sacramento, California. He has a brother named Armond Armstead.
7.  His grandfather Willie B. Armstead is an Airforce Veteran. Arik often credits his grandfather for his career’s success, for instilling the value of integrity in him.
8.  His brother Armond played college football at USC and played as a former defensive tackle for Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
9.  Throughout their childhood, the brothers spent hours playing football, and Arik has always idolized his elder sibling Armond, wanting to become like him.
10.  He completed his schooling at Pleasant Grove High school in Elk Grove, California, where he played football. Apart from football, he was also a basketball player in high school.

"Arik Armstead Jersey Presentation" by GoArmy is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

11.  In his high school career, he recorded a total of 126 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He was named a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, and was ranked as the sixth best defensive end in his class.
12.  Initially, he committed to the University of Southern California (USC) to play college football but changed to the University of Oregon.
13.  As a true freshman, he played in all 13 games, starting in one, during the 2012 season. He recorded 26 tackles and a half-sack. In the 2013 season, he played in 13 games, recording 15 tackles and one sack.
14.  He joined the Ducks basketball team, during the 2012 spring, and also redshirted his first year. He re-joined the basketball team in 2013 spring to play one game, before quitting to fully focus on football.
15.  Despite being drafted by the San Francisco 49ers, he was not able to attend the training camp and other team activities, as Oregon’s school year was yet to conclude.
16.  This was due to the NFL’s policy that prohibits rookies from joining the teams, before their school year is officially completed.
17.  But, just as he joined the 49ers, he was faced with a stiff competition for the job as starting defensive end against Quinton Dial, Darnell Dockett, Glenn Dorsey, and Tank Carradine.
18.  He was named as the fifth defensive end on the depth chart by Head coach Jim Tomsula, and made his NFL debut in the 2015 season opening game against Minnesota Vikings, in which he recorded one tackle for loss.
19.  He made his first NFL sack on quarterback Carson Palmer for a four-yard loss, while recording three tackles during a 47–7 road loss to the Arizona Cardinals, in the Week 3 of the season.
20.  In Week 17, Armstead earned his first NFL start and made a solo tackle during a 19–16 overtime victory over the St. Louis Rams.

"Tackled in the Backfield" by GoArmy is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

21.  He finished his rookie year, by recording a total of 19 combine tackles, out of which 14 were solo, and two sacks in the total of 16 games he played.
22.  During the 2016 season, with Chip Kelly replacing Jim Tomsula as the new head coach, he was named the starting defensive end, along with Quinton Dial for Week 1.
23.  On November 8, 2016, the 49ers placed Armstead on injured reserve with a left shoulder injury, for which he underwent surgery a week later.
24.  He finished his second season with 15 combined tackles (nine solo), a forced fumble, and 2.5 sacks in eight games and four starts.
25.  He was once again placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken hand in Week 6 of 2017 season on October 17, 2017. He played only 6 games in the entire season.
26.  The San Francisco 49ers announced on April 30, 2018, that they have picked the fifth year option on Armstead’s contract, for the 2018 season.
27.  In Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams, Armstead recorded a season high five tackles and sacked Jared Goff once during the 39–10 loss.
28.  It was in the Week 6 game against the Los Angeles Rams again, during the 2019 season, that he recorded a season high 6 tackles, half a sack on Jared Goff, and recovered a fumble lost by Goff.
29.  During this season, in the Week 7 game against the Washington Redskins, he sacked Case Keenum once during the 9–0 road victory, being his new single season career high total to 3.5 sacks.
30.  He married Mindy Harwood on June 20, 2020, after dating her for a couple of years. The couple welcomed their first daughter in February 2021.
31.  Arik Armstead Net Worth: $26.8 Million