The New Orleans Breakers added three new players over the last few days, including former Ottawa RedBlacks linebacker Shaheed Salmon, former Houston Gamblers defensive end Ahmad Gooden, and former Dallas Renegades (2020) offensive lineman Salesi Uhatafe.
LB – Shaheed Salmon – 6’1″
College Experience: Samford (2014 – 2017)
College Accolades: First Team All-SoCon (2016)
Pro Experience: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018), Birmingham Iron (AAF, 2019), Ottawa RedBlacks (2019 – 2022)
After 4 seasons at Samford University, Shaheed Salmon signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the 2018 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he’d be released after only one preseason game.
In 2019, Salmon signed with the AAF’s Birmingham Iron, where he played in 8 games, recording 14.5 tackles and a forced fumble. His contract was terminated when the league suspended operations.
After the AAF’s collapse, Salmon signed with the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks for their 2019 season. He stayed with the team for 4 seasons, appearing in 35 games (1 start), totaling 27 tackles (27 solo/ 0 assisted), 4 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. The RedBlacks released Salmon in January 2023.
DE – Ahmad Gooden – 6’2″
College Experience: Samford (2014 – 2018)
College Accolades: First-Team All-SoCon (2017), SoCon Defensive Player of the Year (2017)
Pro Experience: Denver Broncos (2019), TSL Conquerors (2021), Houston Gamblers (2022)
Ahmad Gooden spent 5 seasons at Samford University before signing with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He’d be waived at the team’s final roster cuts but was signed back to their practice squad, where he spent most of the year. Gooden was elevated to the active roster a few times that season, appearing in 3 games, recording 1 tackle and a quarterback hit.
Gooden signed with the New York Jets practice squad in December 2019 and signed a reserve futures deal with the team after the season. Unfortunately, he’d be waived in August 2020.
Gooden signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad in October 2020 but was released a few weeks later.
After his time with the Bills, Gooden signed with The Spring League’s Conquerors for their 2021 season.
In 2022, He’d be selected in the 3rd round of the USFL Draft by the Houston Gamblers, playing the entire season with the team, totaling 48 tackles (32 solo/ 16 assisted) and 4 sacks. The Gamblers waived him in early February 2023.
OL – Salesi Uhatafe – 6’5″
College Experience: Utah (2013 – 2017)
College Accolades: Second-Team All-Pac-12 (2017)
Pro Experience: Atlanta Falcons (2018), Detroit Lions (2018), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018), Washington Commanders (2019), Salt Lake Stallions (2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019), Dallas Renegades (2020)
After spending 5 seasons at the University of Utah, Salesi Uhatafe signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he’d be released at the team’s final roster cuts.
Uhatafe spent the rest of the 2018 season and a portion of the 2019 season bouncing on and off of NFL practice squads, holding stints with the Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Washinton Commanders.
Following his time with Washington, Uhatafe signed with the AAF’s Salt Lake Stallions for their 2019 season. His contract was terminated when the league suspended operations, but he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad for the first few weeks of the 2019 NFL season. He’d be waived at the end of August 2019.
In 2020, Salesi Uhatafe signed with the XFL’s Dallas Renegades, appearing in 3 games (3 starts) before his contract was terminated when the league suspended operations due to the covid-19 pandemic.
