ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons re-sign safety/linebacker Kemal Ishmael

January 6, 2018 Los Angeles: Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael celebrates as time expires in a 26-13 victory over the Rams in their NFL Wild Card Game on Saturday, January 6, 2018, in Los Angeles. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

January 6, 2018 Los Angeles: Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael celebrates as time expires in a 26-13 victory over the Rams in their NFL Wild Card Game on Saturday, January 6, 2018, in Los Angeles. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
April 4, 2018

The Falcons agreed to terms on a one-year contract with safety/linebacker Kemal Ishmael on Wednesday.

Ishmael, 25, who broke into the NFL as a safety, played mostly at linebacker last season.

He played in all 16 games last season and recorded 22 tackles, a sack and one pass breakup. He played 114 snaps on defense (10.8 percent) and 336 snaps on special teams.

Ishmael, who played at Central Florida, was selected in the seventh round (243rd overall) of the 2013 draft. He has played in 65 games, including 20 starts.

He was allowed to reach free agency, but elected to return to the Falcons.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker (11) runs a drill as James Pearce Jr. (27) looks during the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Camp, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Flowery Branch. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

James Pearce Jr. is seen as the Falcons' top candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is celebrated in his hometown, Dade City, Florida, with a street named for him and a new football camp for youths.

Is NFC South ready to rise again? Insiders look into teams in the division.

The writers who know the teams look inside the Falcons, Saints, Panthers and Buccaneers.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Jalon Walker (11) runs a drill as James Pearce Jr. (27) looks during the Atlanta Falcons Rookie Minicamp at the Atlanta Falcons Training Camp, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Flowery Branch. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

James Pearce Jr. seen as Falcons’ top DROY candidate

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. celebrated by his Florida hometown

Is NFC South ready to rise again? Insiders look into teams in the division.

Featured

People carrying a giant pride flag participate in the annual Pride Parade in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Corporate pullback from LGBTQ groups leaves Atlanta organizations in the lurch

Some Atlanta LGBTQ groups are reevaluating their programming and staffing in light of the reduced support.

Atlanta mayor: Property tax hike needed to keep up with population growth

Andre Dickens said a property tax hike is almost unavoidable, as Atlanta’s leaders work to keep up with population growth that brings increased demand for city services.

GDOT’s roadside helpers return to 24/7 service

The highway helpers who patrol metro Atlanta’s interstates will return to 24/7 service on Tuesday, just in time for the busy holiday weekend.