Former BYU football standout Ezekiel ‘Ziggy’ Ansah making impact off the field

Ezekiel Ansah made a huge impact for BYU football on the field. Now the defensive end is trying to make one off  the field.

Ziggy Ansah was a force for BYU football. After not knowing how to even put his pads on, Ansah developed into the 5th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

He never prepped for the NFL Combine, but enthralled scouts with his explosiveness and upside. The Detroit Lions selected him, and he’s continued to develop into one of the better pass rushers in the game. He struggled with injuries last season, compiling just two sacks. But, he had eight as a rookie, 7.5 in 2014 and 14.5 in 2015.

Now, he’s trying to make an impact off the field.

Ziggy started the Ezekiel Ansah Foundation to help young athletes in Ghana continue to develop their skills. It is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization.

Ansah aims to introduce football (American football) to Ghana.

Ziggy’s mother was nurse for 30+ years, and the former BYU football star got emotional when he spoke about his mother’s influence.

“One of the focuses of the foundation will be the Children’s Ward at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, where we will provide resources that will enable the staff to do their jobs properly and also to put a smile on the face of children,” Ansah told Graphic Online.

“My mother, Elizabeth Ansah worked for about 31 years as a nurse,” Ansah added.

Ziggy is closing in on the final year of his rookie contract. He inked a four-year, $18.5 million deal with Detroit with a signing bonus of nearly $12 million in 2013.

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He’s never made more than $2.9 million in a single season, but he’ll be making a whopping $12.7 million in 2017.