ARIK ARMSTEAD DL 6-7 × 290 × OREGON 91 11.15.93 × ELK GROVE, CA × 6TH YEAR × ACQUIRED D-1 IN ‘15 AWARDS & HONORS 2020: NFLPA Community MVP (Week 10) ARMSTEAD’S GOLDEN NUGGETS 2020: 49ers Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Nominee • Lists his parents, Guss and Christa, as the most influential people in his life. He also gives credit to his grandfather, Willie 2020 HIGHLIGHTS B. Armstead, an Air Force veteran, for instilling the value of • Bought down Jets QB Sam Darnold at NYJ (9/20) integrity that his parents have passed along to him. “A lot of for a 6-yd. loss, marking his first sack of the season things he instilled in my dad have carried down to me. Having and 20th of his career. Finished the game with 3 tackles, 1.0 sack a family member who is more courageous than you can imag- and 1 PD. ine and who served his country is a huge honor.” • Combined with DL Kerry Hyder Jr. to bring down Eagles QB Car- • Played both basketball and football at Oregon before focusing son Wentz for 0.5 sack vs. Phi. (10/4). only on football in 2014. • Finished the game at Dal. (12/20) with 8 total tackles and 2.0 sacks, • During Super Bowl 50’s Media Day, Armstead joined Sacra- marking his 4th career multi-sack game and first since 2019 [2.0 mento’s ABC10 sports team as a reporter to learn what it is vs. GB (11/24/19)]. like to cover NFL players during one of the most hectic events GOLDMINE of the year. Held at SAP Center in San Jose, Armstead inter- viewed former teammates, fans, media members and Miss • In May of 2020, Armstead donated $50,000 to Sacramento’s Universe. “It’s like a feeding frenzy - everyone running around, Mercy Housing for students to be able to participate in distance and being part of that frenzy was a unique experience,” said learning. The donation will provide 350 Chromebooks to students, Armstead during the event. as well as one-year of pre-paid internet service for those families, many of whom have multiple students in their households. Also • For Armstead, the NFL Draft process was a whirlwind tour. He included in the donation were education kits consisting of learn- went straight from the National Championship Game to San ing activities, books, supplies and even healthy snacks benefiting Diego to prepare for the NFL Combine and then to Sacramento children of all ages who remain physically at home, unable to visit for the Draft itself. However, his favorite part of the process their schools because of the coronavirus pandemic. “These are was being drafted by a team so close to his hometown. “It’s a things that people should have access to, these are things that dream come true. I’m blessed to be in this situation. Not a lot students in other communities do have access to, so this is just a of other people are that close to home. Being able to play home baseline of essential needs for them to be successful in the class- games in front of my family is perfect for me.” room,” said Armstead. “I think people need to realize that some of the things we’re experiencing right now maybe the new norm, even when the virus calms down.” Armstead took the time to per- sonally deliver the Chromebooks to the recipients of the donation. ARMSTEAD’S GAME-BY-GAME “A lot of students had been disengaged before the pandemic, but 2020 even more so with school getting canceled and having to learn Date Opp W/L P/S Tot Sol Ast Sk Yds Int Yds PD FF FR Yds virtually and not having the technology and access,” said Arm- Sep 13 Arz L 1/1 1 0 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 stead. “I’m happy that I launched the foundation last year so that I Sep 20 at NYJ W 1/1 3 1 2 1.0 6.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 could try to address some of these issues in my community.” Sep 27 at NYG W 1/1 3 2 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oct 4 Phi W 1/1 5 4 1 0.5 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oct 11 Mia L 1/1 2 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Oct 18 LAR W 1/1 2 0 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Oct 25 at NE W 1/1 1 1 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nov 1 at Sea L 1/1 5 4 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nov 5 GB L 1/1 0 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nov 15 at NO L 1/1 2 2 0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Nov 29 at LAR W 1/1 4 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dec 7 Buf L 1/1 4 2 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dec 13 Was L 1/1 2 1 1 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dec 20 at Dal L 1/1 8 5 3 2.0 17.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dec 26 at Arz W 1/1 5 3 2 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Jan 3 Sea TOTALS 15/15 47 28 19 3.5 25.5 0 0 2 0 0 0 2020 MEDIA GUIDE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS GOLDMINE (CONTINUED) • If Armstead wasn’t in the NFL, he would be playing basketball. • Armstead returned to his hometown of Sacramento during the He was a three-year starter in basketball at Pleasant Grove High 2019 offseason to host the second charity weekend for his foun- School in Sacramento and played two years at the University of dation, Armstead Academic Project, which promotes equal op- Oregon before focusing solely on football for the 2014 season. portunities through education. The festivities kicked off as team- He entered his high school senior season listed as the number mates Ronald Blair III, Richard Sherman, Jaquiski Tartt and Ahkello three prospect in NorCalPrep.com’s Top 40 rankings for the class Witherspoon joined Armstead for a charity gala and silent auction of 2012. “A big part of the recruiting pitch from Oregon was they which raised more than $100,000. Armstead then led a youth were going to let me play two sports. We only lost 5 games during camp the following morning, where the children were able to get my time there. I wanted to go somewhere with the chance to win hands-on lessons from the NFL players. Throughout the day, Arm- and be a part of something special.” stead stressed the importance of hard work, sportsmanship and • In 2017, Armstead returned to teamwork. his hometown of Sacramento • During the 2020 offseason, to hold his Annual free youth Armstead began implimenting football camp. The camp was several installments of Story- held in Elk Grove, CA and time with Arik Armstead using sponsors made it possible for virtual platforms. For Earth Day, 200 scholarships to be offered Armstead surprised a virtual to interested kids. The kids classroom of 20 second-grade participated in both football students with a story time, Q&A and conditioning drills with and conversations about the the players and then were environment. For Mother’s Day, allowed to ask questions to he and his mom, Christa, read discuss not only football, but “Guess How Much I Love You” school, healthy choices, and on the 49ers Instagram account. other topics. Armstead’s goal Education is at the forefront of was to provide campers with a unique experience on the football Armstead’s commitment to the field, as well as insight into the hard work and dedication that are Bay Area, as the defensive lineman founded the Armstead Aca- needed to make it to the NFL. “I want the kids to enjoy themselves demic Project to ensure every student, no matter their socioeco- while also coming away learning that they can do whatever they nomic status, has direct access to a quality education through a put their mind to,” said Armstead. “I want to teach them the things positive learning environment and resources needed in order to that helped me get where I am now like the importance of educa- thrive and be successful. tion, work ethic, and faith.” • NFL players had the opportunity to participate in the NFL’s annual • Armstead’s brother, Armond, was forced to retire before ever play- My Cause, My Cleats campaign during Week 14 of the 2019 season. ing a down in the NFL. After playing collegiately at USC, Armond Armstead and his teammates represented their respective causes became an All-Star for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian with custom-designed cleats in an effort to raise awareness and Football League, helping the team win the league’s 100th Grey funding. In choosing the foundation Arik Armstead Academic Cup. He went on to sign with the New England Patriots in 2013, Project which focuses on education equity, “I play for all children but medical issues forced him to hang up his cleats. “The biggest to have the right to quality education,” said Armstead.