Defensive back Malik Muhammad, the 124th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, talks with ChicagoBears.com about his favorite memory playing at the University of Texas, who introduced him to football growing up, his top TV shows and more.
What are you most excited to see or do in Chicago?
Everybody was talking about Lake Michigan, like when everybody gets on a boat or everybody is on the lake.
What was your favorite college football memory?
Against OU this past year. I caught 2 interceptions in the first half.
Who introduced you to football and when?
My uncle and my closest friend's dad, so basically both my uncles. It was when I was four, turning five.
What do you remember about football at that age?
They just threw me on the field. They handed me the ball and I was just faster than everybody.
Who were your sports idols growing up?
Darrelle Revis and Charles Woodson. Wait, I'm cap. I'm thinking about when I got to high school, when I was playing DB. But growing up as a kid, it was Deion [Sanders], Megatron, Dez Bryant.
What is your guilty pleasure show or movie?
I finished The Blacklist — all 11 seasons. I also like Love Island. Oh my god, I watch a lot of TV shows. Beauty in Black. The Hunting Wives. That's a crazy show, too. I like thriller, drama type of shows.
You grew up and went to school in Texas. What's been your first impression of the Midwest?
It's cold. I can't even walk out of the house with a shirt and shorts on. I have to have sweats and a jacket. Y'all got different slang than we do, too. It's just different than southern slang.
You have eight siblings, where are you at in the order?
Third oldest. Everything went in my favor when I was growing up. And I was the oldest boy. Everything went in my favor. And then I was good at sports on top of that.
Do you have a hidden talent outside of football?
Baseball. I played when I was younger — first base, shortstop, outfield, center field. And basketball. I can hoop for real.
Who would be your NBA comp?
Understanding angles and stuff, I'd really be a SGA type, Russell Westbrook type, because I've got bounce, too.
What's a random fact about you that we can't find on the internet?
Well, I guess people are now finding out that I'm funny. When I meet new people, they say I act totally different than they thought, like I'm way more cool or chiller in person. And funnier. But on Instagram and stuff, they think I'm this super serious guy. Oh, and I'm really good at pool and Connect Four.
