Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe

Ricky Tjong-a-Tjoe (born April 4, 1990) is a Dutch former gridiron football defensive end that played for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football at Boise State.

Early life

Tjong-A-Tjoe grew up in the Venserpolder neighborhood of Amsterdam and played association football as a child before his brother introduced him to American football.^[1] He joined a local team, the Amsterdam Panthers.^[1] Tjong-a-Tjoe moved to the United States in 2008 with the goal of earning a college football scholarship.^[2] He played one season at Boise High School in Boise, Idaho, earning first-team all-state honors after recording 35 tackles, two sacks, and four forced fumbles.^[2][3] Tjong-a-Tjoe committed to Boise State in January 2009 over offers from schools like Oregon and Washington State.^[2][3] He signed his National Letter of Intent on February 4.^[4]

College career

Tjong-a-Tjoe redshirted his first year at Boise State.^[5] In 2010, he recorded 24 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss.^[6] In 2011, Tjong-a-Tjoe made 15 tackles and three tackles for loss in seven games.^[6] His season was shortened due to a six-game suspension for receiving improper benefits from a host family.^[7] Tjong-a-Tjoe had a breakout season as a redshirt junior and earned honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference (MWC) honors.^[6] He earned first-team all-MWC honors the following year.^[8]

Professional career

After going undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, Tjong-A-Tjoe signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers.^[9]

In July 2022, he signed with the Rhein Fire of the European League of Football.^[10]

National team career

Tjong-A-Tjoe played for the Netherlands national team during the 2018 European Championship qualifiers.^[11]