SEATTLE — The crowd at Lumen Field had barely settled into their seats when Rashid Shaheed, the Seattle Seahawks’ electrifying return specialist and wide receiver, delivered a moment for the ages in the NFC Divisional Round playoff clash against the San Francisco 49ers. On January 17, 2026, with playoff tension thick in the air, Shaheed fielded the opening kickoff and blazed 95 yards down the field for a touchdown, igniting the stadium and setting the tone for a night that promised drama and excitement.
It took just 13 seconds for the Seahawks to seize a 7-0 lead, and Shaheed’s dazzling return instantly etched its place in franchise history as the longest postseason kickoff return touchdown ever for Seattle. Not only did Shaheed’s fifth touchdown of the season mark his second as a Seahawk, but it was also only the third time in NFL playoff history that a game-opening kickoff was taken to the house. Talk about making history in a flash!
“RASHID SHAHEED 95 YARDS TO OPEN THE DIVISIONAL!!!” tweeted Chandler Holt of KSL Sports, capturing the collective astonishment of fans and pundits alike. The play wasn’t just a highlight; it was a thunderclap, announcing that the Seahawks were ready to challenge the favored 49ers from the very first snap.
The return itself was a thing of beauty. After a month-long hiatus from kickoff returns—opponents had been kicking away from him for good reason—Shaheed sprinted across the end zone to field the ball, weaved through defenders, and found daylight up the sideline. Only San Francisco’s kicker, Eddy Pineiro, stood in his way. Pineiro’s desperate attempt at a slide tackle not only failed but drew a tripping penalty, enforced on the extra point. The touchdown stood, and the Seahawks were off and running.
For Shaheed, this was yet another chapter in a remarkable journey. Traded from the New Orleans Saints to Seattle on November 4, 2025, in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round draft picks, Shaheed wasted little time making an impact in the Pacific Northwest. During the regular season, he had already returned both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns, but this playoff moment was his first postseason score—and what a way to debut!
Shaheed’s special teams prowess is no accident. Hailing from San Diego, California, and a proud Weber State alumnus, he finished his college career as the FCS all-time leader in kickoff return touchdowns with seven. In 53 games with the Wildcats, he set a school record for kickoff return average at 29.1 yards per return and was named an FCS First Team All-American as both a kick and punt returner. Notably, he remains the only Weber State Wildcat to earn All-American honors in four different seasons.
Despite his decorated college career, Shaheed went undrafted in 2022 but signed with the Saints, securing one of the top undrafted free agent contracts that year—a $207,000 guaranteed base salary and a $15,000 signing bonus, according to FCS analyst Sam Herder. He quickly made a name for himself in the NFL. As a rookie, Shaheed caught 28 passes for 488 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for another score, and racked up over 500 return yards. His sophomore campaign saw him haul in 46 receptions for 719 yards and five touchdowns, while also contributing 723 yards and a touchdown on 43 punt and kick returns.
Shaheed’s 2024 season was cut short by injury after just six games, but he was on a torrid pace with 20 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns. The Seahawks’ gamble in trading for him has already paid dividends, as his game-breaking speed and vision have made him a constant threat every time he touches the ball.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who was questionable to start due to an oblique injury, was cleared to play, but thanks to Shaheed’s heroics, he didn’t even need to take the field before Seattle had points on the board. It was a welcome change for the Seahawks, who had managed just 30 total points in two regular season meetings with the 49ers. Starting the playoff rematch with seven points in the first 15 seconds was a jolt of confidence for the entire roster.
The Seahawks’ early momentum didn’t stop there. After stopping the 49ers on fourth down on their opening drive, Seattle tacked on a field goal to stretch the lead to 10-0. Then, safety Julian Love recovered a fumble forced by linebacker Ernest Jones IV, putting the Seahawks in prime position once again deep in San Francisco territory. The energy in the building was palpable, and the Seahawks’ defense and special teams were feeding off each other’s success.
Shaheed’s return was more than just a highlight; it was a statement about the importance of special teams in playoff football. “You want touchdowns? We got touchdowns!” the NFL on Prime Video account exclaimed, echoing the excitement that swept through social media and the city of Seattle.
For the 49ers, the early deficit was a gut punch. Their kicker, Eddy Pineiro, found himself on the wrong end of a penalty and a viral highlight, while San Francisco’s coverage unit was left searching for answers. The penalty for tripping Pineiro was enforced on the extra point attempt, but it was little consolation as the Seahawks had already seized the upper hand.
Shaheed’s journey from undrafted free agent to postseason hero is the kind of story that resonates with fans and players alike. His ability to change the game in an instant has made him a weapon the Seahawks can rely on in the biggest moments. With his first playoff touchdown now in the books, Shaheed has added another milestone to an already impressive resume.
As the divisional round matchup unfolded, all eyes remained on Seattle’s sideline. Would Darnold and the offense build on the special teams’ fireworks? Could the Seahawks’ defense continue to stifle the 49ers? While the outcome of the game remained in the balance, one thing was clear: Rashid Shaheed’s 95-yard dash had already delivered a signature moment in Seahawks playoff lore.
With the action still ongoing, the Seahawks’ early surge has given them the spark they needed to challenge San Francisco. Whether Shaheed’s heroics will be the turning point of the night or just the opening act, fans won’t soon forget the instant impact he made on one of football’s biggest stages.