Kole Ayi

Bamikole Richard Ayi (born September 27, 1978) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams. Ayi played college football at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He was a member of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Early life Bamikole Richard Ayi was born on September 27, 1978, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He played high school football at Nashua High School South in Nashua, New Hampshire and was a three-year letterman. He spent time at outside linebacker, tight end, and safety in high school. Ayi was named second-team all-state as a junior. He was named second-team All-Atlantic 10 for his performance during the 1998 season. He also earned first-team All-Atlantic 10 and The Sports Network first-team All-American honors for the second consecutive year.

Ayi finished his college career with a school-record 330 solo tackles. He played in six games for the Rams in 2002, posting four solo tackles and one assisted tackle, before being placed on injured reserve for the second year in a row on October 16, 2002.