Kahlil Rafiq Carter, (born September 13, 1976) is a former professional gridiron football player and coach.
Carter has been a professional gridiron football player in the Arena Football League, NFL Europe, and the Canadian Football League. His last season of professional football was spent playing defensive back in the AFL for the Iowa Barnstormers in 2010. Carter has also spent time in NFL Europe with the Scottish Claymores. Carter also was a defensive back in the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes.
Carter has also coached in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders from 2015-2017 as their defensive backs coach, and served as a scout for the Montreal Alouettes in 2018.
College football
From 1994 to 1997, Carter walked-on to the University of Arkansas' football team along with Brandon Burlsworth who inspired the movie Greater. He began his university career as a quarterback before making the transition to wide receiver. In 1998, Carter transferred to Southern Arkansas University where he led the Muleriders in special teams tackles.
Professional football career
2000
Carter signed with the Arkansas Twisters of af2. He rotated between QB, WR, DB, LB and became the first player in team history to be signed to a professional contract (AFL). Completed 16–25 passes for 201 yards and 6 touchdowns while catching 10 passes for 165 yards and 5 touchdowns. Also recorded 25 tackles 2 ints, and 11 pbu's.
2001
Signed by the Milwaukee Mustangs (AFL). Played in all 14 regular season games with Milwaukee and recorded 35 catches for 364 yards and 6 touchdowns to go along with 24 tackles, two knockdowns, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on defense. Saw time at QB and completed four of four passes and two touchdowns. Named teams rookie of the year and a reserve on the AFL all-Rookie team.
2002
Acquired by the Toronto Phantoms (AFL) in the 2002 dispersal draft and recorded 17 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and two knockdowns, catching 10 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown.
2003
Attended training camp with the eventual ArenaBowl champions Tampa Bay Storm. Signed with the Arkansas Twisters (af2) and set an af2 league record with 14 interceptions in 14 games (16 interceptions in 17 games including playoffs) and was named af2 Defensive Player of the Year.
2004
Signed with the Orlando Predators of the AFL to complement all-time great Kenny McEntyre. Signed by the Buffalo Bills and allocated to the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe. Led team in special team tackles. Recorded 28 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 2 force fumbles and 1 blocked field goal while captaining one of the stingiest secondaries in NFL Europe history. Attended training camp with the Buffalo Bills before sustaining season ending sports hernia.
2005
Acquired by Nashville Katz (AFL) in 2005 dispersement draft and recorded 70 tackles, 7 INT (second most in the AFL) and one forced fumble with Nashville. Named Second-Team All-Arena at corner and safety.
2006
Carter was a pre-season all-arena selection for the Nashville Katz of the AFL. Named AFL Defensive Player of the Week on February 28 after posting 11 tackles, 2 pass break-ups and an interception in Katz victory. Named Defensive Player of the Week in Conference Championship vs Dallas for recording 2 INT, one for a TD. He played in ArenaBowl XX where he recorded the longest touchdown run in ArenaBowl history (36 yards.) He joined the Toronto Argonauts (CFL) in week 2 and eventually played in 12 games, starting seven at DB and CB, also saw time at LB and on ST. Established career highs in defensive tackles, interceptions and interception return yards. Moved into a third place tie with LB Don Wilson on the Argos’ all-time single season interception yards list with 184. Placed tied for 3rd all-time on Argo's consecutive games with an interception list with 3. Week 7, recorded his first-ever CFL interception (03/08/06) and returned it 84-yards for a TD.
2007
Dressed for all 18 regular season games rotating in the Toronto Argonauts' secondary, starting 6 at DB and CB. Finished the season with 3 ints and two defensive touchdowns. Named player of the week on Sept 13 for a 7 tackle performance which included an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown against Hamilton. Named to the af2 anniversary team and voted the #2 defensive specialist in af2 history. Had his #9 jersey retired by the Arkansas Twisters of the af2.