Azur Kamara
Azur Kamara is an Ivorian professional gridiron football linebacker. He played college football at Kansas. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He has also been a member of the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Edmonton Elks.
Early life
Kamara was born in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He moved to the United States at the age of 10, after his mother finally gained approval to send for her four children. His mother had arrived 5 years earlier as a refugee from the First Ivorian Civil War.He attended Central High School. As a freshman, he began playing American football for the first time. As a senior, he had 106 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, while receiving All-conference honors.
College career
Arizona Western
Kamara enrolled at Arizona Western College. As a freshman, he tallied 45 tackles, 13.5 tackles-for-loss, 8 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.As a sophomore, he posted 30 tackles, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 12.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, one pass breakup and one blocked kick, while contributing to the team reaching the NJCAA national title game.
Kansas
He transferred to the University of Kansas after his sophomore season. As a junior, he appeared in all 12 games with 3 starts. He registered 16 tackles, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.As a senior, he was named the starter at outside linebacker. He started 12 games, while making 51 tackles, 6 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries.
Kamara played with fellow Jayhawk Hakeem Adeniji in the 2020 Senior Bowl.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Kamara was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2020 NFL draft on April 27, 2020. On August 1, 2020, he was waived with an injury designation. After going unclaimed on waivers, he reverted to the Cowboys' injured reserve.During training camp in 2021, Kamara, along with his mother, who attended a game of his for the first time, were featured on Hard Knocks as he battled for a roster spot. He appeared in nine games, playing mostly on special teams, and recorded three tackles. He was waived on December 20.
Carolina Panthers
On December 21, 2021, Kamara was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. On December 22, he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 28.Kamara was waived on May 11, 2022.