In 1972, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Ahmad Rashad, which means "Admirable One Led To Truth". He eventually graduated from the University of Oregon, where he was a two-time All American.

During his playing career, he caught 495 catches, One catch stands out in his career, in a December 1980 game vs. the Cleveland Browns, Vikings quarterback Tommy Kramer threw a hail mary pass to Rashad that resulted in a come from behind 28-23 victory and a Central Division Title for the Vikings. This was known as the Miracle Catch.

After his playing career, he covered NFL and NBA televised contests as a studio anchor and game reporter as well as hosting NBA Inside Stuff. In addition to this, his television resume includes his role as host of video-clip show Real TV, the reality show Celebrity Mole, and the short-lived game show Caesar's Challenge (as of 2006, the last daytime game show to be shown on NBC).

His former wife Phylicia Rashad co-starred alongside Bill Cosby on The Cosby Show as Clair Huxtable. Ahmad proposed to Phylicia during a pregame on a nationally televised Thanksgiving Day NFL game (the New York Jets vs the Detroit Lions -November 28, 1985). They were married on December 14, 1985. Their daughter, Condola Phylea Rashad, was born on December 11, 1986 in New York. He also has three children from a previous marriage: daughters Keva (born in 1970), Maiysha (born in 1974) and son Ahmad Jr. (born in 1978). He has one stepson, Billy (Phylicia's son from a previous marriage). The couple divorced in 2001.

His last name comes from his mentor in St. Louis Rashad Khalifa. There are at least two players in the NFL that were named after him, Ahman Rashad Green, running back for the Green Bay Packers, and Ahmad-Rashad Merritt, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. Rashard Lewis, an NBA basketball player with the Seattle Supersonics, was also named after Ahmad.