Khairi Sivad Fortt was born in Washington, DC, on March 24, 1992. He attended Stamford High School in Stamford, CT, where he was a starting player for four years under Coach Kevin Jones. Khairi exploded onto the national scene and received 52 scholarships from top football programs across the country. He was honored by the City of Stamford for being selected to participate in the US Army All-American Bowl, an honor reserved for only the nation's top high school players. Khairi is a gifted player with assets that include his size, athleticism, speed, and ability to read quarterbacks. In 2009, ESPN & Rivals ranked him as the second-best high school inside linebacker in the nation.

Khairi attended Penn State under Coach Joe Paterno and continued his education at the University of California under Coach Sonny Dykes. He finished his collegiate football career with the reputation of being one of the top 12 linebackers in America, being nominated for the prestigious Butkus Award. He then entered the NFL Draft and was selected 126th overall in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.

As a Stamford, Connecticut, native, Khairi has developed a deep love for his hometown and actively supports many youth and community leaders. His athletic accomplishments have afforded him the opportunity to speak to many young, aspiring athletes about the importance of higher education in pursuing their dreams. This passion and desire motivated Khairi to start his own non-profit, The Khairi Fortt Foundation, to give back to the community and the city that he holds so close to his heart. Additionally, Khairi and his family members own and operate KAO Distribution, LLC, a company that distributes various products around the country.