After sitting out two seasons because of legal issues, defensive tackle Ra’Shede Hageman says he is a changed man and wants another shot at the NFL.

The Minneapolis native and former University of Minnesota star was released by the Atlanta Falcons in September 2017 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct following an arrest in March 2016 on domestic violence charges.

Hageman then was arrested last June in Hennepin County on suspicion of fourth-degree driving while impaired, and eventually pleaded to careless driving.

Hageman said Wednesday “it sucks” having been out of the NFL. He has been in living in Fridley and working out regularly.

“It’s been one heck of a two years sitting out and just watching my fellow teammates play, but it’s definitely a learning experience,” Hageman told the Pioneer Press while attending Minnesota’s Pro Day. “The whole process is just getting back in everybody’s ear (with NFL teams) about me staying out of trouble. You can’t beat around the bush. They obviously want to see consistency with me. I’m letting everybody know that my past is my past.”

A source said about five teams have shown some interest in signing Hageman, including Minnesota. The Vikings could use another defensive tackle.

Hageman, 28, started 16 of 44 games for the Falcons from 2014-16 after being a second-round draft pick. He started Super Bowl LI, a 34-28 overtime loss to New England in February 2017.

“I’m probably in the best shape of my life just for the fact that I’ve been spending a year and half away from football with nothing to do but work and train,” Hageman said. “Whatever team I end up playing with, they’re going to get a hard, hungry, humble player.”

Hageman faced charges of battery, cruelty to children and interfering with calls for emergency assistance from an alleged March 2016 incident at the Atlanta-area home of the mother of his son. Hageman said he never struck anyone.

“The domestic (violence charges) got dropped,” he said. “It was disorderly conduct (that he pleaded to). … I’m not going to go into detail (on what happened). Disorderly conduct is you yelling, cussing, swearing out loud. It varies. Disorderly conduct could be a range of things, just verbal confrontation.

“At the end of the day, I’m a better person. I’ve learned from my experiences and I move forward. … Sitting out has really humbled me.”

Hageman said he performed 100 hours of community service, which included “stacking food for the homeless in the Atlanta area.” He said he has taken some “classes just to educate myself to avoid some situations.”

For Hageman’s legal issues while he was with the Falcons, the NFL suspended him for six games in 2017. Though he wasn’t on a roster, that suspension is off the books since Hageman was still under contract that season, and was docked six weeks of pay.

Hageman said last June’s incident could result in a two-game NFL suspension if he were to sign with a team.

“I’ve been doing this for 24 years, and I can sniff out the guys who have learned from their mistakes and have been humbled,” said Hageman’s agent, Joby Branion. “(Hageman) has accepted responsibility and has acknowledged what happened. .. The league really likes it when players accept responsibility and show personal growth, and I think he’s done that in spades. So I think he’s poised to get another opportunity coming here soon, I hope.”

Since the Falcons let him go, Hageman has kept in regular contact with linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, a former Gophers teammate and a Falcons teammate in 2016. Campbell also was at Wednesday’s Pro Day at the U.

“I just hope (Hageman) gets another chance,” Campbell said. “Everybody makes mistakes, but you never really get a chance to see what they learned if they don’t get another shot.”

Campbell said Hageman was “a huge loss” for the Falcons, who were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round in 2017 and went 7-9 last season. Campbell, though, has continued to develop as a starter, and is hopeful of signing a contract extension with Atlanta before his deal runs out after the 2019 season.

“Any time you’re in a situation that I’m in, coming into a contract year, you kind of want to know what you’re getting into,” Campbell said. “I think I’m playing pretty well. I’ve just got to continue to get better every year.”