Jimmy Graham is a tight end for the Chicago Bears. Graham was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Graham was a standout basketball player in high school and earned a scholarship to the University of Miami. He played four years of basketball at Miami and just one year of football. Graham was eventually drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFL Draft. After five seasons in New Orleans, Graham also went on to play for the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers before landing with the Bears. Graham has been one of the best tight ends in the NFL since joining the league. He has four seasons with 10+ receiving touchdowns.
Jimmy Graham played defensive lineman in high school. While he wasn’t a standout football player (only played as a freshman), he was an excellent basketball player in high school. He began his high school basketball career at Community Christian in Wilson, North Carolina. He went on to play his junior and senior seasons at Charis Prep, also in Wilson. He went on to gain a basketball scholarship from the University of Miami.
Graham played four years of college basketball at Miami. After graduating with a double major, Graham stayed in Miami to take graduate classes. This led to famed Miami and NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar to talk Graham into playing college football.
Graham played just one season of football at Miami. In 2009, Graham played in all 13 games for the Hurricanes. He caught 17 passes for 213 yards and five touchdowns. Despite playing just one collegiate season, Graham’s size and raw talent led him to the NFL.
Graham was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the 95th overall pick. In his rookie season, Graham appeared in 15 games, starting five. He finished with 31 receptions for 357 yards and five touchdowns.
Graham had one of his best seasons as a professional in his second season. He caught a career-high 99 passes for 1,310 yards, also a career high. He also had 11 touchdowns. Graham would go on to play five seasons in New Orleans, having at least 889 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in each of his final four seasons with the team.
In March of 2015, Graham was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for center Max Unger and the Seahawks’ first-round pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played in 11 games before a torn right patellar tendon ended his season. He finished with 48 receptions for 605 yards and two touchdowns. In his three seasons with the Seahawks, Graham didn’t put up the numbers he did in New Orleans but was still very effective.
In March of 2018, Graham signed with the Green Bay Packers. His deal was for three years but the Packers released him after two seasons. Through his two seasons in Green Bay, Graham totaled a modest 93 receptions for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns.
On March 26, 2020, Graham signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears. Graham played in all 16 games but managed just 50 receptions and 456 yards, his third-lowest totals since his rookie season.
Graham signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Bears in 2020 worth $16 million. Graham has earned nearly $75 million through his 11-year career. He is set to earn $7 million in 2021. He has an estimated net worth of $12 million.
Growing up, Graham was placed in a foster home by his mother. He was beaten up and picked on for years before being adopted by Becky Vinson. As a result, Graham began to get better grades in school and became a standout basketball player, which earned him a scholarship at the University of Miami where he graduated with a double major.
Graham spends time helping at-risk youth and military veterans through his Jimmy Graham Foundation. Graham is also an experienced pilot.
Affiliate Disclosure: Lines may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.