Daniel Graham is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He was born on November 16, 1978, in Torrance, California, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Denver, Colorado. Graham was a standout football player in high school and was named the Colorado Player of the Year in 1996.
After graduating from high school, Graham attended the University of Colorado, where he played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was a two-time All-American and won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2001. Graham was also a member of the Colorado track and field team and won the Big 12 Conference championship in the shot put in 2000.
Graham was selected in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He played for the Patriots for five seasons and was a key member of their Super Bowl-winning teams in 2003 and 2004. Graham was known for his blocking ability and was often used as a fullback in short-yardage situations. He also caught 119 passes for 1,307 yards and 17 touchdowns during his time with the Patriots.
In 2007, Graham signed a five-year, $30 million contract with the Denver Broncos. He played for the Broncos for three seasons and caught 65 passes for 758 yards and five touchdowns. Graham was released by the Broncos in 2010 and signed with the Tennessee Titans, where he played his final season in the NFL.
Overall, Graham played in 153 NFL games and caught 224 passes for 2,490 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was known for his blocking ability and was considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the league during his career. Graham was also a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro team in 2005.
After retiring from the NFL, Graham became a high school football coach and worked as an analyst for the Pac-12 Network. He also founded the Daniel Graham Foundation, which provides scholarships and support for underprivileged youth in Colorado.
In conclusion, Daniel Graham had a successful football career that spanned nearly a decade in the NFL. He was a key member of two Super Bowl-winning teams and was known for his blocking ability and toughness on the field. Graham's contributions to the game of football have been recognized through his selection to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, and he continues to make a positive impact on the lives of young people through his foundation.
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