Tyvon Branch is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for several years. He was born on December 11, 1986, in Syracuse, New York, and attended the University of Connecticut, where he played college football for the Huskies.
Branch was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a key player on the Raiders' defense, starting in all 16 games in his rookie season. He continued to be a consistent performer for the Raiders over the next few years, earning a reputation as a hard-hitting safety with a nose for the ball.
In 2012, Branch signed a four-year contract extension with the Raiders, but his time with the team was cut short by injuries. He missed most of the 2013 season with a broken leg and played in only three games in 2014 before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
After being released by the Raiders in 2015, Branch signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in all 16 games for the Chiefs, starting in seven of them, and recorded 43 tackles and one interception.
Branch then signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, but his time with the team was once again marred by injuries. He played in just six games before suffering a groin injury that ended his season.
In 2017, Branch signed with the Buffalo Bills, but he was released by the team before the start of the regular season. He did not sign with another team for the remainder of the season and announced his retirement from the NFL in 2018.
Throughout his career, Branch was known for his physicality and his ability to make big plays on defense. He finished his NFL career with 476 tackles, 20 passes defended, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
Off the field, Branch was involved in several charitable endeavors, including the Tyvon Branch Foundation, which provides scholarships and other support to underprivileged youth in his hometown of Syracuse.
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