History of Jimmy Graham in Timeline

Jimmy Graham is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2010 and has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears. Graham's path to the NFL was unique, as he played only one year of college football at the University of Miami after a successful four-year basketball career.

November 24, 1986: Birth of Jimmy Graham

Jimmy Graham was born on November 24, 1986.

2004: Horn Ties Franchise Record

Joe Horn tied the Saints franchise record for touchdowns in a season in 2004.

2005: Graham Begins Basketball Career at Miami

Jimmy Graham began playing basketball for the Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team in 2005.

2007: Colston Ties Franchise Record

Marques Colston tied the Saints franchise record for touchdowns in a season in 2007.

May 2009: Graham Graduates from Miami

Jimmy Graham graduated from the University of Miami with a double major in marketing and management in May 2009.

July 28, 2010: Graham Signs with the Saints

On July 28, 2010, Jimmy Graham signed his rookie contract with the New Orleans Saints.

2010: Graham's Rookie Season

In 2010, Jimmy Graham had a successful rookie season playing for the Saints, catching his first NFL touchdown and finishing strong.

2010: Drafted by the New Orleans Saints

In 2010, Jimmy Graham was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the NFL draft.

2011: Graham's Breakout Season

In 2011, Jimmy Graham had a breakout season, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and setting a then-record for receiving yards by a tight end.

2012: Graham Ties Franchise Touchdown Record

During the 2012 season, Jimmy Graham tied the Saints franchise record for most consecutive regular season games with a touchdown.

2012: Saints' Playoff Run

In 2012, Jimmy Graham and the Saints made the playoffs, winning in the Wild Card Round before falling to the 49ers in the Divisional Round.

2013: Jimmy Graham Becomes Free Agent

Following the conclusion of the 2013 NFL season, Jimmy Graham entered free agency, opening up possibilities for his future in the league.

2013: Graham Leads NFL in Touchdowns

Jimmy Graham led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 2013 and received numerous accolades, including Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors.

February 28, 2014: Saints Place Franchise Tag on Jimmy Graham

On February 28, 2014, the New Orleans Saints placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jimmy Graham, allowing him to negotiate with other teams while giving the Saints the right to match any offer or receive compensation.

July 2, 2014: Arbitrator Rules Graham as Tight End

On July 2, 2014, an arbitrator ruled that Jimmy Graham was a tight end for franchise tag purposes, impacting his contract negotiations with the Saints.

August 2014: Goalpost Dunk Ban and Graham's Penalty

In August 2014, the NFL banned dunking on goalposts as a touchdown celebration. Jimmy Graham became the first player penalized under this new rule during a preseason game.

2014: Jimmy Graham's 2014 Season

During the 2014 NFL season, Jimmy Graham recorded impressive stats with 85 receptions for 889 receiving yards and ten touchdowns. Notably, he had standout performances against the Browns and 49ers, showcasing his skills as a top tight end.

March 10, 2015: Jimmy Graham Traded to Seattle Seahawks

In a significant trade on March 10, 2015, the Seattle Seahawks acquired Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for center Max Unger and a first-round draft pick.

2015: Graham Earns Pro Bowl and Top 100 Recognition

Jimmy Graham's performance in the 2014 season earned him a Pro Bowl selection and a ranking of 31st on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2015, voted by his peers.

2016: Jimmy Graham's 2016 Season: A Resurgence

Jimmy Graham had a bounce-back year in 2016, finishing the season with 923 receiving yards, 65 receptions, and six touchdowns, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection as a member of the Seahawks.

2016: Last 100-yard Receiving Game Before Joining Packers

Prior to his success with the Packers, Jimmy Graham's last 100-yard receiving game occurred in Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season.

December 19, 2017: Jimmy Graham Selected to His Fifth Pro Bowl

On December 19, 2017, Jimmy Graham was named to his fifth Pro Bowl, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier tight ends.

March 16, 2018: Jimmy Graham Signs with Green Bay Packers

On March 16, 2018, Jimmy Graham signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Green Bay Packers, marking a new chapter in his NFL career.

July 2018: Aviation Advocacy and Leadership

In July 2018, Jimmy Graham, a licensed pilot, became co-chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Young Eagles program, alongside aerobatic champion Sean D. Tucker. The program introduces children to the world of aviation.

September 30, 2018: Graham Scores First Touchdown as a Packer

On September 30, 2018, Jimmy Graham scored his first touchdown as a member of the Green Bay Packers, a significant milestone in his career with the team.

October 15, 2018: Graham Achieves First 100-Yard Receiving Game with Packers

On October 15, 2018, Jimmy Graham showcased his receiving prowess with a 100-yard receiving game against the San Francisco 49ers, highlighting his impact on the Packers' offense.

November 4, 2018: Graham Scores Second Touchdown of the Season

Continuing his contributions to the Packers, Jimmy Graham scored his second touchdown of the 2018 season on November 4, 2018, against the New England Patriots.

2018: Graham Sets Seahawks Franchise Record and Earns Top 100 Honor

Jimmy Graham's exceptional 2017 season saw him set a Seahawks franchise record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with ten. His performance earned him recognition on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018, voted by his peers.

2019: Solid Performance in 2019 Season

Throughout the 2019 NFL season, Jimmy Graham maintained a consistent presence on the field, contributing significantly to the Packers' offense with notable performances against the Bears, Eagles, and Raiders.

March 12, 2020: Packers Release Jimmy Graham

On March 12, 2020, the Green Bay Packers made the decision to release Jimmy Graham, ending his tenure with the team.

March 26, 2020: Chicago Bears Sign Jimmy Graham

On March 26, 2020, Jimmy Graham signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chicago Bears, joining the team as a key offensive weapon.

2020: Philanthropic Work and Award Nomination

In 2020, Jimmy Graham was nominated by the Chicago Bears for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing his work with at-risk youth and military veterans through the Jimmy Graham Foundation.

November 25, 2021: Graham Scores Game-Winning Touchdown Against Lions

On November 25, 2021, Jimmy Graham made a crucial play, catching a 17-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton, securing a 16-14 victory for the Bears over the Detroit Lions.

2021: Continued Philanthropic Work and Award Nomination

Jimmy Graham continued his work with the Jimmy Graham Foundation in 2021, earning him another nomination from the Chicago Bears for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

2022: Graham Takes a Break from Football

Jimmy Graham took a year away from playing professional football in 2022, before returning to the league the following season.

May 2023: Bicycle Accident

In May 2023, Jimmy Graham was involved in a bicycle accident in Miami, where he was hit by a car. He sustained a laceration on his calf requiring stitches.

July 25, 2023: Graham Returns to New Orleans Saints

After spending the 2022 season away from football, Jimmy Graham returned to the NFL, signing a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on July 25, 2023, marking a return to the team where his NFL journey began.

August 18, 2023: Arrest and Medical Episode

On August 18, 2023, Jimmy Graham was arrested in Newport Beach, California, on suspicion of being under the influence of narcotics and obstructing a police officer. However, it was later revealed that he was experiencing a medical episode, suspected to be a seizure, leading to the charges being dropped.

August 19, 2023: Medical Episode and Hospitalization

On August 19, 2023, Jimmy Graham was taken into custody in Newport Beach, California, due to a medical condition related to seizures.

September 24, 2023: Return to the Field and Touchdown

On September 24, 2023, Jimmy Graham made his return to the field after 21 months, catching an 8-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr in a game against the Packers. He celebrated with a Lambeau Leap, warmly received by fans of his former team.