History of Odell Beckham Jr. in Timeline
Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr., known as OBJ, is a prominent American football wide receiver. He gained recognition playing college football for the LSU Tigers before being drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. Beckham has since played for several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins.
1924: First Player Since 1924 with Touchdown Pass and Receiving Touchdown
During the 2018 season, Beckham became the first player to record multiple games with a touchdown pass and a receiving touchdown in a single season since Eddie Kaw and Benny Boynton in 1924.
1950: Fourth Player Since 1950 with Passing and Receiving Yard Feat
During Week 5 of the 2018 season, Beckham Jr. became only the fourth player since 1950 to record a passing touchdown of at least 50 yards while also achieving at least 100 receiving yards in the same game.
October 13, 1985: Mark Bavaro's 12 Receptions
On October 13, 1985, Mark Bavaro, a Giants tight end, had 12 receptions against the Cincinnati Bengals. This record would be tied by Beckham in 2014.
1989: Father's LSU Football Career
In 1989, Odell Beckham Sr., Odell's father, started his running back career at LSU.
1990: Father Mentioned in Friday Night Lights
In 1990, Odell Beckham Sr. was mentioned in Buzz Bissinger's book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream.
November 5, 1992: Odell Beckham Jr. Born
On November 5, 1992, Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr., also known as OBJ, was born.
1992: Father Plays at LSU, Mother Pregnant
In 1992, Odell Beckham Sr. played running back at LSU, and Heather Van Norman, Odell's mother, found out she was pregnant with him.
1993: Mother Wins National Championships
In 1993, Heather Van Norman, Odell's mother, ran for three national championship relay teams, winning the events of indoor and outdoor 4 × 400 m and the outdoor 4 × 100 m relay.
2001: First Player Since David Patten to Record Passing TD
In Week 5 of the 2018 season, Beckham became the first player since David Patten in 2001 to record a passing touchdown of at least 50 yards while having at least 100 receiving yards in the same game.
2002: Jeremy Shockey's Pro Bowl Selection
In 2002, Jeremy Shockey was selected to the Pro Bowl. This is relevant as Beckham would be the first Giants rookie since Shockey to make the Pro Bowl.
2010: Track and Field Achievements
In 2010, Beckham excelled in track and field, taking silver in the long jump at the Newman Invitational and earning sixth-place finishes in the 200-meter dash and long jump at the LA 2A State Meet.
2010: First Non-QB with Multiple Passing TDs
In 2018, Odell Beckham Jr. became the first non-quarterback with multiple passing touchdowns in a season since Antwaan Randle El in 2010.
September 3, 2011: Collegiate Debut Against Oregon
On September 3, 2011, Beckham made his collegiate debut against the #3 Oregon Ducks, recording two receptions for 10 yards in the victory.
2011: Named to Times Picayune 2011 Blue-Chip list
In 2011, Beckham was named to the Times Picayune Blue-Chip list and Louisiana 2A All-State first-team, earning District 9-2A Offensive MVP honors.
2011: Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
In 2011, Odell Beckham Jr. played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
2011: Giants Return to Playoffs
In 2016, the Giants made the playoffs for the first time since 2011, marking a return to the postseason after a five-year absence.
2012: First Collegiate Punt Return Touchdown
In 2012, Beckham had his first collegiate career punt return touchdown against North Texas, and his first game with over 100 receiving yards against Towson.
2012: Started in the BCS National Championship Game
In 2012, Beckham started in the BCS National Championship Game during his first year at LSU.
2013: Productive Season with Jarvis Landry
In 2013, Beckham and Jarvis Landry formed a productive wide receiver duo, with Beckham earning the Paul Hornung Award for his versatility and leading the SEC in kickoff return yards.
2013: Won the Paul Hornung Award
In 2013, Beckham won the Paul Hornung Award following his junior season.
May 19, 2014: Signed with the New York Giants
On May 19, 2014, Beckham signed a four-year contract with the New York Giants for $10.4 million.
October 5, 2014: NFL Debut
On October 5, 2014, Beckham made his NFL debut against the Atlanta Falcons, recording four receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.
November 23, 2014: "The Catch"
On November 23, 2014, Beckham made a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys, hailed as one of the greatest catches ever.
December 8, 2014: Jersey Displayed in Pro Football Hall of Fame
On December 8, 2014, the Pro Football Hall of Fame put Beckham's jersey from the "catch of the year" game on display.
December 14, 2014: Rookie Records
On December 14, 2014, Beckham became the first NFL rookie with at least 12 catches, 140 yards, and three scores in a game and tied Mark Bavaro's Giants rookie record for most receptions in a game.
December 21, 2014: Extended Receiving Streak
On December 21, 2014, Beckham extended his streak of 90 or more receiving yards in a game to eight, racking up 148 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the St. Louis Rams.
2014: Entered the NFL Draft
After the 2013 season, Odell Beckham Jr. decided to forgo his senior season and entered the 2014 NFL draft.
2014: PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
Beckham was awarded the 2014 Pro Football Writers Association Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
2014: Hamstring Injuries During Rookie Season
During the 2014 season, Beckham revealed that he suffered from two hamstring injuries before the season.
2014: Drafted by the New York Giants
In 2014, Odell Beckham Jr. was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the NFL draft.
2014: Broke NFL Rookie Receiving Records
In 2014, despite missing the first four games due to injury, Beckham broke numerous NFL rookie receiving records and won Offensive Rookie of the Year.
January 7, 2015: Pro Bowl Selection
On January 7, 2015, Beckham replaced Calvin Johnson in the Pro Bowl due to injury, becoming the first Giants rookie wide receiver in franchise history to make the Pro Bowl.
January 29, 2015: Sets World Record for One-Handed Catches
On January 29, 2015, Odell Beckham Jr. partnered with Drew Brees to set a new world record for the most one-handed catches made in a minute with 33 catches, during a live ESPN broadcast from Glendale, Arizona. However, this record was later broken.
January 31, 2015: Offensive Rookie of the Year
On January 31, 2015, Beckham was named Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press.
May 13, 2015: Madden NFL 16 Cover
On May 13, 2015, Beckham was voted to the cover of Madden NFL 16, becoming the youngest player to grace the cover.
December 21, 2015: NFL Suspends Odell Beckham Jr.
On December 21, 2015, Odell Beckham Jr. was suspended for one game without pay by the NFL Disciplinary Committee for multiple violations of safety-related playing rules. He appealed the decision, but the suspension was upheld.
2015: Part of Catching Odell TV Movie
In 2015, Odell Beckham Jr. was featured in Catching Odell, a TV movie providing a behind-the-scenes look at his preparations for the upcoming season.
2016: Fastest to 200 Career Receptions and 4,000 Receiving Yards
In 2016, Beckham became the fastest NFL player to reach 200 career receptions and 4,000 career receiving yards, also reaching the NFL playoffs for the first time.
2016: Television Debut in Code Black
In 2016, Odell Beckham Jr. made his television debut in Code Black.
2016: Career achievements and Playoff Appearance
In 2016, Odell Beckham Jr. started all 16 games for the first time in his career, achieving a career-high 101 receptions, 1,367 receiving yards, and ten touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl for a third year. The Giants clinched a Wild Card spot and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2011.
2016: Pro Bowl Selection and NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2016, Odell Beckham Jr. was selected for the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row. He was also ranked 10th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.
April 24, 2017: Giants Exercise Fifth-Year Option
On April 24, 2017, the New York Giants exercised Odell Beckham Jr.'s fifth-year option, securing him for another year.
May 2017: Signs Largest Endorsement Contract in NFL History with Nike
In May 2017, Odell Beckham Jr. signed the largest endorsement contract in NFL history with Nike, worth $25 million over five years with incentives to extend it to eight years and $48 million.
June 1, 2017: Mother Resigns Coaching Position
On June 1, 2017, Beckham's mother, Heather Van Norman, resigned from her position as the coach of the Nicholls State University track and field team.
2017: Season-Ending Ankle Injury
In 2017, Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a fractured left ankle during Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers, which required surgery and sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
2017: NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2017, Odell Beckham Jr. was ranked eighth by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.
August 27, 2018: Contract Extension with the Giants
On August 27, 2018, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a five-year, $95 million contract extension with the New York Giants, including $41 million fully guaranteed.
2018: NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2018, Odell Beckham Jr. was ranked 77th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018, despite only playing in four games during the 2017 season.
2018: Appears in Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande Music Video
In 2018, Odell Beckham Jr., along with his then-Giants teammate Brad Wing, appeared in the music video for the Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande song "Bed".
2018: Baptized in Jordan River
In the summer of 2018, Odell Beckham Jr. was baptized in the Jordan River.
March 13, 2019: Traded to the Cleveland Browns
On March 13, 2019, Odell Beckham Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Browns along with Olivier Vernon in exchange for Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Zeitler, and draft picks.
October 5, 2019: Fined by the NFL
On October 5, 2019, Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $14,037 by the NFL following an incident in a game against the Ravens.
2019: NFL Top 100 Ranking
In 2019, Odell Beckham Jr. was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2019.
January 21, 2020: Core Muscle Surgery
On January 21, 2020, Odell Beckham Jr. underwent core muscle surgery to address a sports hernia issue.
October 2020: ACL Injury Against the Bengals
During the Super Bowl against the Bengals in 2022, it was revealed that Odell Beckham Jr. suffered a torn ACL, nearly a year and a half since he first tore it with Cleveland in October 2020, also against the Bengals.
October 27, 2020: Placed on Injured Reserve
On October 27, 2020, Odell Beckham Jr. was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL, prematurely ending his season with the Cleveland Browns.
March 2021: Strategic Advisor to Tribe Capital SPAC
In March 2021, Odell Beckham Jr. became a strategic advisor to a SPAC sponsored by Tribe Capital.
November 5, 2021: Browns Announce Release of Beckham
On November 5, 2021, the Cleveland Browns announced that they would be releasing Odell Beckham Jr. after being excused from practices and following social media outrage from Beckham's father.
November 11, 2021: Signed with the Los Angeles Rams
On November 11, 2021, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams after being released by the Cleveland Browns.
2021: First 100+ Yard Receiving Game Since 2021
In Week 11 of 2023, Odell Beckham Jr. had four receptions for 116 yards, marking his first 100+ yard receiving game since 2021, in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
2021: Signed by the Los Angeles Rams
Midway through the 2021 season, Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Rams and went on to win Super Bowl LVI.
January 17, 2022: First Playoff Touchdown
On January 17, 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. scored his first career playoff touchdown in the Wild Card Game against the Arizona Cardinals while playing for the Los Angeles Rams.
February 17, 2022: Birth of First Child
On February 17, 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. and his partner Lauren Wood's first child, a son, was born.
September 8, 2022: Participates in Rams' Banner Ceremony
On September 8, 2022, Odell Beckham Jr., despite being a free agent, participated in the Los Angeles Rams' championship banner ceremony before their opening game.
November 27, 2022: Escorted Off American Airlines Flight
On November 27, 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. was escorted off an American Airlines flight in Miami for refusing to put on his seatbelt and appearing unresponsive. He was later banned from all future American Airlines flights.
2022: Rehabbing ACL Injury
In 2022, Beckham spent the season out of football, rehabbing an ACL injury sustained in the Super Bowl.
2022: Super Bowl Champion
In 2022, Odell Beckham Jr. won his first career Super Bowl championship with the Los Angeles Rams, despite leaving the game early due to a torn ACL.
April 9, 2023: Signed with Baltimore Ravens
On April 9, 2023, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
2023: Signed with the Baltimore Ravens
In 2023, Beckham signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
March 13, 2024: Released by the Ravens
On March 13, 2024, Odell Beckham Jr. was released by the Baltimore Ravens.
May 8, 2024: Signed with the Miami Dolphins
On May 8, 2024, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.
December 2024: Released by the Miami Dolphins
In December 2024, Beckham and the Miami Dolphins mutually agreed to his release.
2024: Brother Wins Love Island USA
In 2024, Beckham's brother, Kordell Beckham, won season 6 of the reality dating competition show Love Island USA.
