Profile

	Deion Branch #83
	Position:	Wide Receiver
	Height:	5’9”
	Weight:	193 lbs.
	Born:	July 18, 1979
	College:	University of Louisville
	Drafted:	2002, 2nd Round (65th overall), New England Patriots
	Acquired:	Trade 2006 (New England to Seattle Seahawks)
	Status:	Active
	NFL Experience:	5 seasons

 

The Athlete

Unlike most NFL players, playing professional football was not a lifelong dream for Deion Branch. 

“To be honest, I always put forth an effort and had a lot of confidence and I love the game of football but I didn’t see the light (of getting to the NFL) until my junior year of college. I realized that this is something that could really help me and my family.  I always loved the game and worked hard but it wasn’t a priority to make it to the NFL.” 

Now that Deion is here, he is continuing to work hard to become a great receiver and help his team win.

 

Size Doesn’t Matter
It’s always easy to assume that a 5’9” young man was always told he was too short to play football, but if people were saying that, Deion wasn’t hearing it. There is a story that his high school coach tells about Deion being cut from the team before the first practice.  The coach asked him to get off the bus because he was too small and didn’t want him to get hurt.  That didn’t matter, Deion showed up anyway.  Every day.  He would stay after and do the work necessary to make the team.  After a while, the coaches had no choice but to play the talented wide out.

Deion didn’t see anything special about what he did.  All he knew is that he was a kid competing for a position.  He remembers working with coaches and his uncle for long hours, but doesn’t remember it being a big deal.  Of course it wasn’t a big deal to Deion, just the people around him who saw what kind of effort he gave day in and day out. 

His entire life, Deion Branch has had a knack for making people forget how “undersized” he was.  Of course there were always the wise cracks about his height, but as soon as he was on the field, whether it was soccer or football he had no problem playing with the big kids.  That quality that has enabled Deion to have success in one of the most grueling sports there is.

“I never really thought there was anything that was going to stop me except myself.”

Cornerbacks in the NFL should feel somewhat comforted that not even Deion Branch could stop Deion Branch.

 

Draft Day
On draft day 1999 Deion was watching the NFL draft with family and friends in his hometown of Albany, GA.  After about the twentieth pick, he and a couple of his friends decided to take a walk.  While they were out, Deion got a call from the New England Patriot’s wide receiver coach letting him know the Patriots were going to draft him.  He told his friends and they ran home to watch it on TV with the rest of Deion’s supporters that were gathered at the house. 

Not Deion, he just sat outside a nearby apartment building trying to understand how his life was about to change, and waiting on hold to talk to his new coaches.  A lady living in the apartment building near where he was sitting was watching the draft on TV.  When she heard his name, she started cheering loudly.  All Deion could do was laugh.  Even though this wasn’t a lifelong dream of his, he realized that he had achieved one of his goals; finding a job that would allow him to take care of his family.  Deion was overwhelmed and humbled by the support he got from everybody.

“I think I was more happy that my family and everyone that supported me enjoyed it than anything.”

 

Welcome to the Pros
For an athlete, their first experience at the professional level is one they never forget.  For Deion Branch, that was no exception.  The most memorable part for Deion was that he was all of a sudden playing with the people that he looked up to and watched on TV for so many years.  Two teammates in particular helped Deion a great deal in his first few years in the league. 

“Both Troy Brown and David Patton wouldn’t hesitate to come over and help me out, tell me how to do things better.  Of course I was going to listen because these guys had been successful.”

Deion quickly developed a good relationship with Tom Brady and all of his New England teammates.  He realized he was lucky to be a part of a close-knit team like that who took care of each other every day. 

In September of 2006, after enjoying two Super Bowls in four good years in New England Deion was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.  There were a lot of teams vying for his services and he didn’t have a choice where he was headed, but he couldn’t have been happier with the result. 

“This is going to be a fun team.  I am happy to be in Seattle.  We all have the same goal.  We want to win the Super Bowl.  I tell you what, I’m excited for the season.  It’s going to be a good year.”

 

Super Achievement
There are Hall of Fame players that never get the chance to win the Super Bowl, let alone win two in their first four years in the NFL.  Deion was lucky enough to not only have played in and won two, but he just happened to be the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXXIX.

“That’s what it’s all about for football players” Deion said of playing in the Super Bowl.  “You never get used to it.  Even now it hasn’t sunk in that I won two.”

Well whether or not he believes it doesn’t change the fact that he did.  His 11 receptions for 133 yards in that game tied him with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and Dan Ross as the only players with 11 receptions in a Super Bowl game.  Combined with his 10 catches for 143 yards in Super Bowl XXXVII, Deion trails only Jerry Rice and Andre Reed for career Super Bowl receptions.

 

Constant Production
For most of his career, Deion Branch has been the model of consistency.  Having played five years in the league, Deion has amassed 3469 yards and 18 touchdowns and if it hadn’t been for an injury that cost him nearly half of the 2004 season, those totals would be higher.  He has started all but two of the games he has played in over the last three years, and Deion is well on his way to having a very productive career. 

Deion enjoyed his most proficient year to date in the 2004-2005 season when he became Tom Brady’s favorite target and caught 78 passes for 998 yards and 5 touchdowns.  His magical 2005 season culminated in Super Bowl XXXIX when he was named the MVP. 

Deion’s first season in Seattle was a productive one, but he also realizes that he has more to contribute.  Having the chance to settle into the offense and get to know the team better will give him the opportunity to continue to compile impressive individual stats.  More importantly, Deion is hoping that his contributions will lead to his team winning the Super Bowl.

 

Year	Team	Games	Games Started	Receptions	Yds	Avg	TD	1st Downs
2002	New England Patriots	13	7	43	489	11.4	2	22
2003	New England Patriots	15	11	57	803	14.1	3	40
2004	New England Patriots	9	9	35	454	13	4	27
2005	New England Patriots	16	15	78	998	12.8	5	51
2006	Seattle Seahawks	14	13	53	725	13.7	4	40
TOTAL		67	55	266	3469	13	18	180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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