Jamaal Branch
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Free Agent — No. 35 | |
| Running back | |
| Date of birth: January 30, 1981 | |
| Place of birth: Hartford, Connecticut | |
| Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | Weight: 230 lb (100 kg) |
| National Football League debut | |
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| 2006 for the New Orleans Saints | |
| Career history | |
| College: Colgate | |
| Undrafted in 2006 | |
Teams:
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Stats at NFL.com | |
Jamaal Branch (born January 30, 1981 in Hartford, Connecticut) is an American football running back currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Colgate.
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[edit] Early years
Branch attended Falmouth High School in Falmouth, Massachusetts and was a letterman in football, basketball, and lacrosse. In football, he was a three-year letterman, a two-time first team All-Cape Cod selection, and was twice named as an Old Colony All-Star selection. Upon graduation Jamaal attended New Hampton Prep School in New Hampton, New Hampshire where he continued to star on the football field. While attending New Hampton Prep Branch earned the All New England player of the year award, joining Willie Ford, another former Falmouth High graduate who earned it two years prior.
[edit] College career
Branch played College football at Colgate University from 2000-2001, 2003-2004. After sitting out all of 2002 for personal reasons, Branch led all of Division I football with 168.8 rushing yards and 12.5 points per game in 2003, setting NCAA records for yards (2,026), touchdowns (25), rushes (338), 100-yard games (11), and consecutive 100-yard games (11). He received the 2003 Walter Payton Award, given annually by The Sports Network.com to the best player in Division I-AA football[1]. It is widely considered to be the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy for Division I-A.
[edit] Pro career
On December 29, 2006, it was reported that the New Orleans Saints signed Branch to their roster[2]. It is widely thought that this move was to help give Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush a rest before the upcoming playoffs.
Two days later, in the Saints' New Year's Eve game against the Carolina Panthers, Branch scored his first touchdown. It was a catch that was 7 yard outside rush to the end zone.
Branch broke his leg on the opening kickoff. Branch won't play again until 2008. He was later released by the Saints on May 2, 2008.
[edit] Personal
He is a member of the Wampanoag Tribe through his mother and of African American ancestry on his father's side.
[edit] References
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