Profiles In Sportage: Earnest Graham

    Earnest Graham represents the anti-thesis of an NFL star in the current state of professional football. The little known fullback in Tampa Bay has never rushed for 1,000 yards, but he is one of the most respected running backs in the NFC. 

His career began with little fanfare and outside of the 2007 season, he has worked away in relative obscurity. From his all star- like beginnings in high school to his undrafted NFL start, Graham has hit the grass, or turf, with the same enthusiasm and desire as a kid on a Pop Warner team.

Graham began his college career in Florida in 1998 after being named Mr. Football for the state of Florida in 1997. He elected to stay in state and played his college ball at the University of Florida under Steve Spurrier. Graham would play behind Robert Gillespie for three years at Florida earning second team ALL SEC honors his sophomore year. But, it was Graham's senior year that would define him. 

After an injury marred junior season Graham went into Gainseville with low expectation for his senior season. But, at the end of the season Graham had rushed for over 1,000 yards, scored 11 touchdowns, and was ranked in the top ten for every major Florida rushing record. Graham went to the NFL combine sure of his star status in the NFL.


But, after a slow 40 yard dash time and an injury-prone label, Graham would not hear his name called during the 2003 NFL draft. 


Graham would sign with the Cleveland Browns during the 2003 off-season only to be cut a week later. During the 2003 season he would sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, only to be cut a week later, as well. That off-season the Bucs would give Graham another shot, but this time Graham would do whatever it took to stay on. 


He started out on special teams. Graham had not played special teams before, but he was willing to do anything to play football. He would act as a gunner on punts, block during field goals and block during punt returns. There was an opening on the depth chart for fullbacks, so Graham became a full back. Then things started to pay off.

In 2006, Graham led the Bucs in special team tackles. in 2007, the call finally came for Earnest Graham. Injuries to Michael Pittman, Carnell Williams, and Mike Alstott forced the Bucs to start Graham for 10 games, at tailback. He rushed for over 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. Mr. Florida football was back. 


The 2008 season began with high expectations for the scrappy runner. He was expected to share the load with veteran Warrick Dunn. But, injuries can change the course of careers and so Graham's odyssey continued. 


Several fullbacks went down during 2008 and the Bucs 2007 leading rusher answered the call. Rather, than bring in a new fullback and work him into the system, Graham suggested he move to fullback. He renounced his rushing leader crown and took to opening up running lanes for Dunn. The selfless player, Graham knew what it meant to win as a team and not just for oneself. The Bucs were 7-3 with him at full back when he went down with an ankle injury in week 11.


Injuries have now caught up to man who once saw opportunity when other players went on the Injured Reserve. He started 6 games in 2009 and went down with a ligament tear in his toe. Carnell Williams return in 2009 and 2010 has meant a permanent movement for Graham back to fullback. 

However, his career has never been brighter. Far removed from the days of hanging onto the practice squad. He is Tampa Bay's starting fullback. He no longer runs as the gunner on punts and kickoffs. He has returned to the backfield where he meant to go 9 years ago in the NFL draft. Now he blocks for the position that made him famous during high school. But, Earnest Graham found a way to make it in the NFL, as a teammate.