Brandon Magee facts for kids

Brandon Magee (born October 22, 1990) is a former American athlete. He played both professional football and baseball. In football, he was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also played college football and baseball at Arizona State University.

Growing Up and High School Sports

Brandon Magee grew up in Corona, California. He was a star athlete at Centennial High School. He played on both the varsity baseball and football teams for four years.

High School Football Achievements

In his senior year, Brandon made 86 tackles in football. He also led his team with 7.5 sacks. A sack is when a defensive player tackles the opposing quarterback. He was known for being a strong defensive player.

During his high school career, Brandon had 193 tackles and 11 sacks. He helped his high school football team win league titles four years in a row. They also won two big championships called CIF Southern Section Titles.

Many colleges wanted Brandon to play for them. He was considered one of the best young athletes in the West. He chose to go to Arizona State University (ASU).

College Career at Arizona State

Brandon Magee accepted a football scholarship to Arizona State University. He studied Education and Sociology there. He played football for five years at ASU, appearing in 44 games.

Football Performance in College

As a weakside linebacker, he made 231 tackles. He also had 10 sacks and 24.5 tackles that caused a loss of yards for the other team. Brandon also caught three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

Two-Sport College Athlete

Brandon was also an outfielder for the Sun Devil baseball team. He continued to be a two-sport star. During his time at ASU, the baseball team won two Pac-12 titles. They also went to the College World Series twice.

Professional Football Career

After college, Brandon Magee became a professional football player. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys signed Brandon in 2013. He was an undrafted free agent, meaning no team picked him in the NFL draft. The Cowboys gave him a good amount of guaranteed money. He made 16 tackles in the team's first three practice games. However, he was released before the regular season started.

Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns picked up Brandon in September 2013. He played in eight games for them. He was mainly a special teams player. Special teams handle plays like kickoffs and punts. He was released by the Browns in 2014.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In July 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed Brandon. He was released and then signed to their practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team but are not on the main roster. He was later moved to the active roster. However, he got a serious injury to his chest muscle. He was then placed on the injured reserve list and later released in 2015.

Professional Baseball Career

Brandon Magee was also a talented baseball player. The Boston Red Sox picked him in the 23rd round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with them in July 2012. He had also been drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and the Oakland Athletics in 2011.

He attended spring training with the Boston Red Sox from 2012 to 2014. This was while he was also playing in the NFL. Brandon Magee is the only athlete in the 21st century to play professionally in both the NFL and MLB.

Giving Back to the Community

Brandon Magee has always been dedicated to helping others. He has done a lot of charity work.

High School Community Work

In high school, Brandon volunteered in his hometown of Corona, California. He and his friends hosted events for teenagers. They wanted to help their peers stay safe and off the streets. They organized annual Halloween parties and talent shows. They also helped open two youth centers called Mountain Top.

College and Beyond

While at ASU, Brandon visited over 30 elementary schools. He talked to kids about overcoming challenges. He also spoke about the importance of education and staying positive. He helped organize health fairs for children and their families. He visited hospitals, churches, and other youth groups in the Phoenix area. Brandon also spoke at Canyon State Academy about the benefits of doing well in school.