Chris Gragg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chris Gragg

Gragg with the Buffalo Bills in 2015
No. 89
Position:	Tight end
Personal information
Born:	(1990-06-30) June 30, 1990 (age 34) Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	244 lb (111 kg)
Career information
High school:	Warren (Warren, Arkansas)
College:	Arkansas
NFL Draft:	2013 / Round: 7 / Pick: 222
Career history
As player:
Buffalo Bills (2013–2016) New York Jets (2017)
As coach:
Memphis (GA/WR) (2020)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 24 Receiving yards: 251 Receiving touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Chris Gragg (born June 30, 1990) is a former American football player. He played as a tight end for the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League (NFL). Chris was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Bills chose him in the 2013 NFL draft.

Chris Gragg's Early Life and High School

Chris Gragg was born on June 30, 1990. His parents, Tenita and Kelvin Gragg, were both teachers. Chris's dad coached the football team at Warren High School. Chris helped the team as a water boy when he was younger.

He played football as a wide receiver for Warren High School. He played alongside future NFL players Jarius Wright and Greg Childs. In his last year of high school, Chris caught passes for 420 yards. He also scored 8 touchdowns.

Experts from Rivals.com rated him as a 2-star player. They said he was the 15th best player in Arkansas at his position. In July 2007, Chris decided to play for the University of Arkansas. Three other players from Warren High also joined him there.

Chris Gragg's College Football Career

Playing for the Arkansas Razorbacks

In his first year (2008), Chris played in all twelve games for the Arkansas Razorbacks. The team won 5 games and lost 7. In one game, Chris caught a 25-yard pass. This helped his team score a game-winning touchdown. This was his only catch that year.

In 2009, Chris changed his position from wide receiver to tight end. He was listed as the third tight end on the team. He got a medical redshirt that year. This meant he didn't play because he dislocated his ankle before the season.

Success and Injuries in College

In September 2010, Chris was still the third tight end. He caught his first touchdown of the year against the Georgia Bulldogs. It was a 57-yard pass. The 2010 Arkansas Razorbacks finished with a 10–3 record. They played in the Sugar Bowl but lost. Chris had 8 catches for 171 yards and two touchdowns that year.

Gragg in 2012 with Arkansas

Before the 2011 season, Chris became the main tight end. In one game, he caught 8 passes for 119 yards. Both were his best numbers in a single game. The team won and had a 10–1 record. Arkansas was ranked as the third-best team in the nation. They later played in the 2012 Cotton Bowl Classic. They won that game, tying a team record for most wins in a season. Chris caught 41 passes for 518 yards and two touchdowns that year.

In July 2012, Chris was nominated for the John Mackey Award. This award goes to the best tight end in college football. He was also named to the second team of the Coaches Preseason All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) squad. ESPN writers even called him the best tight end in the conference.

In the first game of the 2012 season, Chris had 7 catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He won the John Mackey Tight End of the Week award for this. However, he hurt his knee in September. This made him miss several games. He finished his last year at Arkansas with 22 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns. The team ended with a 4–8 record.

After college, Chris took part in the NFL Scouting Combine. This is where future NFL players show off their skills. Chris ran the fastest 40-yard dash among tight ends. He also had the longest broad jump and the highest vertical jump.

Chris Gragg's Professional Football Career

Joining the Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills picked Chris Gragg in the seventh round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was the 222nd player chosen overall. Chris signed a contract with the Bills in May 2013. He made the team's final roster in August.

Chris played his first NFL game on October 13, 2013. He caught his first pass and scored his first touchdown a few games later. By the end of 2013, Chris had 5 catches for 53 yards and one touchdown. The Bills finished last in their division that year.

Playing for the Bills (2014-2016)

In 2014, Chris made the Bills' team again. In a game against the Detroit Lions, he caught a touchdown pass. This helped the Bills tie the game, and they later won. Later that year, Chris hurt his right knee. This injury made him miss the rest of the season. He finished 2014 with 7 catches for 48 yards and one touchdown. He had surgery on his knee in January 2015.

In 2015, Chris played in 13 games, which was a career high for him. He also had career highs in catches (12) and receiving yards (150). The Bills finished with an 8–8 record and did not make the playoffs.

In August 2016, Chris blocked a punt in a preseason game. This led to a safety for his team. He also scored a touchdown in that game. However, on August 26, 2016, Chris tore a ligament in his knee. This injury made him miss the entire 2016 season.

Later Career with the New York Jets

Chris became a free agent in March 2017. He signed with the New York Jets on July 28, 2017. In a preseason game, Chris hurt his ankle. He was placed on the Jets' injured list. He did not play in any regular-season games for the Jets.

In March 2019, Chris worked out for the San Francisco 49ers. However, he did not sign with the team. When he played in the NFL, Chris was about 6 feet 3 inches tall. He weighed about 244 pounds.

Life After the NFL

Chris Gragg announced on his social media that he retired from the NFL in December 2019. In 2020, he worked as an assistant coach. He coached wide receivers for the Memphis Tigers football team.

Chris has a brother named Will. Will also played college football as a tight end for Arkansas. Chris earned a degree in sports management from the University of Arkansas.