Deion Branch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Deion Branch

Branch in 2011
Louisville Cardinals
Position:	Director of player development and alumni relations
Personal information
Born:	(1979-07-18) July 18, 1979 (age 45) Albany, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:	195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:	Monroe (Albany, Georgia)
College:	Jones County JC (1997–1998) Louisville (2000–2001)
NFL Draft:	2002 / Round: 2 / Pick: 65
Career history
As player:
New England Patriots (2002–2005) Seattle Seahawks (2006–2010) New England Patriots (2010–2012) Indianapolis Colts (2013)
As coach:
Louisville (2022) Interim head coach
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXXVIII, XXXIX) Super Bowl MVP (XXXIX) 2× First-team All-C-USA (2000, 2001) Second-team All-American (1998) Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor Inducted into KY Pro Football HOF (2005) Albany Sports Hall of Fame (2005)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 518 Receiving yards: 6,644 Receiving touchdowns: 39
Head coaching record
Career:	1–0 (college)
Player stats at PFR

Anthony Deion Branch Jr. (born July 18, 1979) is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). A wide receiver is a player who catches passes from the quarterback. Deion is now the director of player development and alumni relations at the University of Louisville.

The New England Patriots picked him in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisville. Deion Branch was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005. He caught 11 passes for 133 yards in that game. This tied a Super Bowl record for catches. He was the first wide receiver to win this award since 1989. After playing for the Patriots, Branch joined the Seattle Seahawks from 2006 to 2010. He then returned to the Patriots for two more seasons.

Early Life

Deion Branch was born in Albany, Georgia. He went to Monroe Comprehensive High School in Albany. There, he played both football and track and field.

College Football Journey

Junior College Days

After high school, Branch attended Jones County Junior College in Mississippi. He played football there for two years. In 1997, he caught 37 passes for 639 yards. He also scored five touchdowns. In 1998, he had 70 catches for 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns. His great performance earned him second-team All-American honors.

Playing for Louisville

Branch then played two seasons for the University of Louisville. In 2000, he led his team with 71 catches for 1,016 yards. He also scored nine touchdowns. The Cardinals won the Conference USA Football Championship that year. They played in the 2000 Liberty Bowl. Branch had 10 catches for 170 yards in that game. He was named a first-team All-Conference USA player.

In 2001, Branch again led the team with 72 catches. He gained 1,188 yards and scored nine touchdowns. The Cardinals won the Conference USA Football Championship again. They also won the 2001 Liberty Bowl against BYU. Branch scored a 34-yard touchdown in that game. He was again named a first-team All-Conference USA player.

Professional NFL Career

New England Patriots Highlights

The Patriots picked Branch in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. In his first year, 2002, he had 43 catches for 489 yards. He also scored two touchdowns. In 2003, he led the team with 57 catches for 803 yards. The Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVIII that year. Branch caught 10 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl.

In 2004, Branch helped the Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX. He tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches for 133 yards. He was named the Super Bowl MVP. This was his second Super Bowl win. In 2005, he had his best season with 78 catches for 998 yards. He also scored five touchdowns.

Trade to the Seattle Seahawks

Branch during his time with the Seattle Seahawks

After the 2005 season, Branch wanted a new contract. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on September 11, 2006. The Seahawks gave the Patriots a first-round draft pick for him. Branch then signed a six-year contract with Seattle.

In 2006, Branch played 14 games for the Seahawks. He had 53 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns. In 2007, he had 49 catches for 661 yards. He also scored four touchdowns. Branch played for the Seahawks until 2010.

Back with the Patriots

Branch in 2011

On October 11, 2010, Branch was traded back to the Patriots. This move brought him back together with quarterback Tom Brady. In his first game back, he had 9 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. In 11 games with the Patriots in 2010, he had 48 catches for 706 yards. He also scored five touchdowns.

In 2011, Branch had 702 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Patriots reached Super Bowl XLVI. They lost to the New York Giants 21–17. Branch became a free agent after this season. He signed with the Patriots again in March 2012. He was released and re-signed a few times that year.

Short Time with the Colts

On January 8, 2014, Branch signed with the Indianapolis Colts. However, he was released by the team shortly after.

Amazing NFL Stats

Here are some of Deion Branch's career statistics in the NFL:

In 2016, ESPN ranked Branch as one of the top 50 greatest Super Bowl players ever. He has also been honored at Super Bowl events for being a Super Bowl MVP.

Life Off the Field

Deion Branch is married to Shola. They met while both attending the University of Louisville. They got married in 2007. They have four children: two daughters, D’ahni and Nylah, and twin boys, Deiondre and Deiontey.

Deiondre was born with a health challenge that affects his ability to walk or talk. After Deiondre was born in 2004, Branch started the Deion Branch Foundation. This foundation helps children in need.

Coaching Experience

Deion Branch was the director of player development at Louisville. In 2022, he served as the interim head coach for one game. This was for Louisville's appearance in the 2022 Fenway Bowl.