Deion Branch facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Deion Branch

Branch in 2011
Louisville Cardinals
Position:	Wide receivers coach
Personal information
Born:	(1979-07-18) July 18, 1979 (age 46) 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

Deion Branch, born on July 18, 1979, is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Today, he coaches wide receivers at the University of Louisville. The New England Patriots picked him in the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at Louisville.

Branch was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005. He tied a Super Bowl record with 11 catches for 133 yards in that game. He was the first wide receiver to win this award since 1989. Branch played for the Seattle Seahawks from 2006 to 2010. He then returned to the Patriots for two more seasons. During his second time with the Patriots, he played in Super Bowl XLVI.

Early Life and High School

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. He was a top athlete in both sports.

College Football Journey

Playing at Junior College

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

Success at Louisville

Branch then played two seasons for the University of Louisville, starting in 2000. As a junior, he led the team with 71 catches for 1,016 yards. He also scored nine touchdowns. The Cardinals finished the 2000 season with a 9–3 record. They won the Conference USA Football Championship. Branch had 10 catches for 170 yards in the 2000 Liberty Bowl. He was named an All-Conference USA first-team player. He was also voted the Cardinals' Most Valuable Player.

In 2001, as a senior, Branch again led the team in catches with 72. He gained 1,188 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He also returned a punt for a 61-yard touchdown. The Cardinals finished the 2001 season with an 11–2 record. They won the Conference USA Football Championship again. Branch had a 34-yard touchdown catch in their 28–10 win in the 2001 Liberty Bowl. He was again named a first-team All-Conference USA player.

Professional Football Career

First Time with the New England Patriots

The New England Patriots picked Branch in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. In his first season in 2002, he played 13 games and started 7. He caught 43 passes for 489 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs and punts. In one game, he caught 13 passes, which was a lot for a rookie.

In 2003, Branch started 11 of 15 games. He led the team with 57 catches for 803 yards. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Patriots won against the Carolina Panthers. Branch caught 10 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. His catch helped set up the game-winning field goal.

Branch started the 2004 season strong but got injured. He returned later in the season. He finished with 35 catches for 454 yards and four touchdowns. In the AFC Championship game, he had a 60-yard touchdown catch. Two weeks later, in Super Bowl XXXIX, Branch tied a Super Bowl record. He had 11 catches for 133 yards. He was named Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles, and Branch earned his second Super Bowl ring.

In 2005, Branch played in all 16 games. He had his best season with 78 catches for 998 yards and five touchdowns.

Moving to the Seattle Seahawks

Branch during his time with the Seattle Seahawks

After the 2005 season, Branch wanted a new contract. He did not report to the Patriots' training camp. On September 11, 2006, the Patriots traded Branch to the Seattle Seahawks. In Seattle, he signed a new contract.

Branch played 14 games for the Seahawks in 2006. He had 53 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns. In 2007, he started well but got a foot injury. He returned later and finished with 49 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2008, Branch missed many games due to injury. He still caught 30 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. In 2009, he played in 14 games, catching 45 passes for 437 yards. He started the 2010 season with the Seahawks, catching 13 passes in four games.

Second Time with the New England Patriots

Branch in 2011

On October 11, 2010, Branch was traded back to the Patriots. This move brought him back with his former quarterback, Tom Brady. In his first game back, Branch had 9 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. On Thanksgiving, he had a career-long 79-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 59-yard touchdown pass in another game.

In 11 games with the Patriots in 2010, Branch had 48 catches for 706 yards and five touchdowns. In 2011, he had five touchdown catches and 702 receiving yards. The Patriots reached Super Bowl XLVI but lost to the New York Giants. Branch became a free agent but re-signed with the Patriots. He was released and re-signed a few times in 2012 due to team needs.

Short Time with the Indianapolis Colts

On January 8, 2014, Branch signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He joined them for their playoff games that season.

NFL Career Statistics

In January 2016, ESPN ranked Branch among the 50 greatest Super Bowl players ever. On February 7, 2016, Branch appeared at Levi's Stadium before Super Bowl 50. He was there as the NFL honored Super Bowl MVPs.

Personal Life

Deion Branch and his wife Shola met at 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. Branch started the Deion Branch Foundation to help children.

Coaching Career

Branch was the director of player development at Louisville. When the head coach left, Branch became the interim head coach. He coached Louisville in the 2022 Fenway Bowl. This was his only game as a head coach.