Jamaal Branch facts for kids

Jamaal Branch (born January 30, 1981) is an American former professional football player. He was a running back for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL). He played for two seasons with the Saints. Before that, he played college football for the Colgate Raiders. The Saints signed him in 2006 as an undrafted free agent. This means he wasn't chosen in the main player draft.

Growing Up and High School

Jamaal Branch was born in Hartford, Connecticut. Soon after, his family moved to Mashpee, Massachusetts. He still lives there today.

Branch went to Falmouth High School. He graduated in 1999. At Falmouth, he was a great athlete. He earned four "letters" for playing football and track. He was also teammates with Willie Ford, another future NFL player from Mashpee. After high school, Branch also played football at New Hampton Preparatory School.

College Football Star

Branch played college football at Colgate University. He played from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2004. He took a break in 2002 for personal reasons.

In 2003, Branch was amazing. He led all of Division I football in rushing yards. He gained 168.8 yards per game. He also led in points per game with 12.5. He set new NCAA records that year. These records included 2,026 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns. He also had 338 rushes. He played 11 games where he ran for over 100 yards. He did this for 11 games in a row!

For his great performance, he received the 2003 Walter Payton Award. This award is given to the best player in Division I-AA football. Many people think it's like the Heisman Trophy for Division I-A players. Branch graduated from college in 2005. He was the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college.

Playing Pro Football

Before his first season in the NFL, Branch played in NFL Europe. He played for the Rhein Fire and the Cologne Centurions. This helped him get ready for playing in the NFL.

On December 29, 2006, the New Orleans Saints signed Branch to their team. Just two days later, he scored his first touchdown. It was in the Saints' game against the Carolina Panthers. He ran 7 yards into the end zone.

In the 2007 season, Branch broke his leg. This happened during the opening kickoff of a game against Philadelphia. He could not play for the rest of that season. The Saints released him from the team on May 2, 2008.

Life After Football

Today, Jamaal Branch works with young football players. He helps kids in the Pop Warner Youth Football program in his hometown of Mashpee.

He also works with a company called D-1 Athletes. There, he works with former Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans wide receiver, Isaac Byrd. They help talented high school football players. These are players who might play for big colleges. Branch teaches them how to run faster. He also helps running backs improve their skills.

Branch is from Mashpee, Massachusetts. He has both African-American and Native American Indian heritage. His mother is from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.