Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs (born July 6, 1982) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) from 2005 to 2013.[1] Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 265 pounds, Jacobs was renowned for his bruising, power-running style that made him a key component of the New York Giants' backfield during their successful era.[2] Drafted by the Giants in the fourth round (110th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft out of Southern Illinois University, he emerged as a vital player alongside Tiki Barber and later Ahmad Bradshaw, helping the team secure two Super Bowl championships.[1][3] Over his career, Jacobs appeared in 109 games, primarily with the Giants (2005–2011 and 2013), and briefly with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, amassing 5,094 rushing yards on 1,141 carries with an average of 4.5 yards per attempt and 60 rushing touchdowns—figures that rank him first in Giants franchise history for rushing touchdowns and fifth in rushing yards.[2] His most notable contributions came in the playoffs, including Super Bowl XLII where he rushed for 42 yards on 14 carries, including a crucial two-yard gain on fourth-and-one that sustained the Giants' game-winning drive against the New England Patriots, and Super Bowl XLVI where he added 37 yards on nine carries in another victory over the Patriots.[4] Jacobs achieved two 1,000-yard rushing seasons (2007 and 2008), showcasing his durability despite frequent injury challenges, and retired following the 2013 season after returning to the Giants for a final stint in which he recorded 238 yards and four touchdowns.[3][5]Early life
Upbringing and family
Brandon Jacobs was born on July 6, 1982, in Houma, Louisiana.[2] He was raised primarily in the small working-class town of Napoleonville, Louisiana—a community of about 700 residents located roughly 60 miles southwest of New Orleans—where he navigated a challenging early environment marked by limited resources and personal struggles.[6] As the son of single mother Janice Jacobs, he grew up without a relationship with his father, relying on his mother's guidance amid his willful and explosive temperament. From a young age, Jacobs frequently engaged in fights and faced academic difficulties, leading to placement in special education classes where expectations for his future were low. His upbringing was further shaped by extended family dynamics, including support from his mother's sisters, which emphasized discipline and perseverance.[6][7] At around age 10 or 11, Jacobs moved in with his aunt Dianne Cheavious—affectionately known as Auntie Teesie—and uncle Willie Cheavious, along with his cousins, still in Napoleonville. This relocation provided a stricter household structure that curbed his "loutish behavior" and helped shield him from negative influences, fostering the toughness that defined his character. The unwavering support from his immediate and extended family during these formative years played a pivotal role in building his resilience.[6]High school career
Brandon Jacobs attended Assumption High School in Napoleonville, Louisiana, where he played football and basketball, emerging as a dominant athlete despite early academic challenges. Initially positioned as a fullback, he transitioned to tailback during his junior year in 1999, helping lead the team to seven consecutive wins and showcasing his physical prowess at 6 feet 4 inches and over 240 pounds.[6][8] In his senior year of 2000, Jacobs exploded as the starting running back, carrying the ball 35 to 40 times per game and leading Assumption to a 13-0 regular season record before a loss in the state semifinals to John Curtis Christian School. He rushed for 3,025 yards on an average of 8.6 yards per carry, scoring 38 touchdowns, which led the state of Louisiana in rushing and established school records. Additionally, he returned eight kickoffs for touchdowns, contributing to his reputation as a versatile threat.[6][9][10][11] Jacobs' performance earned him prestigious honors, including USA Today All-American, Orlando Sentinel All-American, and Louisiana All-State selections, drawing initial interest from major programs like the University of Georgia, which sent him a recruitment letter. However, academic eligibility issues—stemming from placement in special education classes and lacking required courses in English, math, and science—prevented him from qualifying for Division I scholarships directly out of high school. With support from his family and coaches, Auburn University recommended he attend Coffeyville Community College in Kansas to obtain his diploma and improve his academics, paving the way for his junior college path.[10][6][8]College career
Coffeyville Community College
After graduating from Assumption High School, where his physical build and running style had already shown promise for higher-level competition, Brandon Jacobs enrolled at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas in 2001.[10] In his freshman season, Jacobs emerged as a key contributor to the Red Ravens' offense, rushing for 1,349 yards while helping drive the team's ground attack in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.[10] His performance earned him All-Conference honorable mention recognition and team MVP honors, highlighting his rapid adjustment to the junior college level's increased physicality and speed.[10][12] Jacobs' sophomore year in 2002 marked a significant breakout, as he amassed 1,896 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, solidifying his role as the team's primary power back and powering Coffeyville to a No. 9 national ranking en route to a bowl appearance.[10][13] These efforts culminated in his selection as a JC Gridwire All-American, first-team All-Conference, and team MVP.[10] During his time at Coffeyville, Jacobs continued his physical maturation, reaching 6 feet 4 inches and 264 pounds, which enhanced his ability to handle the more competitive demands of junior college football and establish him as a bruising runner capable of breaking tackles.[2]Auburn University
Following his successful tenure at Coffeyville Community College, where he earned All-American honors and rushed for over 3,000 yards across two seasons, Brandon Jacobs transferred to Auburn University in early 2003 as a junior college recruit seeking to compete at the FBS level.[14] During the 2003 season, Jacobs served as the third-string running back behind Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown on a deep and talented Auburn backfield.[15] In 13 games, he recorded 72 rushing attempts for 446 yards, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, and scored 3 touchdowns, along with 1 reception for 34 yards.[16] His contributions were modest, primarily in situational roles, as Auburn finished the year undefeated in the regular season and reached the Music City Bowl.[17] Jacobs faced significant adjustment challenges at Auburn, including intense depth chart competition that limited his opportunities and a struggle to build rapport with coaches and teammates, leaving him feeling isolated within the program.[15] He expressed dissatisfaction with the team culture and the city of Auburn, and by late 2003, he considered switching positions to linebacker or defensive end to increase his involvement, ultimately deciding instead to transfer for greater playing time.[18][15]Southern Illinois University
After developing his skills at Coffeyville Community College and Auburn University, Jacobs transferred to Southern Illinois University in the spring of 2004 as a senior, seeking a larger role in a program that suited his physical style.[19][20] In his only season with the Salukis, Jacobs led the team with 150 carries for 992 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, powering Southern Illinois to a 10–2 overall record, an undefeated 7–0 mark in the Gateway Football Conference, and a berth in the Division I-AA playoffs.[21] His dominant performance earned him Gateway Football Conference Newcomer of the Year and second-team All-Conference honors, highlighting his emergence as a top FCS running back.[22] Jacobs' rare combination of size—at 6 feet 4 inches and 260 pounds—and speed, clocking a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, generated significant pre-draft attention from NFL scouts, positioning him as a unique power back prospect.[19][20] As a senior leader, he helped guide the team through a challenging schedule, and his preparation for the professional level culminated in an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game, where he was named offensive MVP for the West squad.[21][11]Professional career
2005 NFL Draft
Prior to the 2005 NFL Draft, Brandon Jacobs was evaluated as a fourth-round prospect, valued for his exceptional size at 6 feet 4 inches and 267 pounds, combined with his power-running style, despite coming from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at Southern Illinois University.[23][24] Scouts noted his ability to pound between the tackles, break arm tackles, and maintain balance, though he was critiqued for lacking elite initial quickness and occasionally running too upright due to his long frame.[24] His draft stock received a boost from a strong senior season at Southern Illinois, where he rushed for 992 yards and 19 touchdowns.[25] At the NFL Scouting Combine in February 2005, Jacobs impressed with his athleticism for his size, recording a 40-yard dash time of 4.56 seconds, a 37-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump, and 19 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.[26][23] These metrics highlighted his surprising speed and explosiveness, positioning him as a developmental power back with potential in short-yardage and goal-line situations, despite questions about his agility in open space.[24] The New York Giants selected Jacobs in the fourth round, 110th overall, during the 2005 NFL Draft held on April 23–24 in Chicago.[23][27] Shortly after, on July 26, 2005, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $1.84 million with the Giants, including a signing bonus.[28]New York Giants (first stint)
Jacobs joined the New York Giants as a fourth-round draft pick in 2005 and quickly established himself as a power running back in a backfield led by Tiki Barber.[2] In his rookie season, he saw limited action with 38 rushing attempts for 99 yards and seven touchdowns, primarily on short-yardage and goal-line situations, while also contributing 40 receiving yards on eight catches for a total of 139 yards from scrimmage.[2] In 2006, Jacobs improved with 423 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 96 carries over 15 games.[2] Jacobs broke out in the 2007 season, rushing for 1,009 yards and four touchdowns on 202 carries, helping the Giants reach Super Bowl XLII against the undefeated New England Patriots.[2] Jacobs served as an emotional leader for the team during their improbable playoff run.[29] In the Super Bowl, he recorded 14 carries for 42 yards, including a crucial one-yard gain on fourth-and-one in the final two minutes that sustained the game-winning drive, contributing to the Giants' 17-14 upset victory.[29] The following year, 2008, marked his most productive season with 1,089 rushing yards and a career-high 15 touchdowns on 219 carries, earning him a Pro Bowl selection and solidifying his role as a bruising complement to Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw in the Giants' "Earth, Wind & Fire" backfield, where Jacobs embodied "Earth" for his physical, ground-pounding style.[2][30] From 2009 to 2011, Jacobs shared carries more evenly in a committee approach, averaging around 150-220 attempts per season while adapting to injuries and younger backs like Bradshaw.[2] He rushed for 835 yards and five touchdowns in 2009, 823 yards and nine scores in 2010 despite missing time due to injury, and 571 yards with seven touchdowns in 2011.[2] In Super Bowl XLVI, Jacobs added 37 yards on nine carries as the Giants defeated the Patriots 21-17 to claim their second title in five years.[31] His tenure fostered strong team chemistry, with Jacobs often credited as a vocal leader who boosted morale during tough stretches.[29] Following the 2008 season, he signed a four-year, $25 million contract extension, reflecting his value to the franchise before a 2011 restructure to ease salary cap pressures.[32][33] Over his first stint, Jacobs amassed 4,849 rushing yards and 56 touchdowns on 1,078 carries, earning the nickname "The Incredible Hulk" for his imposing 6'4", 265-pound frame and punishing runs.[2][34]San Francisco 49ers
After a successful tenure with the New York Giants that included two Super Bowl victories, Brandon Jacobs signed a one-year contract worth $1.575 million with the San Francisco 49ers on March 28, 2012, to bolster their backfield depth behind starter Frank Gore.[35][36] The 49ers, under head coach Jim Harbaugh, sought Jacobs' power-running style to complement their run-heavy West Coast offense, which emphasized precise timing, short passes, and physical ground attacks.[37] However, Jacobs' time in San Francisco was marred by injuries and limited opportunities. He suffered a left knee injury during the preseason, which sidelined him for several weeks and restricted his integration into the team's depth chart, where younger backs like Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James also vied for carries.[38] Over the course of the season, Jacobs appeared in just two games, recording only five carries for seven yards, as the 49ers prioritized Gore's workload and the offense's established rhythm.[2][39] His adjustment to Harbaugh's system proved challenging, as the precise, zone-blocking schemes differed from the Giants' more straightforward power runs, leading to frustration over his diminished role.[40] Jacobs' tenure ended amid controversy when, in early December 2012, he vented publicly on social media about his lack of playing time, posting messages that included complaints of "rotting away" on the bench and criticisms of the team's handling of him.[41][42] The 49ers suspended him for the final three games of the regular season on December 10, citing conduct detrimental to the team, a move that highlighted tensions between Jacobs' outspoken personality and the disciplined culture under Harbaugh.[43][44] He was released on December 31, 2012, effectively concluding his brief and unproductive stint with the franchise.[45]New York Giants (second stint)
After being released by the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the offseason, Brandon Jacobs signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on September 10, 2013, worth $840,000, to address depth issues in the running back position following injuries to David Wilson and the suspension of Andre Brown.[46][36][5] At age 31, Jacobs returned as a familiar veteran presence in the Giants' backfield, providing power running and leadership to a young group that included Peyton Hillis and Michael Cox.[47][48] In seven games during the 2013 season, Jacobs appeared in a rotational role, starting one game against the Chicago Bears on October 10, where he rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Overall, he recorded 58 rushing attempts for 238 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, with notable performances including a one-yard touchdown plunge against the Denver Broncos in Week 2 and 75 yards on nine carries in a Thanksgiving Day win over the Dallas Cowboys.[49][50] His contributions helped stabilize the Giants' ground game amid early-season struggles, though he shared carries with younger backs as the team rotated options to manage workloads.[51] Jacobs faced significant challenges from his age and recurring injuries, including a hamstring strain in October that sidelined him for several weeks and ongoing knee issues stemming from osteoarthritis, which ultimately led to his placement on injured reserve on December 3 after a cartilage graft surgery.[52][53] These setbacks limited his snaps and highlighted the physical toll of his bruising running style, as he competed for touches in a backfield increasingly reliant on emerging talent while dealing with reduced explosiveness compared to his prime years.[54][55] As a fan favorite for his role in the Giants' Super Bowl victories in 2008 and 2012, Jacobs received an emotional sendoff following his injury-shortened season, announcing his retirement on January 2, 2014, via Twitter, where he reflected on his nine-year NFL career and expressed gratitude for the support from teammates, fans, and the organization.[3][56] In post-retirement statements, he emphasized his legacy as the franchise's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 60, underscoring his impact as a hard-nosed runner who embodied the team's grit during its most successful era.[57][58]Retirement and comeback attempt
Following a disappointing and injury-riddled 2013 season during his second stint with the New York Giants, where he appeared in only seven games and was placed on injured reserve due to knee issues, Brandon Jacobs announced his retirement from the NFL on January 2, 2014.[3] In a Twitter post, the 31-year-old running back reflected on his nine-year professional career, stating, "After 9 years in this whirlwind business they call the NFL, I am proud to announce that I am hanging up my cleats. I've had an amazing run and I appreciate all the players, coaches, and fans who have been a part of my journey." Jacobs expressed gratitude for the support throughout his tenure, which included two Super Bowl victories with the Giants in 2008 and 2012, highlighting his sense of accomplishment despite the physical demands that contributed to his exit.[59] In the years following his retirement, Jacobs transitioned away from active playing while occasionally reflecting on the toll of his position as a power running back, noting the cumulative wear on his body after years of high-impact carries and blocking assignments. He has described the running back role as particularly grueling over time, emphasizing how it limited his longevity compared to other positions, though he took pride in sustaining a productive career across multiple teams. This perspective underscored his post-retirement focus on maintaining fitness without the rigors of NFL training camps.[60] On May 27, 2021, at age 38, Jacobs publicly expressed interest in an NFL comeback, this time as a defensive end rather than running back, citing inspiration from Tim Tebow's own position-switch return to the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jacobs, who stood 6-foot-4 and weighed around 265 pounds during his playing days, argued that his size, retained speed, and strength made the transition feasible, stating, "I am really serious about coming back as a defensive end. I can still run, I am strong and there's no way Tim Tebow is a better athlete than I am."[61] He motivated the switch by pointing to age-related physical changes that rendered the running back position unsustainable due to its demands on agility and durability, while believing his frame better aligned with the defensive end role's emphasis on power and pass-rushing.[62] Jacobs trained rigorously in Louisiana and reported interest from three NFL teams for potential training camp tryouts by late June 2021, but no contracts materialized, marking the attempt as unsuccessful. He later expressed some second thoughts amid the challenges of re-entering the league after an eight-year absence but affirmed his body's readiness at the time, weighing in at about 260 pounds.[63][64]Career statistics
Regular season
Brandon Jacobs appeared in 109 regular season games over nine NFL seasons, primarily with the New York Giants and briefly with the San Francisco 49ers. His rushing and receiving statistics by year are detailed below.[2]| Year | Team | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | NYG | 16 | 38 | 99 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | NYG | 15 | 96 | 423 | 9 | 11 | 149 |
| 2007 | NYG | 11 | 202 | 1,009 | 4 | 23 | 174 |
| 2008 | NYG | 13 | 219 | 1,089 | 15 | 6 | 36 |
| 2009 | NYG | 15 | 224 | 835 | 5 | 18 | 184 |
| 2010 | NYG | 16 | 147 | 823 | 9 | 7 | 59 |
| 2011 | NYG | 14 | 152 | 571 | 7 | 15 | 128 |
| 2012 | SFO | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYG | 7 | 58 | 238 | 4 | 2 | 13 |