30 Facts About Earnest Graham

Earnest Graham played college football for the Florida Gators, and was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Earnest Graham served as the head football coach at North Fort Myers High School from 2014 until 2018.

In February 2019, Earnest Graham was announced as the new head coach and director of football operations at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Florida.

Earnest Graham attended Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida, Earnest Graham was a versatile athlete and lettered in high school football, baseball and basketball.

Earnest Graham especially excelled as a football running back, and set county and state records for career rushing yards and touchdowns.

Earnest Graham was named the state of Florida's "Mr Football" in 1997, and was named a Parade magazine high school All-American.

Earnest Graham was a sought-after college recruit and chose to accept an athletic scholarship from the home-state University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for the Gators teams under coach Steve Spurrier and coach Ron Zook from 1998 to 2002.

Early in his first college season in 1998, Earnest Graham suffered a foot injury that required surgery and was granted a medical redshirt.

Earnest Graham started seven games for the Gators as a redshirt freshman in 1999 and ran for 654 yards and five touchdowns, earning him a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team.

Earnest Graham was slowed by injuries in 2001, but still earned second-team All-SEC honors on the strength of 650 yards and nine touchdowns while again splitting time with Gillespie.

Earnest Graham finished third in school history in rushing touchdowns, fifth in rushing yardage and attempts, fifth in career 100-yard games, and ninth in all-purpose yards.

Earnest Graham entered the NFL by signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 5,2003.

Earnest Graham was signed to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns on November 19,2003.

Earnest Graham was signed to the practice squad of the Buccaneers on December 3,2003.

Earnest Graham was waived on September 5,2004, and signed to the practice squad on September 7,2004.

Earnest Graham was finally promoted to the active roster on October 27,2004.

Earnest Graham led the Bucs in rushing yards during the 2004,2005, and 2006 preseasons, leading former coach Jon Gruden to dub him "Mr August".

Earnest Graham started the 2007 season playing predominantly on special teams .

However, injuries to Bucs' running backs Carnell Williams, Mike Alstott, Michael Pittman allowed Earnest Graham to get significant playing at running back for the first time in his pro career.

When starter Cadillac Williams seriously injured his knee in the following week's game against the Carolina Panthers, Earnest Graham became the Bucs' starting running back for the remainder of the season.

Earnest Graham took advantage of his opportunity, rushing for 898 yards and ten touchdowns in the thirteen games he played.

Earnest Graham became only the second running back in Buccaneers history to register back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, which he did against the Atlanta Falcons and the Arizona Cardinals.

In nine of his ten starts, Earnest Graham either ran for 100 yards, scored a touchdown, averaged four yards a carry, or caught six or more passes.

Earnest Graham's rushing attempts were limited, as he served primarily as a blocker rather than a ball carrier.

Earnest Graham continued in his support role in 2010 as LeGarrette Blount became the Bucs' featured tailback, resulting in few carries for Earnest Graham and the team not resigning Williams after the season.

At the beginning of the 2011 season, Earnest Graham was again called on to be a fullback and special teams player.

Earnest Graham again started at running back the following week when the Bucs played the Chicago Bears in London.

Earnest Graham became a free agent following the 2011 season.

In December 2013, Earnest Graham was named the head football coach at North Fort Myers High School in North Fort Myers, Florida, near his home town of Cape Coral.

In February 2019, Earnest Graham was announced as the new head coach and director of football operations at Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers, Florida.