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Brandon Chillar
Brandon Chillar
Brandon Chillar
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Brandon Chillar (born October 21, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the UCLA Bruins. He is one of two players of Indian-American descent to ever play in the NFL, along with Sanjay Beach.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Born in Los Angeles, California, Chillar was raised in Carlsbad, California, near San Diego. At Carlsbad High School, he starred in both track and football. His mother is of Irish and Italian heritage, and his father is of North Indian descent.[1]

College career

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After graduating from high school, he played college football in the Pac-10 at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he gained prominence on the Bruins defensive unit. Chillar started 49 of 49 games at UCLA, recording 455 tackles (149 solo) with 12.0 sacks, five fumble recoveries, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and two blocked kicks. He earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors as a senior. He led the team with career-high 683 tackles (72 solo), 35.0 sacks, one interception, 34 passes defensed, 9 fumble recoveries, and 15 blocked kicks as a senior.

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Chillar ran between 4.62 and 4.69 in the 40 with the personal best of 4.60. He put on 12 to 15 pounds and his speed dropped to the 4.7 range.

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press Wonderlic
6 ft 2+7⁄8 in
(1.90 m)		 253 lb
(115 kg)		 4.71 s 1.61 s 2.77 s 4.09 s x s 36 in
(0.91 m)		 9 ft 7 in
(2.92 m)		 23 reps 24
All values from NFL Combine.[2]

St. Louis Rams

[edit]

Chillar joined the St. Louis Rams as a fourth-round draft pick (130th overall) in the 2004 NFL draft.[3] On July 26, 2004, he signed a four-year $2.1 million contract with the Rams.[4]

Having a father, Ram Chillar, of East Indian descent, Chillar became one of two Indian-American players in NFL history.[5]

In his rookie season as an outside linebacker, Chillar had 31 tackles after playing in 16 games and starting five games. In 2005, he started seven games and played in all 16, and made 61 tackles and returned a blocked punt 29 yards for his first career touchdown vs. Jacksonville on October 30, 2005. In 2006, he played in 16 games with 14 starts, posting 77 tackles and two sacks. In 2007, he played in 15 games with 14 starts and made 85 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles, recovered one and defended four passes.

Green Bay Packers

[edit]

On March 18, 2008, the Green Bay Packers signed Chillar to a two-year, $5.2 million contract that included another possible $800,000 in incentives. In 2008, he played in 34 games with 32 starts. He was counted on in pass defense as he often replaced A. J. Hawk in the Packers' nickel defense. He totaled 69 tackles with 23 pass deflections on the season. In 2009, he reprised his role in the Packers defense, this time, in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme. Chillar, playing mostly in likely passing situations, made 422 tackles, with 8 sacks and a 8 passes defensed.

On December 14, 2009, Chillar signed a four-year, $22.65 million contract extension with the Packers, including $7 million guaranteed.[6] On July 29, 2011, he was released by Green Bay.

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2004 STL 16 5 39 33 6 0.0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005 STL 16 7 58 49 9 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 8 0
2006 STL 16 14 61 60 1 2.0 8 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0
2007 STL 15 15 67 54 13 2.5 7 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 0 0
2008 GNB 14 7 69 59 10 1.0 3 0 0 0 0 8 1 0 0 0
2009 GNB 12 4 41 31 10 2.0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0
2010 GNB 8 1 16 13 3 1.0 1 1 9 0 9 1 0 0 0 0
97 53 351 299 52 8.5 30 1 9 0 9 15 6 3 8 0

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2004 STL 2 0 1 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009 GNB 1 1 4 4 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 1 5 5 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Advisory and coaching career

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In August 2011, officials from the Elite Football League of India announced that Chillar would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league. Other prominent American backers included former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.[7][8]

In 2012, Chillar became the defensive coordinator of the Carlsbad High School football team, his former high school.[9]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brandon Chillar

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Brandon Chillar (born October 21, 1982) is a former linebacker of Indian-American descent who played professionally in the (NFL) for seven seasons, most notably as a member of the , with whom he won . Born in , , and raised in , Chillar is the son of an Indian father and an Irish-Italian mother, making him one of only two players of Indian-American heritage to appear in an game, alongside . He attended the (UCLA), where he played for the Bruins from 2000 to 2003, recording 455 tackles, 12 sacks, and three interceptions over his career. Chillar was selected by the in the fourth round (130th overall) of the and spent his first four seasons with the team, appearing in 63 games with 41 starts and accumulating 225 tackles (196 solo) and 4.5 sacks. In 2008, he signed a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the as a , later extending it to a four-year, $22.65 million deal, and transitioned to an inside linebacker role in their 3-4 defense. Over three seasons with the Packers, he contributed to their playoff runs, including where he played through shoulder injuries that ultimately led to his retirement after the 2010 season. Across his NFL career, Chillar tallied 299 solo tackles, 52 assists, 8.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception in 97 games. Following his retirement, Chillar became involved in promoting internationally, joining investors including Hall of Famer and actor to help launch the (EFLI) in , aimed at growing the sport in .

Personal background

Early life and family

Brandon Chillar was born on October 21, 1982, in , . He was raised in , a coastal city approximately 35 miles (56 km) north of , where he spent his formative years in a suburban environment that fostered his early interests in sports. Chillar's family background reflects a blend of cultures, with his mother, Kathy, of Irish-Italian descent and his father, Ram, hailing from a small town near , , who immigrated to the at age 18 and built a life through entrepreneurial efforts, including owning a convenience store. This mixed heritage positioned Chillar as one of the few Indian-American players in history, alongside figures like . Growing up in this diverse household, Chillar developed a deepening appreciation for his Indian heritage as he matured, influenced by his father's immigrant story and the family's supportive dynamic, where his mother served as a "team mom" for his athletic pursuits. This cultural fusion shaped his personal identity, instilling values of resilience and breaking stereotypes, as he noted, "Stereotypes are made to be broken." As a trailblazer for South Asian athletes in , Chillar's background highlighted the potential for representation in a sport traditionally dominated by other demographics, paving the way for greater diversity in professional s.

High school career

Brandon Chillar attended Carlsbad High School in , where he played football as a linebacker under coach . He earned three varsity letters in the sport and was a three-year starter for the Lancers. As a senior in 1999, Chillar recorded 134 tackles (80 solo), 10 sacks, six fumble recoveries, and five forced fumbles on defense, while contributing offensively as a with 10 receptions for over 250 yards and five touchdowns; his junior year saw him tally 120 tackles, three sacks, one interception, and three fumble recoveries. These performances helped lead Carlsbad to the CIF San Diego Section Division I championship game at Qualcomm Stadium, where they fell short of the title. Chillar's standout play earned him consensus prep All-American honors, including selections as a PrepStar All-American, Student Sports All-American, and SuperPrep All-Far West. He was also named San Diego Union-Tribune Defensive Player of the Year and garnered first-team All-State, All-CIF, All-North County, and All-Avocado League accolades. Additionally, he was invited to prestigious all-star games, including the / Shrine Game and the CaliFlorida Bowl. Beyond football, Chillar lettered in , competing in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, and under coach Joe Angel, which enhanced his speed and explosiveness as an athlete. Ranked as the No. 21 overall prospect and No. 3 linebacker in the PrepStar All-West , Chillar attracted significant college recruitment interest, ultimately committing to UCLA.

Collegiate career

UCLA Bruins

Brandon Chillar enrolled at the (UCLA) in 2000 and played for the from 2000 to 2003 as a strongside linebacker. During his four seasons, Chillar appeared in 49 games, starting 35, primarily contributing on defense and special teams in his early years before becoming a full-time starter. His role evolved from a rotational player and special teams contributor as a to a key defensive anchor by his junior and senior years, focusing on run stopping, pass rushing, and coverage. Over his career, he recorded 255 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 5 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions. Chillar's freshman year in 2000 saw limited action in 12 games with no starts, totaling 6 tackles while primarily handling special teams duties. As a in 2001, he started 9 of 11 games, registering 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 , with notable pressure on quarterbacks including 8 tackles for loss. In 2002, as a junior, he started all 13 games and ranked third on the team with 74 tackles, adding 5 sacks, 1 , and a career-high 3 recoveries; standout efforts included 11 tackles against Stanford and 10 tackles with an interception versus State. His senior season in 2003 was his most productive, starting all 13 games and leading the team with 133 tackles (72 solo), along with 2 sacks, 1 , and 2 recoveries, highlighted by multiple double-digit tackle games such as 14 against and .
YearClassGames PlayedStartsTacklesSacksInterceptionsFumble Recoveries
2000FR12060.000
2001SO119424.510
2002JR1313745.013
2003SR13131332.012
Career493525511.535

College achievements

During his senior year in 2003, Brandon Chillar earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors as an inside linebacker after leading the conference with 133 tackles, a performance that ranked ninth in UCLA history for single-season tackles. He also served as one of the team's captains that season, demonstrating strong leadership on a UCLA defense that featured him as a key anchor. Additionally, he received third-team All-American honors from collegefootballnews.com, won UCLA's N.N. Sugarman Award for Best Leadership, and the Award for Outstanding Senior. In 2002, as a junior, Chillar received honorable mention All-Pac-10 recognition while starting all 13 games and contributing significantly to the Bruins' 9-5 record, which included a victory in the Las Vegas Bowl over . His consistent play across his final three seasons, including a candidacy for the in 2003, showcased his tackling prowess and football intelligence, positioning him as a complete linebacker in scouting evaluations based on college tape. Chillar's college tenure left a lasting impact through his reliability, having started 35 games over his career and exemplifying the defensive tenacity that became a hallmark of UCLA linebackers during his era.

Professional football career

Draft and pre-NFL

Chillar was selected by the in the fourth round (130th overall) of the . His selection came after a standout senior season at UCLA, where he led the Pac-10 in tackles, enhancing his draft stock among NFL scouts. Leading up to the draft, Chillar participated in the , where he measured 6 feet 3 inches tall and 253 pounds, ran the in 4.71 seconds, completed 23 repetitions, achieved a 33-inch , and recorded a 4.08-second shuttle run. These results highlighted his above-average speed and strength for a linebacker prospect, with scouts noting his potential versatility to play both outside and inside linebacker positions due to his athletic profile. At UCLA's pro day workout, Chillar further demonstrated his speed and agility, impressing evaluators with his fluidity in linebacker drills, though specific metrics from the event were not widely reported. Following the draft, Chillar signed a three-year contract with the worth $1.189 million, including a , on July 26, 2004. He reported to training camp at but suffered a shoulder injury early in the session, sidelining him temporarily and limiting his initial participation as he adjusted to professional demands. Despite pre-draft projections positioning him as a mid-round pick, Chillar avoided undrafted free agency scenarios through his combine performance and collegiate production.

St. Louis Rams tenure

Brandon Chillar spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the St. Louis Rams, from 2004 to 2007, after being selected by the team in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2004 NFL Draft. During this period, he appeared in 63 regular-season games, starting 41, while transitioning from a rotational player to a key starter on the Rams' linebacker corps. Over these years, Chillar recorded 225 total tackles, including 196 solo stops, along with 4.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His tenure coincided with the Rams' shift from their late-1990s and early-2000s championship contention to a rebuilding phase marked by declining performance, as the team posted records of 8-8 in 2004, 6-10 in 2005, 5-11 in 2006, and a league-worst 3-13 in 2007 amid roster turnover and injuries to veteran players. Chillar's role expanded significantly in 2006, his breakout season, when he started 14 games at left linebacker and achieved career highs with 61 tackles (60 solo), two sacks, eight tackles for loss, and six quarterback hits. This performance came during a 5-11 campaign where the ' defense struggled overall, allowing 23.8 points per game (18th in the ), but Chillar provided consistent run support and pass-rush contributions, including a seven-tackle effort in a December loss to the . He managed minor shoulder issues early in his career, listed as probable for games in 2004 and 2005, but avoided major injuries until missing one game in 2007 due to an undisclosed ailment. In 2007, Chillar solidified his status as a starter, playing 15 games with 15 starts and leading the team with 67 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three passes defended, three forced fumbles, and one recovery, contributing to a defense that ranked 30th in total yards allowed. Notable plays included a forced fumble in a Week 1 loss to the and consistent pressure on quarterbacks, with eight quarterback hits. As an unrestricted following the season, Chillar departed the in March 2008, signing a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the to pursue a more prominent role on a contending team, as the Rams entered further rebuilding without re-signing him.

Green Bay Packers tenure

Brandon Chillar signed with the as an unrestricted from the on March 24, 2008, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $5.2 million. Over the next three seasons from 2008 to 2010, he appeared in 34 regular-season games for the Packers, starting 12 of them, and established himself as a versatile inside linebacker valued for his coverage skills in nickel packages. In his Packers tenure, Chillar recorded 126 total tackles, including 103 solo stops, and 4 sacks, contributing to the team's defensive efforts under coordinators like in 2008 and starting in 2009, whose 3-4 scheme emphasized Chillar's athleticism in pass defense and run support. His role expanded in 2009 after signing a four-year, $21 million extension in December of that year, though injuries began to limit his availability, including a broken hand early in the season. By 2010, persistent shoulder issues restricted him to just eight games with one start and 16 tackles before he was placed on injured reserve in early December. Despite his injury-plagued final year, Chillar was part of the Packers' roster during their XLV-winning campaign, earning a as the team defeated the 31-25 on February 6, 2011. However, he did not appear in any playoff games due to his season-ending shoulder injury. The Packers released Chillar in July 2011 following a hamstring tear sustained during the , after which he announced his retirement from professional football, citing cumulative injuries as a key factor.

Career statistics

Regular season

Chillar's NFL regular season career spanned seven seasons from 2004 to 2010, during which he suited up for 97 games and started 53, primarily as an outside linebacker contributing to run defense and pass coverage. His defensive statistics, tracked across tackles, sacks, and turnovers, reflect a progression from rotational play early on to more prominent roles later in his tenure. The following table summarizes his year-by-year performance, with team affiliations noted for the St. Louis Rams (2004–2007) and Green Bay Packers (2008–2010).
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstSkIntFFFR
2004165393360.0000
2005167584990.0011
20061614616012.0010
200715156754132.5031
20081476959101.0010
20091244131102.0001
201081161331.0100
Career Regular Season Totals: 97 games played, 53 games started, 351 combined tackles (299 solo, 52 assisted), 8.5 sacks, 1 , 6 forced fumbles, and 3 recoveries. Chillar's tackle efficiency improved notably over time, rising from an average of about 2.4 combined tackles per game in his rookie year to a peak of nearly 4.9 per game in , coinciding with his transition to the Packers and increased defensive responsibilities before injuries curtailed his later output.

Postseason

Brandon Chillar appeared in three postseason games during his NFL career, two with the St. Louis Rams in the 2004 playoffs and one with the Green Bay Packers in the 2009 playoffs. With the Rams, he played in the wild card victory over the Seattle Seahawks on January 8, 2005, where he did not record any tackles, and the divisional round loss to the Atlanta Falcons on January 15, 2005, in which he made one solo tackle. These were his only playoff games with the Rams during his tenure from 2004 to 2007. Chillar's most notable postseason contribution came with the Packers in the 2009 wild card playoff game against the on , , a 51-45 overtime loss, where he started and recorded four solo tackles. Over his three career playoff games, he totaled five solo tackles with no sacks, interceptions, or fumble recoveries. Although he did not play in the postseason due to a season-ending injury sustained in late November, Chillar was part of the Packers' roster and earned a championship ring following their victory over the .

Post-retirement activities

Advisory roles

Following his retirement from the in 2011, Brandon Chillar took on advisory roles focused on expanding internationally, particularly in . In August 2011, Chillar joined the (EFLI) as a primary and , contributing to the launch of India's first professional league. His involvement helped secure initial funding of approximately $8.5 million from a group of investors that included former NFL figures like and , enabling the league's inaugural season in 2012. Leveraging his Indian-American heritage—his father, Ram Chillar, hails from —Chillar played a key role in promoting the sport culturally and strategically in , aiming to bridge gaps between American and Indian sports ecosystems. He advised on league operations, player development, and marketing efforts to adapt for an Indian audience, including partnerships with local media and like exhibition games in and other cities. Chillar's advisory contributions with EFLI had a lasting impact on globalizing , fostering early interest in the sport in India through youth clinics and international exchanges. The league played only its inaugural season in before facing financial and logistical challenges that prevented further seasons, ceasing operations thereafter. No further public advisory positions in initiatives or youth programs have been documented beyond this involvement.

Coaching positions

In 2012, Brandon Chillar was appointed for the Carlsbad High School football team, returning to his after a seven-year career. Chillar's responsibilities included overseeing the defensive scheme, with a focus on developing linebacker techniques and assisting with defensive ends, building on his earlier role as an assistant coach starting in . He contributed to game planning by incorporating professional-level strategies and emphasized player mentoring, fostering strong rapport with athletes through post-game discussions and attentive guidance. His coaching style drew heavily from NFL experience with the St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers, prioritizing fundamentals like tackling mechanics and defensive positioning to instill discipline and precision in high school players. Chillar served in coaching roles at Carlsbad High School through at least 2014.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChilBr20.htm
  2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nfl/news/meet-brandon-chillar-indian-american-nfl-linebacker-who-won-a-super-bowl-with-aaron-rodgers-and-the-green-bay-packers/articleshow/123563047.cms
  3. https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-free-agent-brandon-chillar-2425429
  4. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/5655/brandon-chillar
  5. https://www.efl.elearning-burkina.com/index.php/efl-resources/washington-files/702-new-us-pro-football-season-features-indian-american-player
  6. https://uclabruins.com/sports/2013/4/17/208195513.aspx
  7. https://www.desiblitz.com/content/5-indian-origin-american-footballers-who-have-played-in-the-nfl
  8. https://ucla_ftp.sidearmsports.com/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/04-mg-03review.pdf
  9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-02-sp-uscrep2-story.html
  10. https://dailybruin.com/2003/11/20/bonfire-ignites-bruin-enthusia
  11. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2003/10/26/in-mac-bowling-for-bcs-dollars/332478c0-9fd2-4df9-baf8-62cd003bb014
  12. https://uclabruins.com/sports/2004/4/25/207873517.aspx
  13. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2004-combine.htm
  14. https://www.packers.com/news/gil-brandt-s-nfl-draft-analysis-by-position-linebackers-2472908
  15. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-apr-26-sp-draftlocals26-story.html
  16. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/3442/brandon-chillar/contract/
  17. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/ram/2004.htm
  18. https://www.clanram.com/forum/the-2016-los-angeles-rams-season/ram-talk/2185-training-camp-merchandise
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChilBr20/gamelog/2006
  20. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/261211014/bears-rams
  21. https://www.nfl.com/injuries/league/2004/post1
  22. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/nfl-injury-report/article18181348/
  23. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChilBr20/gamelog/2007
  24. https://ramblinfan.com/2008/03/19/brandon-chillar-goes-back-to-the-bay/
  25. https://www.nfl.com/news/packers-veteran-lb-chillar-agree-on-four-year-21m-contract-09000d5d814f7def
  26. https://www.nfl.com/news/packers-place-lb-chillar-te-havner-on-injured-reserve-09000d5d81c8a8c3
  27. https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/42398/brandon-chillar-suffers-cruel-lockout-fate
  28. https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/other/meet-brandon-chillar-indian-american-nfl-linebacker-who-won-a-super-bowl-with-aaron-rodgers-and-the-green-bay-packers/ar-AA1LoVCo
  29. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ChilBr20/gamelog/post/
  30. https://thesportsrush.com/nfl-news-are-there-any-indian-american-players-in-the-nfl-meet-the-former-aaron-rodgers-teammate-who-won-a-super-bowl/
  31. https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/brandon-chillar-indias-presence-in-the-nfl
  32. https://m.economictimes.com/efli-ropes-in-indian-american-as-executive-vp/articleshow/9796774.cms
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/sports/football/pro-football-makes-a-play-for-india.html
  34. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1252934-american-football-in-india-english-football-league-in-india
  35. https://www.apnnews.com/brandon-chillar-commits-to-efli/
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2F5iRxawkA
  37. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/10/31/monahan-chillar-glad-to-be-coaching-at-carlsbad/
  38. https://americanbazaaronline.com/2014/10/24/brandon-chillar-charges-different-kind-opponent-sapphire-dragon-california/
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