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Brandon Jacobs
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Brandon Christopher Jacobs (born July 6, 1982) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the New York Giants. He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and Southern Illinois Salukis. He was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL draft, and won two Super Bowl rings with the team, both against the New England Patriots. He also played one season for the San Francisco 49ers before returning to New York for his final season.
Key Information
Jacobs was taller and heavier than the average NFL running back, standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and weighing 264 pounds (120 kg). He also ran the 100 meters in 10.82 seconds and the 200 meters in 21.59 seconds. He won two Super Bowls in seven seasons with the New York Giants, and holds the franchise record for most career rushing touchdowns, as well as ranking fourth-most in career rushing yards.[1]
Early life
[edit]Brandon Jacobs grew up in Napoleonville, Louisiana. He was raised by his mother and her sisters. His aunt and uncle later became his legal guardians. He never had a relationship with his father. Brandon played basketball and football at Assumption High School. In his senior year, he received accolades such as USA Today All-America, Orlando Sentinel All-Southern, Prep Star All-Region and Louisiana Class 4A Most Valuable Offensive Player. He ran for more than 3,000 yards and scored 38 touchdowns in that senior campaign.[citation needed]
College career
[edit]Coffeyville Community College
[edit]Jacobs's college career started at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas, under the direction of head coach Jeff Leiker and running backs coach Dickie Rolls.[2] Coffeyville is a member school of the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference.[3] In 2001, his freshman year at Coffeyville, he ran for 1,349 yards and 17 touchdowns and gained Kansas Jayhawk Conference All-Conference honorable mention. He was also named the team MVP for CCC. In his sophomore season for the Red Ravens he racked up 1,896 yards and 20 touchdowns on 267 carries for a 7.1 yard-per-carry average. In light of these efforts Jacobs was named a JUCO All-American[4] and to the KJCCC All-Conference First-team.[5] He once again garnered the Team MVP trophy and was also named the recipient of the Reb Russell Memorial Football Scholarship Award.[6] The statistic of 1,896 yards rushing ranks second all-time on the Ravens individual season rushing yardage record.[7]
Auburn
[edit]Jacobs continued his college career at Auburn University, along with first-round draft picks Carnell Williams, Ronnie Brown, and Jason Campbell. Jacobs was the third-string running back behind Williams and Brown. Jacobs gained 446 yards on 72 carries and 2 touchdowns in 2003 for the Tigers.
Southern Illinois
[edit]After the completion of the 2003 college football season, Jacobs transferred to then Division I-AA Southern Illinois.[8] Jacobs' one year at Southern Illinois was another solid one. He led the team with 150 carries for 992 yards (6.6 avg) and 19 touchdowns, one less than the school's all-time leader, Muhammad Abdulqaadir, who, like Jacobs, also played at Coffeyville Community College. Jacobs was an All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and All-Gateway Conference first-team choice and was also named Gateway Conference Newcomer of the Year. He led the conference and ranked tenth in the nation in scoring, averaging 9.5 points per game. Jacobs had eight receptions for 83 yards (10.4 avg), returned six kickoffs for 140 yards (23.3 avg) and had five 100-yard rushing games including the playoffs.[9]
Professional career
[edit]2005 NFL draft
[edit]Jacobs was graded the 11th best running back available in the 2005 NFL draft by Sports Illustrated.[10] He was projected an early fourth round pick,[11] and was indeed selected early in the fourth round (110th overall).[12]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+1⁄4 in (1.94 m) |
269 lb (122 kg) |
33+5⁄8 in (0.85 m) |
10+5⁄8 in (0.27 m) |
4.48 s | 1.54 s | 2.72 s | 4.49 s | 7.54 s | 37 in (0.94 m) |
9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) |
24 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine[13] | ||||||||||||
New York Giants
[edit]
As a rookie, Jacobs did not receive much playing time behind incumbent starter Tiki Barber, carrying the ball only 38 times for 99 yards, playing almost exclusively in short yardage situations. He did, however, score 7 touchdowns, second on the team.
Going into the 2006 season, Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, powerful running back.[14] In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He added 11 receptions for 149 yards.
With Barber's retirement, Jacobs took over the starting running back spot for the Giants in the 2007 season. He injured his knee in the first game of the season against the Dallas Cowboys, but returned four weeks later against the New York Jets to rush for 100 yards and a touchdown. Jacobs would miss two more games later in the season with a hamstring injury, but finish the regular season with rushing totals of 1,009 yards and four touchdowns on 201 carries. He also added 23 receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Jacobs scored the winning touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Divisional Playoffs. Jacobs started every game in the playoffs as the Giants won Super Bowl XLII.
Jacobs underwent wrist surgery during the 2008 offseason.[15] He returned to play all of the preseason, but missed two games in the regular season due to recurring difficulty with his knee. He finished the 2008 regular season with 219 carries for 1089 yards and 15 touchdowns, similar yardage to 2007, but many more touchdowns. In 2008, he and Derrick Ward became the fifth pair of teammates to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.
He was the "Earth" in the running back corps of the Giants nicknamed "Earth, Wind, & Fire" with Derrick Ward (Wind) and Ahmad Bradshaw (Fire). He is also nicknamed Juggernaut because of his ability to break multiple tackles and the difficulty in bringing him down due to his impressive size for a running back.[16][failed verification][17][failed verification] Similarly, he has been dubbed "The Creator"[18] by the satirical sports website Ramon Hernandez Put Down The Gun, and is considered complementary to Justin Tuck, who is known as "The Destroyer."[19]
On February 13, 2009, the Giants placed the Franchise Tag on Jacobs. He signed a four-year, $25 million contract with the Giants a week later and had most of the carries that season.
On December 31, 2009, Jacobs was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
On September 19, 2010, Jacobs threw his helmet into the stands at Lucas Oil Stadium and was fined $10,000.
On November 24, 2010, Jacobs was announced back as the number one running back for the Giants against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[20]
At the end of the 2011 season, Jacobs and the Giants appeared in Super Bowl XLVI. He had 9 carries for 37 yards as the Giants defeated the New England Patriots by a score of 21–17.[21]
The Giants released Jacobs on March 9, 2012.[22]
San Francisco 49ers
[edit]Jacobs signed with the San Francisco 49ers on March 28, 2012.[23] He missed the first two months of the season after suffering a knee injury during training camp, and saw limited playing time once he returned. He was active for two games and had five carries for seven yards as essentially the third- or fourth-string tailback.[24]
The 49ers suspended him for the final three games of the same season following a series of posts by Jacobs on social media sites addressing his lack of playing time, including one which said he was "on this team rotting away."[25] Jacobs was waived by the 49ers on December 31, 2012.[26]
New York Giants (second stint)
[edit]Jacobs signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on September 10, 2013. In which he played in 7 games, rushing for 238 yards on 58 carries for a 4.1 yard average and 4 touchdowns.[27] On January 2, 2014, Jacobs announced his retirement after nine seasons.[28]
On May 27, 2021, Jacobs announced on Twitter that he would be attempting a return to the NFL as a defensive end, stating "Just give me one chance thats all!!"[29]
NFL career statistics
[edit]Source: [1]
Regular season
[edit]| General | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2005 | NYG | 16 | 38 | 99 | 2.6 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2006 | NYG | 15 | 96 | 423 | 4.4 | 16 | 9 | 11 | 149 | 13.5 | 43 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2007 | NYG | 11 | 202 | 1,009 | 5.0 | 43T | 4 | 23 | 174 | 7.6 | 34 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 2008 | NYG | 13 | 219 | 1,089 | 5.0 | 44 | 15 | 6 | 36 | 6.0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2009 | NYG | 15 | 224 | 835 | 3.7 | 31 | 5 | 18 | 184 | 10.2 | 74T | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | NYG | 16 | 147 | 823 | 5.6 | 73 | 9 | 7 | 59 | 8.4 | 22 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 | NYG | 14 | 152 | 571 | 3.8 | 28 | 7 | 15 | 128 | 8.5 | 40T | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | SF | 2 | 5 | 7 | 1.4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYG | 7 | 58 | 238 | 4.1 | 37 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Career | 109 | 1,141 | 5,094 | 4.5 | 73 | 60 | 80 | 730 | 9.1 | 74 | 4 | 19 | 11 | |
Postseason
[edit]| General | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
| 2005 | NYG | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | NYG | 1 | 2 | 8 | 4.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | NYG | 4 | 62 | 197 | 3.2 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 29 | 7.3 | 11 | 1 |
| 2008 | NYG | 1 | 19 | 92 | 4.8 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NYG | 4 | 37 | 164 | 4.4 | 34 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 4.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Career | 11 | 120 | 461 | 3.8 | 34 | 4 | 8 | 45 | 5.6 | 11 | 1 | |
Personal life
[edit]In June 2011, Jacobs acted in the series finale episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.[30] On October 19, 2012, Jacobs appeared, with Pro NRG founder Tania Patruno, to pitch the fledgling company's protein supplement/energy drink and hopefully score the venture some investment capital on episode #406 of ABC's Shark Tank.[31] Jacobs also appeared on an episode of Impact Wrestling which aired on February 16, 2012. Jacobs put wrestler Bully Ray through a table on the episode.[32]
Jacobs resides in Georgia.[33]
References
[edit]- ^ "New York Giants Career Rushing Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ Coffeyville Community College. "Dickie Rolls". Coffeyville.edu. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "KJCCC Member Colleges". Kjccc.org. August 21, 2009. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Coffeyville Community College. "Wall of Honor". Coffeyville.edu. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "2002 All-Jayhawk Conference Football Selections". Kjccc.org. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Coffeyville Community College. "Records". Coffeyville.edu. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ Coffeyville Community College. "Football Individual Records". Coffeyville.edu. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Football Statistics". Auburn.rivals.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2003. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Draft Pick Brandon Jacobs". Giants.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "2005 NFL Draft - Breakdown by Position - HB", Sports Illustrated, April 2009, archived from the original on April 20, 2005
- ^ "Brandon Jacobs Draft Profile", Sports Illustrated, April 2005, archived from the original on November 24, 2005
- ^ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Brandon Jacobs Draft Profile", DraftScout.com
- ^ Altavilla, J Jacobs' Height Requires Change In Style. (July 31, 2006). The Hartford Courant, p. Sports.
- ^ Vacchiano, Ralph. Brandon Jacobs at MSG with arm injury Archived April 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, New York Daily News, April 18, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2008.
- ^ Nalbone, John (November 10, 2008). "Brandon Jacobs powers Giants past Eagles, 36-31". New Jersey On-Line LLC. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ "Jacobs confident, but wants one more day before deciding status". Associated Press, National Football League. 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
- ^ "Ten Reasons Why Brandon Jacobs is The Creator". Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
- ^ "A Special Thanksgiving Message from Justin Tuck". Archived from the original on August 25, 2009. Retrieved February 15, 2009.
- ^ "Brandon Jacobs back at Giants No. 1 RB". WSJ.com. Associated Press. November 24, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ^ "Super Bowl XLVI - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 5th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
- ^ "Giants to release veteran RB Jacobs". NFL. March 9, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ "Source: Ex-Giants RB Jacobs to sign with 49ers". ESPN. March 28, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ Kawakami, Tim (December 10, 2012). "Kawakami: Brandon Jacobs finds out what happens when you challenge Jim Harbaugh". The Mercury News. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ Gola, Hank (December 10, 2012). "Brandon Jacobs suspended for rest of regular season after saying he's 'rotting away' with San Francisco 49ers". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "49ers let loose outspoken running back Jacobs". ESPN.com. December 31, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ "Brandon Jacobs 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ Vacchiano, Ralph (January 2, 2014). "NY Giants running back Brandon Jacobs announces retirement". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
- ^ Levine, Ben (May 27, 2021). "Former Giants RB Brandon Jacobs Eyeing Comeback As DE". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Haugh, David (February 2, 2012). "Though no actor, Super Bowl's Jacobs' stage". In the Wake of the News. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ "Shark Tank Full Episodes | Watch Season 9 Online - ABC.com". ABC. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
- ^ Wassink, Zac (February 24, 2012). "NYG Fan: Brandon Jacobs Gets into the Ring on TNA Impact Wrestling". Yahoo Sports. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014.
- ^ Branch, John (January 6, 2008). "Jacobs Is a Bull of a Runner and a Teddy Bear of a Father". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
"It was worth every yard and every penny," Brandon Jacobs said Thursday as he sat at his kitchen table in Wayne, N.J.
External links
[edit]Brandon Jacobs
View on GrokipediaEarly 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 |
