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Chris Maragos
Chris Maragos
Chris Maragos
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Chris Maragos (born January 6, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a safety and special teamer in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos before transferring to the Wisconsin Badgers. Maragos was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He also played for the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Maragos was a football and track star for three years at Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin. During his junior year in 2003, he started at wide receiver for Park's varsity team. After securing a playoff berth, Park was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by eventual state championship runner-up Arrowhead. During the off-season, Park's longtime head coach retired, leading to a changing of the guard in the football program.

Citing philosophical differences with the new regime, Maragos transferred to Racine's Horlick High School, which featured a pass-happy spread offense and emerging quarterback talent Justin Kammler. Maragos's first game as a Horlick Rebel was a road contest against his former school in August 2004. The rivalry game quickly became a lopsided affair, as Maragos dominated his former team with nine catches, 115 yards receiving, and a touchdown en route to a 29–6 victory.[1] According to Rebels coach George Machado, Maragos was heaped with verbal abuse during the game but "he maintained himself with class."[2] Maragos continued his torrid stretch in the first four games of his senior season, recording 27 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns.

During this time, Machado called Maragos "one of the best [football players] to play here" and "a gentleman, [and] a good student, [who] comes from a strong family. He is a very strong positive influence on this football team."[2] His statistics and the Rebels' offensive production dipped when Kammler was sidelined with an injury. Maragos made a statement with his talent, being named Horlick Player of the Year and first-team All-Racine County, All-Southeast Conference, and All-Region.[3]

As he weighed his collegiate options, Maragos eventually chose to attend Western Michigan, a school already home to future NFL Pro Bowl receiver Greg Jennings.

College career

[edit]

Maragos redshirted at Western Michigan in 2005, where he played as a wide receiver. Upon arrival at the school, the first player to introduce himself to Maragos was senior wide receiver Greg Jennings. He became somewhat of a mentor to Maragos, teaching him the intricacies of excelling as a collegiate wide receiver and giving him rides to church on Sundays.[4] Maragos was inspired by the star player's dedication to his craft, saying, "he would always be first in the meetings, front row, pen out, ready to learn, ready to do things."

After starting eight games at wide receiver for Western Michigan during the 2006 season, Maragos transferred to Wisconsin and sat out a year (due to NCAA transfer rules) before resuming play in 2008. During this time, he was converted to defense, where he became a standout free safety. In two years with the Badgers he recorded five interceptions and 94 tackles. Maragos had six passes defensed in his 2009 senior season, including one that helped end a comeback attempt by Northern Illinois and secure a 28-20 Badger victory. He was also Wisconsin's placekicking holder for extra points and field goals. During a 2009 road game against Ohio State, he scored a touchdown at that position on a fake field goal attempt.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

San Francisco 49ers

[edit]

Maragos was undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft. He signed with the San Francisco 49ers on April 26, 2010.

Maragos entered 2010 training camp for a 49ers club trying to build on a promising 2009 campaign. On August 22, he appeared in a nationally televised game against the Minnesota Vikings on NBC's Sunday Night Football. The program achieved the highest ratings for a Week Two preseason game in seven years, as it featured the heavily publicized return of Brett Favre for a 20th and final NFL season.[6]

Despite a training camp performance that garnered favorable reviews from local beat reporters, Maragos was released by the 49ers on September 3. On September 5, Maragos was added to the 49ers' practice squad, where he spent the first part of the 2010 season. On October 18, Maragos was added to the 49ers' active roster for a game in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers, though he did not play in the contest. The following week, on October 28, Maragos and the team flew across the world to London for a game against the Denver Broncos. Upon arrival, Maragos was informed that he had been released from the 49ers. The rare timing of the release gained widespread attention when ESPN reporter Adam Schefter tweeted about the oddity. Maragos was signed to the practice squad and able to remain with the team in London, instead of being forced to fly back home immediately.[7]

He again joined the San Francisco active roster on November 30, and made his NFL playing debut at Lambeau Field on December 5, facing the team from his home state, the Green Bay Packers. During that game he recorded his first NFL career tackle against the eventual Super Bowl XLV champions.

After the 2010 season, the 49ers fired head coach Mike Singletary and replaced him with Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh. The coaching shakeup led to an influx of new safeties, which resulted in greater competition for a roster spot. Consequently, Maragos saw his tenure with the 49ers come to end as he was released on September 3, 2011.[8]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

Maragos was signed to the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad on September 22, 2011. Seattle was rebuilding its roster, and head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider were impressed with Maragos's apparent work ethic and character. The Seahawks promoted him to the active roster on October 22. After a rough start to the 2011 season, Seattle finished the year with a 7–9 record. In 2012, the Seahawks became a legitimate Super Bowl contender, going 11-5 and winning a road playoff game against the Washington Redskins. During his stint with the Seahawks, Maragos was routinely awarded the team honor for "Special Teams Player of the Week."

On April 11, 2013, Maragos signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks for $1.32 million.[9] After reaching the agreement, Maragos expressed gratitude to the franchise. "It's phenomenal. Just to be in a position like this is humbling and I'm truly fortunate to be a part of such a great organization. To continue my career as a Seahawk, I couldn't be any happier." On September 6, 2013, Maragos accepted a pay cut to $855,000 to remain a Seahawk.

In 2013, the Seahawks secured the top playoff seed in the NFC with a conference-best 13–3 record. After a bye week, Seattle defeated the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. The Seahawks then beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game to advance to Super Bowl XLVIII. On February 2, 2014, Maragos and the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in the third-most lopsided Super Bowl in history. It was the most-watched program in the history of American television.

Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]

On March 12, 2014, Maragos signed a three-year, $4 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.[10] On December 6, 2015, his blocked punt was returned for a touchdown in Philadelphia's 35–28 upset win over the New England Patriots.[11]

On November 17, 2016, Maragos signed a three-year, $6 million contract extension with $2.45 million guaranteed through the 2019 season.[12]

On October 19, 2017, Maragos was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers.[13] It would be the final game of his career. Without Maragos, the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots 41–33, earning Maragos his second Super Bowl ring.[14] Maragos was placed on the physically unable to perform list to start the 2018 season while recovering from the knee injury.[15] On February 22, 2019, Maragos was released by the Eagles.[16] On July 16, 2019, Maragos announced his retirement from the NFL.[17] In February 2023, Maragos was awarded $43.5 million in damages after he filed a negligence suit against doctors responsible for treating his 2017 injury.[18]

Personal life

[edit]

Maragos is an American of Greek descent.[19]

Maragos' brother Troy is an Assistant Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, in Washington D.C.[20]

Maragos married Serah (née West) on April 9, 2010.[21] They are parents to three children, Micah (born 2011) Mason (born 2014) and Cambria.[22]

References

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

Chris Maragos

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Chris Maragos (born January 6, 1987) is a former who played professionally in the () for eight seasons, primarily as a special teams contributor for the and . Undrafted out of the University of Wisconsin, Maragos signed with the as an undrafted in 2010, appearing in three games, before joining the Seahawks in 2011 and becoming a key special teams player, contributing to their victory over the in 2014. He signed with the Eagles as a in March 2014, where he served as special teams captain and earned a second as part of their 2017 championship squad, though he was inactive for due to injury. Over his career, Maragos appeared in 99 regular season games and 5 postseason games, recording 93 total tackles, one forced fumble, and three starts at safety, retiring in July 2019 after a knee injury shortened his tenure with Philadelphia. Born and raised in , Maragos played for the Western Michigan Broncos in 2006 before transferring to the , where he appeared in 23 games as a and on special teams from 2008 to 2009. Despite his versatility—tallied 94 tackles and five interceptions at —he went undrafted in the before latching on with . In , Maragos quickly established himself as a core special teams ace, playing all 16 games in 2013 and helping the Seahawks' unit rank among the league's best during their dominant playoff run. With the Eagles, he solidified his reputation as a hard-hitting, instinctive player, leading Philadelphia's special teams in tackles multiple times and earning Pro Bowl alternate status following the 2016 season before his 2017 injury. Post-retirement, Maragos pursued legal action against medical providers over complications from a 2017 knee surgery that he claimed derailed his career, resulting in a $43.5 million damages award upheld in 2024. Since retiring, he has entered coaching, serving as head football coach at St. John Neumann High School in , as of 2024.

Early years

Early life

Chris Maragos was born on January 6, 1987, in . He is the son of Nick and Cindy Maragos, with his father being full-blooded Greek and his mother full-blooded Italian, giving him a strong Greek- and Italian-American heritage. Maragos grew up in a devout Christian household, where his parents served as faithful spiritual leaders, instilling in him the values of and discipline from an early age. His older brother, Troy Maragos, followed a path in ministry and serves as senior pastor at Racine Bible Church in , as of 2025. This faith-based upbringing profoundly shaped Maragos's character and worldview. From a young age, Maragos developed a passion for sports, beginning to play football in the second grade amid the football-centric culture of Racine. These early experiences, combined with his family's emphasis on perseverance and spirituality, laid the foundation for his athletic pursuits, leading him to organized football upon entering high school.

High school career

Maragos began his high school football career at Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin, where he played for the first three seasons and also participated in track and field. In 2004, he transferred to High School in Racine for his senior year after facing disciplinary challenges at Park, seeking greater exposure to college scouts at a larger program. There, he excelled as a , earning All-County, All-Conference, and All-Region honors during his dominant senior season. Maragos also competed in track and field, qualifying for the Wisconsin state championships in the 100-meter dash as a senior, where he ran a preliminary time of 11.22 seconds and placed third in the finals with 11.35 seconds.

College career

Western Michigan Broncos

Chris Maragos enrolled at in August 2005 as a walk-on , coming off a strong high school performance at William Horlick High School in . As a true freshman that season, Maragos was redshirted by the Broncos, preserving a year of eligibility while he focused on physical and skill development without appearing in any games. Entering 2006 as a redshirt freshman, he secured a role on the team and contributed on offense, appearing in all 13 games with eight starts at wide receiver. However, despite his on-field participation, Maragos faced limited long-term opportunities when coaches did not fulfill an earlier promise of a upon becoming a starter and major contributor as promptly as expected; although offered later, he had lost trust in the staff, prompting his transfer to the after the season.

After playing as a at Western Michigan, Maragos transferred to the University of Wisconsin following the 2006 season. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the 2007 season and became eligible to play in 2008. At Wisconsin, Maragos transitioned from to at the suggestion of head coach , where he competed as a . Over his two active seasons from 2008 to 2009, he appeared in all 26 games, recording 94 total tackles (63 solo), 5 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles while contributing to the Badgers' defensive efforts. In 2008, his junior year, Maragos tallied 45 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble across 13 games. As a senior in 2009, Maragos earned a and was named a team captain, starting one game and amassing 49 tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble in 13 appearances, helping anchor the secondary during a 10-3 season.

NFL career

San Francisco 49ers

After going undrafted in the , Chris Maragos signed with the as an undrafted on April 30, 2010. His standout performance as a at the of during his senior year, where he earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors, helped secure this initial professional opportunity. Maragos spent most of his rookie season on the 49ers' before being elevated to the active roster in late November 2010. He primarily contributed on special teams, appearing in three regular-season games. His NFL debut came on December 5, 2010, against the at , where he recorded his first career tackle. Maragos added another tackle in the following week's win over the on December 12 and appeared in the regular-season finale against the on January 2, 2011, without recording a statistic. Following the 2010 season, Maragos remained with the 49ers on the practice squad through the 2011 preseason but did not see additional regular-season action. He was waived by the team on September 3, 2011, as part of final roster cuts to reach the 53-player limit. In total, Maragos appeared in three games for the 49ers, registering two tackles on special teams.

Seattle Seahawks

After being released by the San Francisco 49ers on September 3, 2011, where he had entered the as an undrafted the previous year, Maragos joined the ' practice squad on September 22, 2011. He was promoted to the active roster on October 22, 2011, and appeared in 11 games that season primarily on special teams. Over his first three seasons with (2011–2013), Maragos established himself as a reliable special teams contributor, recording 12 combined tackles each year for a total of 36 tackles while playing in 43 regular-season games. In , as a , Maragos signed his from the Seahawks on April 11, worth $1.323 million for one year, securing his spot on the roster amid the team's push for a . His role expanded on special teams during Seattle's dominant 13–3 , where he helped the unit rank among the league's best in coverage and blocking efficiency. Maragos appeared in all 16 games that year, logging significant snaps on punt, kickoff, and units. Maragos played a supporting role in the Seahawks' postseason run, contributing on special teams during their NFC Championship victory over the and in against the on February 2, 2014, where Seattle won 43–8 to claim their first title. In the , he recorded one tackle and participated in key special teams plays that limited Denver's return game. His efforts were part of a special teams group that did not allow a return all season, underscoring his value in maintaining field position advantages. Following the Super Bowl, Maragos became an unrestricted and signed a three-year contract with the on March 12, 2014, ending his first stint with after three seasons.

Philadelphia Eagles

On March 12, 2014, Maragos signed a three-year contract with the worth approximately $4 million, following his successful tenure as a special teams contributor with the , where he had earned a . During his time with the Eagles, Maragos established himself as a key special teams player and was named a special teams captain in multiple seasons. Over his first four seasons with from 2014 to 2017, Maragos recorded 55 total tackles while primarily contributing on special teams. On November 17, 2016, he agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Eagles through the 2019 season. In October 2017, Maragos suffered a season-ending , requiring . He was placed on injured reserve on October 19, 2017, which sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs, including . Despite missing the game, as a member of the 2017 roster, Maragos earned a second when the Eagles defeated the 41–33 on February 4, 2018. Entering the 2018 season, Maragos was placed on the list due to ongoing recovery from the knee injury, limiting him to no that year. On August 28, 2018, Maragos restructured his contract with the Eagles, converting it into a one-year deal worth $1.75 million for that season while becoming a in 2019. The persistent effects of his knee injury prevented a full return to play, leading to his release by the team on February 22, 2019. Maragos announced his retirement from the on July 16, 2019, citing the chronic knee issues as the primary factor in ending his career.

Post-NFL career

After sustaining a knee injury during his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, Chris Maragos underwent multiple surgeries that failed to resolve his chronic issues. Maragos officially announced his retirement from the NFL on July 16, 2019, at age 32, citing the cumulative damage to his right knee as the primary reason he could no longer play professionally. He had spent the entire 2018 season on injured reserve following his second knee surgery and underwent a third procedure shortly before retiring. In January 2023, Maragos filed a lawsuit against the Eagles' team physicians, including Dr. and staff from Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, alleging in the and treatment of his 2017 . The suit claimed that the doctors overlooked a , misdiagnosed the extent of the damage, and prematurely cleared him for high-impact activities, exacerbating the and ending his career. On February 13, 2023, a jury awarded Maragos $43.5 million in damages, including $30 million for and $13.5 million for lost future earnings. The verdict was upheld on appeal by the in September 2024. The legal battle highlighted the challenges of Maragos's physical recovery, as he testified to ongoing chronic that limited his mobility and daily activities in the years following retirement. This prolonged recovery complicated his transition out of professional football, forcing him to adapt to a life marked by persistent discomfort and medical interventions.

Coaching career

Following his retirement from the NFL, Chris Maragos transitioned into coaching, accepting the position of head football coach at St. John Neumann High School in . The hiring was announced on December 18, 2024, for the 2025 season, marking his entry as a at the high school level. Maragos emphasized building a strong program culture centered on love, togetherness, and commitment, drawing directly from his experiences to mentor players. He plans to implement tailored playbooks and schemes inspired by professional and college levels, while leveraging his network of contacts to help athletes pursue higher opportunities in football. In expressing his vision, Maragos stated, "I feel like I have this calling on my life to give back to this next generation and allow these kids to reach their dreams and use the techniques I learned in the ." Damon Jones highlighted Maragos's focus on using football to develop young men, noting his clear vision for elevating the program. This coaching role coincided with Maragos's induction into the 2025 Racine County Sports Hall of Fame, where he was honored for his athletic achievements during a on October 23, 2025, at Roma Lodge in . The recognition underscored his transition from player to coach, celebrating his journey from a walk-on college athlete to a two-time champion.

Personal life

Maragos married Serah West on April 9, 2010. The couple has three children: sons Micah (born 2011) and Mason (born 2014), and daughter Cambria (born 2018). Maragos is a devout Christian, having deepened his faith through his relationship with his and involvement in Christian groups. He has been active with organizations such as Athletes in Action and the .

References

  1. http://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/13697/chris-maragos
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MaraCh99.htm
  3. https://www.nfl.com/news/ex-eagles-special-teams-captain-chris-maragos-retires-0ap3000001036007
  4. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/chris-maragos-1.html
  5. https://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/5918/maragos-im-just-a-football-player
  6. https://www.si.com/nfl/eagles/onsi/news/rothman-orthopaedic-ends-relationship-with-eagles-over-chris-maragos-damages-01j0vj8n2r1h
  7. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/12/18/chris-maragos-st-john-neumann-high-school-football-coach/77066411007/
  8. https://wmubroncos.com/sports/football/roster/chris-maragos/885
  9. https://www.thenationalherald.com/super-bowl-champion-chris-maragos-tells-tnh-about-glorious-journey-to-footballs-top-prize/
  10. https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/magazine/magazine-issue/spring-2018-vol-86-no-1/two-time-super-bowl-champion-sbts-donor-lives-public-faith/
  11. https://racinebible.org/people/troy-maragos/
  12. https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-maragos-89598214a
  13. https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/against-all-odds-maragos-storybook-career-15758368
  14. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/where-are-they-now-nfl-journey-of-chris-maragos
  15. https://www.chrismaragos.com/about.html
  16. https://wi.milesplit.com/meets/178536-wisconsin-tandf-state-championship-2005/results/311689/raw
  17. https://247sports.com/player/chris-maragos-76106/
  18. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/m/mara00190.html
  19. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2010/04_transactions.htm
  20. https://www.49ers.com/news/road-to-the-roster-chris-maragos-2578843
  21. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MaraCh99/gamelog/2010/
  22. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2011/09_transactions.htm
  23. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/sf/season/2011
  24. https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/badgers/football/2019/07/16/former-wisconsin-safety-chris-maragos-retires-from-nfl/78034573007/
  25. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/sea/season/2011
  26. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/05/29/seattle-seahawks-teamreport-14/
  27. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/2013.htm
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  31. https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/eagles-agree-to-3-year-extension-with-chris-maragos/355436/
  32. https://insidetheiggles.com/2017/10/19/philadelphia-eagles-place-safety-chris-maragos-on-ir/
  33. https://www.nj.com/eagles/2018/08/eagles_restructure_chris_maragos_contract_making_him_2019_fr.html
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  36. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/former-eagles-safety-chris-maragos-awarded-43-5m-in-suit-against-team-doctors-with-nick-foles-as-a-witness/
  37. https://www.meyers-flowers.com/our-firm/news-room/meyers-flowers-successfully-defend-43-5m-verdict-for-former-nfl-player-chris-mara/
  38. https://timraynelaw.com/philadelphia-jury-hands-43-5-million-verdict-to-former-eagles-player-the-day-after-super-bowl-loss/
  39. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/12/18/st-john-neumann-hires-seahawks-eagles-chris-maragos-football-coach/77046189007/
  40. https://journaltimes.com/sports/article_0a89994a-7d09-41ad-b6ba-de3019853c5c.html
  41. https://mabumbe.com/people/chris-maragos-family-career-achievements-more/
  42. https://patch.com/wisconsin/mountpleasant/eagles-chris-maragos-super-bowl-week-team-fun-family
  43. https://athletesinaction.org/articles/how-one-nfl-wife-stewards-the-platform/
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