Graham Roomed With His Mom In College
February 13th, 2011
Joe had heard of this Earnest Graham story below previously and saw it again today in a profile of Ed Block Courage Award nominees, which honors a player on each NFL team for sportsmanship, courage and other achievements of character. Players vote for a teammate on each club.
The folks at PressBoxOnline.com out of Baltimore have put together short profiles of every NFL pick for the award. Graham is the selection for the Bucs. Here’s a snippet of the profile:
She lost her battle with cancer last November. Graham was extremely close with his mother, “My mom was my roommate in college. I lived with her a year and a half, two years,” Earnest Graham said. “She had some major back surgery, major back problems. She didn’t want me to live with her, but that was the only way I could give her some help. It was to the point where I was picking her up out of bed. She couldn’t even get up out of bed. But she would still go to work.”
This is just such a testament’s to Graham’s character. Joe’s almost speechless, even though he’s heard it before.
Joe wonders whether Graham’s mother’s final days and her passing — all during last season — had a significant effect on Graham on the field. How could they not? It could be a bit of a bounceback season in 2011 for him for that reason.
Joe typically talks to Graham before his annual bowling and basketball charity fundraisers each May. Just a great guy.
February 13th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
he will not be on the roster next year….maybe the coaching staff
February 13th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Graham is an inspiration to us all.
Man, he is such a talented running back that could’ve been a pro bowl player if given the chance. But no, his career was just wasted cause one no gave him a chance. As an Earnest Graham fan, I wish he would’ve spoken up more here about his role and stood up for himself. He’s meant to be a running back, not a fullback.
February 13th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Earnest Graham seems like a great guy. My favorite “new” (i.e. post SB-win) player on the team.
February 13th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Look no further than EG to see what an incredible mom Ms. G must have been.
February 13th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Earnest is the kind of player and person you love to have representing your team and your town. God bless you EG! I don’t believe his story here is finished.
February 13th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
I agree, Graham’s career was wasted in Tampa, but he is much too much of a team player to ever complain. I will miss him, but I hope Tampa lets him go to a team that will play him regular, and allow him to finish out his career in style, vs riding the bench in Tampa.
February 14th, 2011 at 2:34 am
Joe here,
Can’t imagine he’s gone in 2011. He’s signed and too valuable to let go.
February 14th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
can’t help but love EG. Great guy