Daniel Graham Daniel Lawrence Graham ( born November 16 , 1978 ) is a former American football tight end in the National Football League ( NFL ) . He played college football for the University of Colorado , and was recognized as an All - American . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft , and also played professionally for the Denver Broncos , Tennessee Titans and New Orleans Saints . Early years . Graham was born in Torrance , California . Growing up in Denver , Colorado , he attended Thomas Jefferson High School . Graham won the Randy Brewer award , which was given to the school ' s most inspirational player . During his time there , he played the positions of tight end , outside linebacker , long snapper , and placekicker . As a senior , he caught 33 passes for 741 yards ( 22 . 45 yards per reception ) and six touchdown s , and recorded twelve quarterback sack s and 29 total tackles in just seven games . He also lettered three times in basketball . At Thomas Jefferson High school and later at the University of Colorado , Graham wore jersey No . 89 , the number that former New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro wore during his pro career . As a child Graham idolized Bavaro , who has since followed Graham ' s career and has come to befriend him in his adult life . College career . While attending the University of Colorado , Graham played for the Colorado Buffaloes football team from 1998 to 2001 . He was a prolific receiver for the Buffaloes , where he also started two games playing fullback during his freshman season before switching to tight end . After his senior season in 2001 , he won the John Mackey Award as the nation ' s best tight end , was a first - team All - Big 12 selection , and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American . He finished his college career with 106 receptions for 1 , 543 yards and 11 touchdowns . Professional career . New England Patriots . In the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft , the Patriots selected Graham with the 21st overall choice . Early in his career he was known for dropping too many passes and suffering apparent lapses of concentration . He improved greatly in this aspect of his playing and also started to make himself known as a very good blocking TE too . In his rookie season , Graham recorded 15 receptions for 150 yards , and one touchdown . He added four tackles on special teams . In 2003 , he started nine games and recorded 38 catches for 409 yards and four touchdowns . By 2004 , Graham was fully integrated into the Patriots ' system . He had 30 receptions for 364 yards and seven touchdowns . The Patriots won the Super Bowl at the end of each of these seasons . Graham was named the Patriots offensive team captain on December 6 , 2006 . Denver Broncos . Graham was signed by the Denver Broncos on March 6 , 2007 . The Broncos awarded Graham a five - year , $ 30 million contract . The deal included $ 15 million in guaranteed money that was distributed as a $ 10 million signing bonus along with a first - year roster bonus of $ 5 million . He was voted offensive captain along with quarterback Jay Cutler for the 2008 season . Daniel Graham was featured on the cover of the October 12 , 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine . The cover photo shows Graham cradling the football in his left arm and hurdling an unnamed Dallas Cowboys player during the October 4 , 2009 contest where the Broncos defeated the Cowboys by the score of 17 - 10 . On March 2 , 2011 , the Broncos released Graham . Tennessee Titans . On July 31 , 2011 , Graham signed a three - year deal with the Tennessee Titans . He was released on June 12 , 2012 with two years remaining on an $ 8 . 25 million contract . Graham was losing reps to Jared Cook , Craig Stevens and rookie Taylor Thompson . New Orleans Saints . On August 11 , 2012 , Graham signed with the New Orleans Saints . On November 2 , 2012 , Graham was released by the New Orleans Saints . He retired in August 2013 . Personal . His father , Tom Graham , starred at the University of Oregon from 1969 - 1971 where he became the all time leading tackler in Duck football history and a 2001 inductee into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame . Tom played professionally for the Denver Broncos , the Kansas City Chiefs , the San Diego Chargers , and the Buffalo Bills during the course of an eight year career as a linebacker .