Aussies In The NFL Series: Ben Graham

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Ben Graham is a punter for the Arizona Cardinals and became the first Australian player to play in a NFL Super Bowl.

After a successful career in the AFL for the Geelong Football Team, Graham known for his booming kicks and torpedo punts decided to take his gift to the NFL.

Graham was first approached by the New York Jets in 1997 but decided to keep playing AFL where he was the captain of Geelong and played in the 1995 AFL Grand Final and won the clubs Best and Fairest in 1999.

Years later in 2004, Graham quit AFL to take the Jets up on their offer and became their starting Punter that season. In 2006, Graham signed to a six-year contract worth US$5.17 million.

In late 2006, Graham made history becoming the first Australian to captain an American pro-sports team when he joined the leadership group of the New York Jets. Two years later he was waived by the Jets and signed by the New Orleans Saints. He was then released after one game and signed by the Arizona Cardinals.

After a late season winning streak and strong playoff campaign, the Cardinals made the 2009 NFL Super Bowl but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Graham was the first Australian to play in a Super Bowl and is currently the Cardinals starting Punter.

Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Graham_(footballer)

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