HOW ACQUIRED:
Acquired by Seattle via trade with New England on September 11, 2006, for a first-round draft choice.
NFL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Originally drafted by New England in the second-round (65th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.
- Has totaled 21 receptions in two Super Bowls (XXXVIII, XXXIX). Tallied a game-high 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Carolina Panthers (2/1/04). Named Super Bowl MVP after tying a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions in the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Registered a game-high 133 receiving yards.
- Named 2004 NFL Offensive Player of Championship Sunday after recording a team- high 116 receiving yards on four receptions and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 41-27 AFC Championship victory over Pittsburgh (1/23/05).
- Led the Patriots with eight receptions and set a Patriots playoff record with 153 receiving yards at Denver (1/14/06) while also recording the longest reception in Patriots’ playoff history hauling in a 73-yard pass in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
HOW ACQUIRED:
Acquired by Seattle via trade with New England on September 11, 2006, for a first-round draft choice.
NFL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Originally drafted by New England in the second-round (65th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft.
- Has totaled 21 receptions in two Super Bowls (XXXVIII, XXXIX). Tallied a game-high 10 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 32-29 Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Carolina Panthers (2/1/04). Named Super Bowl MVP after tying a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions in the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. Registered a game-high 133 receiving yards.
- Named 2004 NFL Offensive Player of Championship Sunday after recording a team- high 116 receiving yards on four receptions and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 41-27 AFC Championship victory over Pittsburgh (1/23/05).
- Led the Patriots with eight receptions and set a Patriots playoff record with 153 receiving yards at Denver (1/14/06) while also recording the longest reception in Patriots’ playoff history hauling in a 73-yard pass in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
- Set Patriots single-game rookie record by hauling in 13 passes at San Diego (9/29/02) and tied the second highest total by a rookie in NFL single-game history.
- Has started 37 of 347 games played in three seasons with Seattle catching 177 passes for 2,235 yards and 14 TDs.
- Suffered a torn ACL in Seahawks Divisional Playoff Game at Green Bay (1/12/08) and rehabbed to return to action the following season Week 5 at New York.
COLLEGE:
Hauled in 143 passes for 2,204 yards (15.4 average) and 18 touchdowns while at Louisville (2000-01). Total receptions rank sixth on the school’s career-record list while 2,204 yards are topped only by Miguel Montano (2,305, 1994-97), Ibn Green (2,830, 1996-99) and Arnold Jackson (3,670, 1997-2000) in Louisville annals. Only Anthony Cummings (25, 1987-90), Green (33) and Jackson (31) had more touchdown catches in a career for the Cardinals. Became only the second player in school history to record multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons, joining Jackson (1,209 in 1999 and 1,165 in 1998). Earned team MVP honors following the 2000 season. Earned second- team All-America honors at Jones County (Ellisville, Miss.) College following the 1998 season. Caught 69 passes for 1,012 yards (14.7 avg.) and nine scores and helped JCC to a 12-0 mark and a victory in the Golden Isles Bowl.
PERSONAL:
Born Anthony Branch. Lettered in football and track at Monroe (Albany, Ga.) High. Participated in indoor track at Louisville in 2001. Competed in the 60 meter dash (7.1). Also performed on the outdoor squad in the 60 meters, 100 meters and 4x100 relays. Besides football, also enjoys soccer. Majored in communications. Married to wife Shola with twin boys Deiondre and Deiontey, and daughter D'Ahni.
