Ben Graham Named Jets Co-captain

Rapid Rise for Former Cat 
 by Johnson Leung, reporting for AFANA in Melbourne

Former Geelong captain turned NFL punter Ben Graham has been named one of the six co-captains of the New York Jets.   In a vote completed by teammates, Graham was named captain of the Jets' special team alongside linebacker Matt Chatman. The other co-captains are left guard Pete Kendall and quarterback Chad Pennington on offense, and linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive end Shaun Ellis on defense.

According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Graham is one of the few players to ever be a captain on a professional team in two different sports. Also, it's rare in the NFL that a punter is voted a captain.  Eric Mangini, in his first year as Jets head coach, says he is looking into whether that makes him the first Australian to hold such a position. 

Graham only joined the Jets in January 2005, but clearly impressed, signing on for a further six years in a deal worth over US$5 million.   In his debut season, Graham punted in all 16 games, making 74 punts for an average of 37.9 yards, the highest average by a Jets' kicker since 1999.

While AFL captains are awarded by the coach, Graham said it was a special honour to be selected by his teammates.   "It means a lot to be voted by your peers," Graham told the New York Times. "To a lot of people a title doesn't mean that much. It doesn't affect the way they play. But it certainly helps around how a team gels off the field and I think it's important."

While Graham was often the centre of attention among the Geelong faithful, he has learned to his place at the Jets is a less illustrious role.  "I've sort of come to learn that while kickers and punters are an integral part of special teams, it's generally the offensive and defensive players that hold the esteem in the locker room," he said.

Hours after Graham was honoured with co-captaincy, he kicked off in practice while the 1980s Men At Work pop hit "Down Under" blared from the sideline speakers. Mangini chose the song to make Graham feel at home, and to prod his special-teams mates to heed a line in the song that says, "You better run, you better take cover."

Mangini, who has invited inspirational speakers to the team complex this summer, may bring in Vince Papale to address the Jets and chat with Graham, who broke Papale's record of being the oldest rookie to make an NFL opening-day roster.   Graham said when Mangini took the Jets to a sneak preview of "Invincible" early in training camp, it crossed his mind that he was watching a film about Papale, who was 30 years, 7 months old when he started with the Eagles in 1976. Graham was 31 years, 10 months old when he punted for the Jets at Kansas City a year ago.

 "It's an interesting record to have, I guess," Graham was quoted as saying. "Some people are proud of me. I think it's a little embarrassing. But it adds to the adventure."

 Sources: sportal.com.au, sportsfeatures.com, New York Times, northjersey.com

Johnson Leung
  AFANA
Melbourne, Australia