Brandon Bolden

Last updated

Brandon Bolden
Brandon Bolden 2016.JPG
Bolden with the New England Patriots in 2016
Personal information
Born: (1990-01-26) January 26, 1990 (age 34)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school: Scotlandville Magnet (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
College: Ole Miss (2008–2011)
Position: Running back
Undrafted: 2012
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing yards:1,304
Rushing average:4.6
Receptions:109
Receiving yards:959
Return yards:609
Total touchdowns:20
Total tackles:63
Player stats at PFR

Brandon Bolden (born January 26, 1990) is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2012 by the New England Patriots, where he played nine non-consecutive seasons. [1] Primarily utilized as a special teams player, Bolden was a member of two Super Bowl-winning teams with New England. In between his two Patriots stints, he played for the Miami Dolphins in 2018. Bolden left the Patriots a second time to join the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.

Contents

Early life

Bolden attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. [2] As a senior, Bolden rushed for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to being named First-team All-District 5-5A. He also caught 12 passes for 256 yards. SuperPrep named him SuperPrep All-Region and ranked him the No. 34 best player in Louisiana. Bolden was named the No. 93 best running back in the nation by Scout.com. He was heavily recruited by Les Miles and LSU, but ultimately decided to play for Houston Nutt at Ole Miss. [1]

College career

Although fellow running back Enrique Davis was more regarded as a recruit,[ citation needed ] by his sophomore year, Bolden had gained the starting role for the Rebels. In the 2009 season, he finished with 129 carries for 614 yards and four touchdowns. [3] In the 2010 season, Bolden averaged nearly six yards a carry. [4] Against BYU in the first game of the 2011 season, Bolden suffered a broken ankle. Although the fracture was a minor one and he only missed a few games, he never returned to his previous form. He finished the 2011 season with 96 carries for 472 yards and four touchdowns. [5] He was not selected in the 2012 NFL draft, although some sites predicted he might be drafted in one of the later rounds. [6] Although Bleacher Report reported on April 30, 2012, that he had agreed to a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins, Bolden later tweeted that the report was false. On May 2, 2012, a New York Times blog reported that he had signed a free agent deal with the New England Patriots.

College statistics

SeasonTeamConfClassPosGPRushingReceiving
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2008 Ole Miss SECFRRB13985425.551010710.71
2009 Ole Miss SECSORB131296144.842020910.51
2010 Ole Miss SECJRRB121639766.0143234410.83
2011 Ole Miss SECSRRB10964624.841414710.51
Career 484862,5945.3277680710.66

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+7⁄8 in
(1.80 m)		222 lb
(101 kg)		32+1⁄4 in
(0.82 m)		10 in
(0.25 m)		4.66 s1.63 s2.74 s4.44 s6.96 s38.0 in
(0.97 m)		9 ft 11 in
(3.02 m)		21 reps
All values from NFL Combine [7] [8]

New England Patriots (first stint)

During the 2012 preseason, Bolden had 36 carries for 128 yards and caught four passes, but fumbled the ball twice, losing one. Nevertheless, at the end of training camp, the Patriots elected to keep Bolden on their 53-man roster, rather than try to place him on their practice squad. He scored his first touchdown in the Patriots' Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens; [9] in Week 4, against the Buffalo Bills, he led the Patriots with 137 yards on 16 carries—an average of 8.6 yards per carry. He scored one touchdown and added an 11-yard reception. [10] He and Stevan Ridley, who had 106 yards on 22 carries with two touchdowns, became the first Patriots running backs to accrue 100 rushing yards in the same game since 1982. Moreover, Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski had 100-yard games that day as well, making the four only the second such quartet of two 100-yard rushers and two 100-yard receivers in a single game for the same team. For his efforts, Bolden was named the NFL's FedEx Ground Player of the Week for Week 4. [11] On November 9, 2012, Bolden was suspended four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. [12] Overall, he finished the 2012 season with 56 carries for 274 yards and two touchdowns. [13] Bolden was active for 12 of the Patriots' games during the 2013 season and finished the year with 271 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and 4.9 yards per carry; he also had 152 receiving yards. [14]

Bolden was a part of the Patriots Super Bowl XLIX championship team when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 28–24, and played in all 19 of the Patriots regular-season and postseason games. [15] [16] On January 9, 2015, Bolden was signed to a two-year extension by the Patriots. [17] On November 9, 2015, Bolden caught his first touchdown pass, an 18-yarder from Tom Brady, against the Washington Redskins. [18] On November 29, Bolden caught his second touchdown pass on a 63-yard catch-and-run in a loss to the Denver Broncos. [19] In the 2016 season, Bolden went back to a reserve role on offense and played mostly on special teams. [20] On February 5, 2017, Bolden was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, he played only on special teams as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. [21] The Patriots trailed 28–3 in the third quarter, but rallied to win the game, 34–28, in the first overtime game in Super Bowl history and the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. [22] [23]

On April 5, 2017, Bolden re-signed with the Patriots. [24] On September 2, 2017, he was released by the Patriots, but was re-signed two days later. [25] [26] As in 2016, he saw little action as a running back. In the first half of 2017, he saw no carries from the backfield, but served extensively on special teams, serving as a gunner opposite Matthew Slater. Bolden recorded six special teams tackles through Week 9 of 2017. [27]

On February 24, 2018, Bolden signed a one-year contract extension with the Patriots through the 2018 season. [28] [29] On September 1, Bolden was released by the Patriots. [30]

Miami Dolphins

On September 4, 2018, Bolden signed with the Miami Dolphins. [31] He mainly played on special teams and recorded 91 rushing yards (54 of which came on one play, which was a career long, against the Patriots in the Miracle in Miami game), two rushing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown on the 2018 season. [32]

New England Patriots (second stint)

Bolden in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2019 Brandon Bolden 2019.jpg
Bolden in a game against the Washington Redskins in 2019

On March 13, 2019, Bolden signed a two-year contract with the Patriots. [33] Overall, in the 2019 season, Bolden recorded 15 carries for 68 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns to go along with nine receptions for 111 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. [34]

On July 28, 2020, Bolden announced his decision to opt out of the 2020 season, due to concerns over the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. [35]

In 2021, Bolden had a career-high 405 receiving yards on 41 receptions as the Patriots primary third-down back, along with 44 carries for 226 rushing yards. [36]

Las Vegas Raiders

On March 16, 2022, Bolden signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal. [37] He appeared in 16 of the 17 regular season games in 2022 and mainly contributed on special teams. [38]

In Week 15, against the Los Angeles Chargers, Bolden scored a 26-yard rushing touchdown on just his second carry of the season. [39]

Personal life

Brandon and his wife Arianna have three children together. Their son Brycen was born in May 2011, their daughter Axelle-Masai was born in March 2017, and their youngest daughter Aviana was born in February 2019. The couple was married in June 2014, having been together since 2008 when they both attended Scotlandville Magnet High School. [40]

Bolden's grandfather, Frank Pitts, was a wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders in 1974. Pitts played for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV. [41] [42] In 2021, Bolden changed his jersey number from 38 to 25 so Pitts could see his grandson playing in his number. [43]

On December 31, 2021, Bolden revealed that he had battled cancer in 2018. He was diagnosed with epidermoid carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, following the Patriots' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII and temporarily lost function of the right side of his face. He since underwent surgery and is cancer-free. [44]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceivingFumblesTackles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLostCmbSoloAst
2012 NE 100562744.92722115.511000550
2013 NE 122552714.9463211527.218000000
2014 NE 16228893.2171284.04000642
2015 NE 152632073.3140191809.563T200321
2016 NE 140144.0402157.513000440
2017 NE 16013675.2200177.07000871
2018 MIA 16089111.45423134.39111642
2019 NE 15215684.5213911112.329100770
2020 NE 00did not play due to COVID-19 opt-out
2021 NE 171442264.1241414059.9282101192
2022 LV 16017663.91209576.318100853
2023 LV 1704317.8261000.00000431
Career 16493041,3944.654131099598.863721635013

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References

  1. 1 2 "#34 Brandon Bolden Biography". Ole Miss Rebels Athletics. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  2. ↑ Underhill, Nick (February 9, 2015). "Patriots' Brandon Bolden following in footsteps of grandfather, former Chiefs player Frank Pitts". The Advocate. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2009 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2010 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2011 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Brandon Bolden | Mississippi, RB : 2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". NfldraftScout.com. September 21, 2006. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  7. ↑ "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Brandon Bolden". NFL.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Brandon Bolden, Mississippi, RB, 2012 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ "New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens – September 23rd, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  10. ↑ "New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – September 30th, 2012". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  11. ↑ "FedEx Players Air and Ground". NFL.com. July 21, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Patriots rookie RB Bolden suspended four games". Yahoo! Sports. November 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Super Bowl XLIX – Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots – February 1st, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  17. ↑ Yates, Field (January 9, 2015). "Patriots sign Brandon Bolden to extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Washington Redskins at New England Patriots – November 8th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  19. ↑ "New England Patriots at Denver Broncos – November 29th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  22. ↑ Hill, Rich (January 1, 2017). "Which Pats could be playing their last regular season game for New England?". PatsPulpit.com. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  23. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (February 5, 2017). "New England Patriots win Super Bowl LI". NFL.com. NFL. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  24. ↑ "Patriots re-sign RB Brandon Bolden". Patriots.com. April 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2017.
  25. ↑ "Patriots reach 53-man limit". Patriots.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Patriots Re-Sign RB Brandon Bolden; Place LB Shea McClellin on Injured Reserve; Make Changes to the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. September 4, 2017. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  28. ↑ Bergman, Jeremy (February 24, 2018). "Patriots bring back RB Brandon Bolden for 2018". NFL.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  29. ↑ Reiss, Mike (February 24, 2018). "Patriots retain core special teamer Brandon Bolden on one-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Patriots Announce Roster Cutdown". Patriots.com. September 1, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. September 4, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  33. ↑ Chiari, Mike (March 13, 2019). "Patriots Rumors: Brandon Bolden Agrees to 2-Year Contract to Return to NE". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Patriots re-sign wide receiver Will Hastings". Patriots.com. July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Raiders sign RB Brandon Bolden". Raiders.com. March 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Brandon Bolden 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  39. ↑ Trezevant, Ezekiel (December 20, 2023). "Raiders Leaning on Running Back Depth". SI.com. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Getting to know Brandon Bolden ... again". Patriots.com. March 14, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  41. ↑ Reiss, Mike (September 22, 2012). "Football journey: Brandon Bolden". Patriots Blog. ESPN Boston. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Around The Web: Replacing TG, Krumrie Runs, Chiefs Bloodlines In SEC". KC Chiefs Blog. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  43. ↑ Fiske, Angelique (June 10, 2021). "Brandon Bolden shares the sentimental reason for changing his jersey number". Patriots.com. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  44. ↑ Sullivan, Tyler (December 31, 2021). "Patriots' Brandon Bolden reveals he battled cancer in 2018, didn't think he'd play in NFL again". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
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