Cary Brabham

James Cary Brabham (born August 11, 1970) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) in 1994. He played college football for the SMU Mustangs. Brabham appeared on the cover of Madden NFL '96, along with Gordon Laro of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Early life James Cary Brabham was born on August 11, 1970, in Longview, Texas. He played high school football at Hughes Springs High School in Hughes Springs, Texas, as a fullback and safety.

College career Brabham played college football at Southern Methodist University, where he was a four-year letterman and four-year starter at safety for the SMU Mustangs from 1989 to 1992. In October 1992, Brabham noted that he "was in position for nine interceptions last year, but I dropped all of them but one." He decided to accept the Los Angeles Raiders' offer, knowing that they were thin at safety after the trade of Ronnie Lott.

On February 15, 1995, Brabham was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 20th pick of the 1995 NFL expansion draft. He was released on August 16, 1995. Brabham later said that he had no idea he was on the cover, stating "It was probably a year later, and I was in a store, and go, ‘Wow. Look, there I am." Afterward, the Raiders reportedly offered him an opportunity to play in NFL Europe but Brabham decided to retire from pro football.

Personal life Brabham later ran an online wholesaler called Jubilee Collection, which sold lights for children's rooms.