Gary Brackett

Gary Lawrence Brackett (born May 23, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Brackett played for the Colts for his entire 9-year career, and was part of their Super Bowl XLI winning team.

Early life Brackett attended Glassboro High School in Glassboro, New Jersey. He was a two-time All-South Jersey selection, a two-time All-Group I choice, and a two-time All-Tri-County Conference choice.

College career Brackett was a walk-on to the Rutgers University football team. By his senior year, he was captain of the defensive team and won the team's defensive MVP honors.

Professional career On April 27, 2003, the Indianapolis Colts signed Brackett as an undrafted free agent after he was not selected in the 2003 NFL draft.

Brackett competed for a roster spot as a backup linebacker and special teams player during training camp in 2003. He impressed the coaching staff with his ability covering kickoffs. He made his professional regular season debut during the Indianapolis Colts' season-opener at the Cleveland Browns. He finished their 9–6 win with one solo tackle. On October 26, 2003, Brackett collected a season-high six combined tackles (five solo) during a 30–21 victory against the Houston Texans in Week 8. In Week 12, Brackett made three solo tackles and made his first career sack as the Colts defeated the Buffalo Bills 17–14. He sacked Bills' quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a nine-yard loss during the second quarter.

In 2005, he had 127 tackles, three interceptions and a sack. In the divisional round against the Steelers, he forced a fumble from Jerome Bettis that teammate Nick Harper would have returned for a touchdown had Ben Roethlisberger not made a touchdown saving tackle. In 2006, he was named defensive captain of the Colts and had 120 tackles.

Personal life

During a 17-month span, starting in 2003, Brackett lost his mother, father, and brother.

In 2009 Brackett was the 11th annual recipient of the Arthur S. Arkush Humanitarian Award, presented to an NFL player "whose contributions to the community and charitable organizations are especially outstanding." He won the award for his work with the IMPACT Foundation, a charity he founded in the spring of 2007.

In 2011, Brackett published Winning: From Walk-On to Captain, In Football and Life, a memoir about his life, including his accomplishments and struggles with family, college, and the NFL.

Gary and his wife Ragan have three children: Gabrielle, Gary Jr., and, Georgia Reese