AsylumGuido

A position-focused contract negotiation and a new NFL rule making his favorite post-touchdown celebration a penalty ignited much discussion about the two-time Pro Bowler.

The 27-week long offseason hoopla over Graham’s contract situation ended Tuesday morning, the final day to reach a long-term contract before the season, when the All-Pro and Saints agreed to terms on a multi-year deal.

“I’m beyond excited,” Graham said Tuesday night. “I didn’t get into to football to learn litigation. I got into football to win games with my teammates, friends and coaches. I am extremely happy to get back to what it’s really about.”

It’s well-documented how the wide receiver-tight end debate played out. Even though it didn’t fall in favor of Graham’s side, it’s impossible for the 27-year old not to feel blessed with where he is at in his career after the journey he has taken to get here.

Graham was just a third-round draft pick in 2010 after having only 13 collegiate football games under his belt which left many draft analysts questioning whether he was tough enough to play at the pro level.

As a child in North Carolina, he grew up under a number of different roofs, dropped off at social services and signed away to a group home at 11 years old.

Although his path was turned in the right direction after a family he met in his bible study group took him in, he hasn’t forgotten the roller coaster of a childhood he endured.

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