Christopher Michael Draft (born February 26, 1976) is a former American football linebacker. He previously played for the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, and Buffalo Bills. Draft played college football at Stanford University.

Early life

Draft was an All-American in football and baseball at Kraemer Middle School and Valencia High School in Placentia, California. He played running back and linebacker during his prep career. He was an honors student and a member of the school's ASB Leadership organization.

College career

He was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at inside linebacker for Stanford. He started his Stanford career as a true freshman playing strong safety. As a two-time Second-team All-Pacific-10 Conference selection, he totaled 316 career tackles, six sacks and two interceptions. As a senior in 1997, he earned Second-team All-Pac-10 honors and led the Cardinal with 81 tackles and contributed two sacks and two interceptions. He graduated from Stanford with a degree in economics.

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Draft was drafted in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 1998 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears and appeared in one game, was inactive for three contests and spent 12 games on the Bears practice squad. On 30 August 1998 he was waived by Chicago prior to the start of the regular season and signed to practice squad by the Bears on 1 September 1998 before being promoted to the active roster on 2 December.

San Francisco 49ers

On 29 September 1999 Draft was signed to practice squad by the 49ers, where he spent six contests before being signed to the active roster on 20 November 1999. He saw action in seven games, mainly on special teams, for the San Francisco 49ers and notched seven special teams stops.

Atlanta Falcons

Claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Falcons on 11 February 2000 after being waved by San Francisco on 10 February 2000. He played in 13 games with eight starts with the Falcons and registered 67 tackles, one sack and one special teams tackle. In 2001 Draft played in 13 games with 10 starts at weakside linebacker and made 73 tackles, one pass deflection and three special teams stops. The next season, 2002, he played 15 games with five starts and had 66 tackles and a then career-high 3.5 sacks. In 2003, he started all 16 games for the first time of career and established a career-high in tackles with 124. In 2004 Draft moved to middle linebacker from weakside linebacker as Atlanta switched to a 4-3 defense from a 3–4. He played in 14 games with 13 starts and posted 56 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and three passes deflected.

Carolina Panthers

Draft was signed by Carolina in early 2005. Played in all 16 games in first season in Carolina, also seeing action in all three postseason contests. In 2006, he started all 16 games for the second time of his career and he made 107 tackles and had 5.5 sacks.

St. Louis Rams

On March 19, 2007, he signed a three-year contract with the Rams. He played in all 16 games with six starts in his first season with the Rams and registered 50 tackles (40 solo) including 1.0 sack. His 14 special teams tackles ranked fourth on team. Seven of his starts came in place of an injured Pisa Tinoisamoa. In 2008, he made 38 tackles and 2 pass deflections. He was released from the Rams on September 10, 2009.

Buffalo Bills

On October 13, 2009, the day that the Buffalo Bills placed starting linebacker Kawika Mitchell on the IR with a knee injury, Buffalo signed Draft to a one-year contract. With Buffalo, the linebacker played in 11 games with three starts. He registered 43 tackles and 1 interception on defense and added 5 stops on special teams. He was a free agent after that season.

Washington Redskins

On May 7, 2010, the Washington Redskins signed Draft to a one-year contract. On August 23, 2010, Draft was released.

Career highlights

2008 Byron “Whizzer” White Award Finalist 2007 NFL Alumni "Spirit Award" 2006 Man of the Year – Carolina Panthers 2004 Byron “Whizzer” White Award Finalist Career best 178 tackles (110 solo) in 2003 Host of his own Atlanta Metro Area television show "The Draft Report" 2002 Ed Block Courage Award 2001 Rankin Smith Award National Service Projects 2007 Spokesperson: Climb California 2006 spokesperson: American Lung Association – Southeast region 2004 Hosted youth clinic for 50 children in Germany 2004 Visit with war veterans in Palo Alto, CA Stanford University Athletic Department mentor Orangewood (CA) Children's Home Black History Awareness Sun Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters Annual Fundraiser participant Community Sports Activities 2004 Boys and Girls Club football clinic 2004 Host of Project Fit America 2004 Prison Ministries of Atlanta football camp 2005/04 Flacons Fitness Challenge 2003/04 Co-host of Falcons “Thank the Fans” event 2003/04 Falcons Draft Day Fan Fest Community Service Projects 2006 American Lung Association Asthma Walk and Camp Breathe Easy 2006 Founder of The Chris Draft Family Foundation 2005 Sponsor of the Zap Asthma summer camp 2004 Center for Disease Control “Steps for a Healthier U.S. Initiative” 2004 Atlanta Business Women's dinner 2004 Falcons Football Academy 2004 Atlanta Braves Ball Boy Mentoring Program 2004 NFL Yet Center Extra Yard partnership 2003/04 NFL Yet Center spokesperson

Personal life

Draft met Keasha Rutledge in 2006. They were married 5 years later, on November 27, 2011. She died of lung cancer on December 27, 2011.