Benjamin Richard Grubbs (born March 10, 1984) is an American former professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

player who was a

guard Guard or guards may refer to: Professional occupations * Bodyguard, who protects an individual from personal assault * Crossing guard, who stops traffic so pedestrians can cross the street * Lifeguard, who rescues people from drowning * Prison gu ...

in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL). He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

for the

Auburn Tigers The Auburn Tigers are the athletic teams representing Auburn University, a public four-year university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. The Auburn Tigers compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) a ...

, and was selected by the

Baltimore Ravens The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...

in the first round of the

2007 NFL draft The 2007 NFL draft was the 72nd annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible American football players. It took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, New York, on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draf ...

. He also played for the

New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans. The Saints compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. Since 1975, the team ...

and

Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Established in 1959 ...

Early life

Grubbs was born in

Columbus, Georgia Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee ...

. He was raised in

Eclectic, Alabama Eclectic is a town in Elmore County, Alabama, United States. It incorporated in 1907. At the 2020 census, the population was 1,193. It is part of the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area. History Eclectic was founded by Dr. M. L. Fielde ...

and attended Elmore County High School where he was the team's star linebacker. Grubbs registered 150 tackles, six sacks, and an interception as a senior. A two-way star, Grubbs also played fullback, rushing for 130 yards on 28 carries, with two touchdowns. He also caught seven passes for 50 yards. As a junior, Grubbs managed 110 total tackles, and an interception, also lettering as a four-year starter on the basketball team. As a senior, he was rated one of the top 10 players in Alabama by SuperPrep Magazine. Grubbs was a SuperPrep All-American and an Alabama Sports Writer's Class 4A All-State selection as a linebacker. At 6-4, 250 as a high school senior, he was recruited as a defensive end, though. Considered a four-star recruit by '' Rivals.com'', Grubbs was listed as the No. 23 strongside defensive end prospect in the nation. He verbally committed to Auburn on January 23, 2002, picking the Tigers over

LSU Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as Louisiana State University (LSU), is an American Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louis ...

and

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

College career

Grubbs began attending at

Auburn University Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 26,800 undergraduate students, over 6,100 post-graduate students, and a tota ...

in 2002 after being encouraged to attend by his cousin, Alvin Leonard, as an oversized linebacker or undersized defensive end. He was redshirted for the 2002 football season, while he worked with the team's strength and conditioning coach to build muscle. Grubbs was slated to work with as a defensive tackle the following year. Grubbs moved from defensive tackle to tight end during the 2003 season, playing in a total of nine games, including the last seven. During spring drills the following year, Grubbs moved from tight end to offensive guard, under the recommendation of his position coach Hugh Nall. Grubbs started all 13 games during the Auburn Tiger's undefeated 2004 campaign. In 2005, he started all 12 games for the Auburn Tigers. During his career at Auburn University, Grubbs never missed a game and started 37 straight contests. During his Auburn career he blocked for future NFL running backs

Cadillac Williams Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams (born April 21, 1982) is an American professional football coach and former running back who most recently served as the running backs coach for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He ...

Ronnie Brown Ronnie G. Brown Jr. (born December 12, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn Uni ...

Kenny Irons Kenny Irons (born September 15, 1983) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He playe ...

, and quarterback

Jason Campbell Jason S. Campbell (born December 31, 1981) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers and was selected by the Washington Reds ...

. He also starred alongside future left tackle for the San Diego Chargers, Marcus McNeill. Grubbs completed his degree from Auburn, graduating with a Bachelor's in Public Administration in May 2006.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Grubbs was selected by the

in the first round with the 29th overall pick in the

. During his five years with the Ravens, he started 70 of 74 games and made one Pro Bowl.

New Orleans Saints

Grubbs signed a five-year, $36 million contract with the

on March 15, 2012. During his time with the Saints, he made one

Pro Bowl The National Football League All-Star Game (1939–1942), Pro Bowl (1951–2022), or Pro Bowl Games (since 2023) is an annual event held by the National Football League (NFL) featuring the league's All-star, star players. The format has changed ...

Kansas City Chiefs

On March 12, 2015, Grubbs was traded to the

in exchange for a 5th round draft pick in the

2015 NFL draft The 2015 NFL draft was the 80th annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible American football, football players. It took place in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre and in Grant Park (Chicago), Grant Park ...

( Tyeler Davison). On December 2, 2015, the Chiefs placed Grubbs on injured reserve. In his first season with the Chiefs, Grubbs started all 7 games he played in prior to being injured. At the end of the season, the Chiefs released him.

References

External links

ESPN player profileKansas City Chiefs bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grubbs, Ben 1984 births Living people People from Elmore County, Alabama Players of American football from Alabama American football offensive guards Auburn Tigers football players Baltimore Ravens players New Orleans Saints players Kansas City Chiefs players American Conference Pro Bowl players Unconferenced Pro Bowl players