Rafael Bush (born May 12, 1987) is a former

American football American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron football, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular American football field, field with goalposts at e ...

safety who played 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 ...

at South Carolina State and was signed by the

Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The Falcons were founded o ...

as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He was also a member of the Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and Buffalo Bills.

Professional career

Atlanta Falcons

After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft, Bush signed with the

on April 26, 2010. He was released on September 4, 2010 and signed to the Falcons' practice squad the next day. The team promoted him to the active roster on December 29, 2010. He was released during final cuts on September 3, 2011, but re-signed to the practice squad the following day.

Denver Broncos

On October 17, 2011, Bush was signed away from the Falcons' practice squad by the Denver Broncos.

New Orleans Saints (first stint)

On September 1, 2012, Bush was signed by the New Orleans Saints. Bush was noted for wearing #25 with the team, which was notably worn by Reggie Bush during the latter's tenure with the team. Bush was a restricted free agent after the 2013 season, and he signed an offer sheet with the Falcons that would have returned him to Atlanta for reported compensation of about $4.5 million for two years. However, on April 7, 2014, the Saints exercised their right to match the Falcons' offer and bring Bush back to New Orleans. During the 2015 season, he played in the Saints' season opener at Arizona before being placed on injured reserve for the remainder of the season at the recommendation of Dr. Charlie Sommerfeld.

Detroit Lions

On March 12, 2016, the Detroit Lions signed Bush to a one-year contract. In Week 6 against the Los Angeles Rams, Bush made his first interception as a Lion. The Rams were trailing by 3 in the two minute warning of the 4th quarter, and Bush intercepted Case Keenum, which sealed the victory for the Lions. Bush scored his first career touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. He picked off a tipped pass, and returned it for 39 yards and a touchdown. Bush's interception was first in the video ''Top 10 Most Athletic Plays of Week 11'' on NFL.com.

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

On March 30, 2017, Bush signed with the Saints. He recorded 23 tackles during the year.

Buffalo Bills

On March 14, 2018, Bush signed a two year, $4.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills. On July 19, 2019, Bush announced his retirement from the NFL.

NFL statistics

References

External links

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New Orleans Saints bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bush, Rafael 1987 births Living people American football safeties People from Williston, South Carolina Players of American football from South Carolina South Carolina State Bulldogs football players Atlanta Falcons players Denver Broncos players New Orleans Saints players Detroit Lions players Buffalo Bills players