Kameron Darnel Chancellor (born April 3, 1988), nicknamed "Bam Bam Kam",^[1] is an American former professionalfootballsafety who spent his entire nine-year career with theSeattle Seahawks of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theVirginia Tech Hokies prior to being selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the2010 NFL draft. A four-timePro Bowler, he was one of the key members of theirLegion of Boom secondary. He also helped lead the Seahawks to victory inSuper Bowl XLVIII. Chancellor retired following complications from a neck injury he suffered in 2017.

Kam Chancellor

Chancellor in 2013
No. 31
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1988-04-03)April 3, 1988 (age 37) Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	Maury (Norfolk)
College:	Virginia Tech (2006–2009)
NFL draft:	2010: 5th round, 133rd pick
Career history
Seattle Seahawks (2010–2018)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVIII) 2× Second-teamAll-Pro (2013,2014) 4×Pro Bowl (2011,2013–2015) Second-team All-ACC (2009)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 607 Sacks: 2.0 Forced fumbles: 9 Fumble recoveries: 3 Interceptions: 12 Stats atPro Football Reference

Chancellor was born inNorfolk, Virginia on April 3, 1988.^[2] He attendedMatthew Fontaine Maury High School where he playedbasketball andfootball as aquarterback andsafety for the Commodores athletic teams. As a senior in 2005, he recorded more than 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards and led his team to a 10–2 record and an appearance in theGroup AAA Division 5 playoffs. Chancellor was named the team'smost valuable player, and he was also placed on the All-Eastern District first-team as well asThe Virginian-Pilot All-Tidewater second-team.Rivals.com assessed him as the 27th-ranked pro-style quarterback prospect in the nation and the 20th-ranked player in the state ofVirginia. SuperPrep andThe Roanoke Times rated him the 21st-ranked player in the state.^[3] The 247Sports recruiting site assessed Chancellor as a three-star recruit and he accepted ascholarship offer fromVirginia Tech.^[4]

Chancellor enrolled at Virginia Tech in 2006 to study human development. He worked out as a quarterback before eventually being moved to thecornerback position prior to the start of theseason. He saw action that year as a true freshman in all 13 games, and recorded ninetackles, two broken up passes, and oneinterception.^[5]

In2007, he was moved to therover position as thestarter and also played onspecial teams. He started in all 14 games and recorded 79 tackles, seven broken-up passes, three quarterback hurries, and one interception as a sophomore.^[6]

Before the2008 season, Chancellor was moved to thefree safety position, his third position change in three of four years at Virginia Tech.^[7] Chancellor started in all 14 games and recorded 52 tackles, of which 27 were solo, two interceptions, five broken-up passes, seven pass deflections, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.^[8] After the season, he considered entering the2009 NFL draft a year early, but decided to remain at Virginia Tech for his senior season.^[9]

Before his senior season in 2009, Hokies'defensive backs coach,Torrian Gray said that Chancellor could be "the greatest safety in Virginia Tech history.^[10] In his senior season, Chancellor recorded two interceptions, one fumble return, 68 total tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and four broken-up passes.^[11] Chancellor has said that he attempts to emulate the lateWashington Redskins safetySean Taylor, and said, "[He was a] big safety, the prototype guy for the position. I'm a big safety, too, and I've just always wanted to be just like him. I don't necessarily say I can be Sean Taylor before it's over, but I think I can be just as good."^[12] Also, before games and when he needs motivation, Chancellor says he watched the highlights of Sean Taylor onYouTube. He says it motivated him to do better, strive for greater things, and took him to a darker place which makes him play better.^[13] TheCBS Sports-affiliated NFL Draft Scout considered Chancellor the third-ranked of the 126 free safeties available for the2010 NFL draft and projected him as a third-round selection.^[14]

Chancellor was elected to the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.^[15]

TheSeattle Seahawks selected Chancellor in the fifth round as the 133rd overall pick in the2010 NFL draft. He was the second safety the Seahawks drafted in 2010, behind first round pickEarl Thomas, and was the ninth safety selected overall.^[18]

On June 2, 2010, the Seattle Seahawks signed Chancellor to a four-year,$2 millioncontract that included asigning bonus of $213,000.^[19][20]

Throughout training camp, he competed for a job at strong safety againstLawyer Milloy,Kevin Ellison, andJordan Babineaux.^[21] Head coachPete Carroll named Chancellor the third strong safety on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind veterans Milloy and Babineaux.^[22]

He made his professional regular season debut in theSeattle Seahawks' season-opening 31–6 victory against theSan Francisco 49ers. On September 26, 2010, Chancellor recorded his first career tackle onDarren Sproles after Sproles returned a kickoff for 22 yards. Chancellor forced a fumble that was recovered byDexter Davis. He finished their 27–20 victory with two solo tackles and one forced fumble.^[23] On October 31, 2010, Chancellor recorded two solo tackles and sacked quarterbackJason Campbell in the Seahawks' 33–3 loss at theOakland Raiders. The following week, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles (five solo) in a 41–7 loss to theNew York Giants.^[24] He finished his rookie season with 23 combined tackles (17 solo), a pass deflection, a sack, and a forced fumble in 16 games and no starts.^[25]

Chancellor entered training camp slated as the starting strong safety after the Seahawks opted to not re-sign Lawyer Milloy. Defensive coordinatorGus Bradley officially named him the starting strong safety, alongside free safetyEarl Thomas.^[26]

He started theSeattle Seahawks' season-opener at theSan Francisco 49ers and recorded a season-high ten solo tackles in their 33–17 loss.^[27] On September 25, 2011, Chancellor collected five combined tackles, two pass deflections, and made his first career interception off a pass attempt by quarterbackKevin Kolb during their 13–10 victory against theArizona Cardinals.^[28] He missed the following game (Week 4), after sustaining aquadriceps injury.^[29] On December 24, 2011, Chancellor tied his season-high of ten solo tackles during a 19–17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.^[30] He finished his first season as a starter with 97 combined tackles (75 solo), a career-high 13 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 15 starts.^[31] Chancellor ranked second for the Seahawks in both tackles and interceptions.^[32] On January 25, 2012, it was announced that Chancellor was added to the2012 Pro Bowl roster as a replacement forDashon Goldson of theSan Francisco 49ers.^[33]

Defensive coordinatorGus Bradley retained Chancellor and Thomas as the starting safeties to start the 2012 regular season. On October 14, 2012, he recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 24–23 victory against theNew England Patriots.^[34] In Week 11, Chancellor tied his season-high with 11 combined tackles (eight solo) in the Seahawks' 28–24 loss at theDetroit Lions.^[35] He finished his third season with a career-high 101 combined tackles (75 solo) and four pass deflections in 16 games and 16 starts.^[36]

On April 22, 2013, the Seattle Seahawks signed Chancellor to a four-year, $28 million contract that included $17 million guaranteed and a $5 million signing bonus.^[19][37]

New defensive coordinatorDan Quinn retained Chancellor and Thomas as the starting safeties to begin the regular season.^[38] In Week 2, Chancellor recorded five combined tackles, broke up a pass, and intercepted a pass byColin Kaepernick during the Seahawks' 29–3 victory against theSan Francisco 49ers. On December 22, 2013, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo), two pass deflections, and an interception as they lost 17–10 to theArizona Cardinals. He finished the2013 season with 99 combined tackles (65 solo), six pass, and three interceptions in 16 games and 16 starts.^[39] He was named to his second Pro Bowl.^[40]

TheSeattle Seahawks finished the season atop theNFC West with a 13–3 record and clinched a playoff berth and a first round bye. On January 11, 2014, Chancellor started his first career playoff game and recorded 14 combined tackles (four solo) and two pass deflections during the Seahawks' 23–15 victory against theNew Orleans Saints in the NFCDivisional Round.^[41] The Seahawks defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23–17 in theNFC Championship and went on to Super Bowl XLVIII.^[42] On February 2, 2014, Chancellor made ten combined tackles (six solo), deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass by quarterbackPeyton Manning as the Seahawks wonSuper Bowl XLVIII 43–8 against theDenver Broncos.^[43] He was ranked 65th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2014.^[44]

Chancellor began the season being selected as a team captain by his teammates, along withRussell Wilson,Jon Ryan, andSteven Hauschka. He started theSeattle Seahawks' season-opener against theGreen Bay Packers and recorded a season-high 11 combined tackles (eight solo) during a 36–16 victory. On September 21, 2014, in a Super Bowl XLVIII rematch with theDenver Broncos, Chancellor recorded nine tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and two passes defended in a 26–20 victory, winning the NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award.^[45] Chancellor earned another NFC Defensive Player of the Week nomination for his Week 12 game against theArizona Cardinals.^[46][47] At the end of the regular season he was selected for thethird Pro Bowl of his career and voted in theSecond-team All-Pro by theAssociated Press.^[48]

In the Seahawks'Divisional Round game against theCarolina Panthers, Chancellor had a career game in which he recorded nine solo tackles, two assists, and an interception, which was returned 87 yards for a touchdown.^[49] It was his third straight postseason game with an interception. Chancellor also vaulted the Panthers' offensive line twice in attempt to block a field goal at the end of the half, though neither attempt counted due to penalties.^[50] In theNFC Championship against theGreen Bay Packers, Chancellor had four tackles in the 28–22 overtime victory.^[51] InSuper Bowl XLIX, Chancellor recorded 10 tackles as the Seahawks failed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. They fell to theNew England Patriots 28–24.^[52] He was ranked 41st by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2015.^[53]

One year into his five-year extension, Chancellor requested a new contract. As of September 14, 2015, there had been no new contract talks between Chancellor and the Seahawks. Chancellor missed the first two games of the2015 NFL season, a 31–34 overtime loss to theSt. Louis Rams and a 17–27 loss to theGreen Bay Packers.^[54][55] Chancellor returned to the 0–2 Seahawks in Week 3.^[56] The Seahawks went 10–4 since Chancellor's return. For his play in the 2015 season, he earned a trip to the2016 Pro Bowl.^[57]

In theWild Card Round of the postseason for the 2015 season, Chancellor would force a fourth quarter fumble of running backAdrian Peterson in a game against theMinnesota Vikings. The Seahawks would recover, and ultimately kick a field goal on the subsequent drive, giving the Seahawks a 10–9 lead, which would end up being the final score of the game afterBlair Walsh missed a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds.^[58] The Seahawks went on to lose in theDivisional Round to the eventual NFC ChampionCarolina Panthers by a score of 31–24.^[59] He was ranked 32nd by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2016.^[60]

Starting the 2016 season, Chancellor was named defensive team captain for the second time in his career, joining Russell Wilson, Jon Ryan, and cornerbackDeShawn Shead as the four Seahawk captains.^[61] Chancellor earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against theNew England Patriots.^[62][63]

In the 2016 season, Chancellor had 47 tackles and two interceptions.^[64] The Seahawks would return to the playoffs. In theWild Card Round victory against theDetroit Lions, Chancellor had six tackles.^[65] In theDivisional Round loss to theAtlanta Falcons, Chancellor had six tackles for the second consecutive playoff game.^[66] After the season, he was ranked 34th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2017.^[67]

On August 1, 2017, Chancellor signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension with $25 million guaranteed with the Seahawks.^[68] On November 18, it was revealed that Chancellor would miss the rest of the season after suffering a neck injury in Week 10.^[69] He was officially placed on injured reserve on December 16, 2017.^[70] Despite missing the final six games of the season due to that injury, Chancellor was named aPro Bowl alternate at safety.^[71] Had he been able to play in the game he would have received the honor. Despite only playing in nine games, he was still ranked 75th by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2018.^[72]

In a series of tweets on July 1, 2018, Chancellor said that the neck injury he had suffered in 2017 had not healed enough to allow him to return for the 2018 season. Although he never used the word "retirement," he strongly hinted that it was unlikely he would ever be medically cleared to play again. "To walk away from the game by choice is one thing," he tweeted. "To walk away from the game because of the risk of paralysis is another."^[73] Even before then, Carroll had said that Chancellor would have difficulty playing football again due to the severity of the injury.^[74] He was placed on the team'sphysically unable to perform list on July 26, 2018.^[75]

Chancellor remained on the Seahawks roster as his contract called for him to get $6.8 million of guaranteed money in 2018 and a $5.2 million injury guarantee in 2019; he could have potentially forfeited the money had he formally retired. Chancellor had the honor of raising the12th Man flag for theSeahawks 2018 home opener and later revealed that he hadspinal stenosis andbone spurs in his neck.^[76] On May 9, 2019, the Seahawks terminated Chancellor's contract after he had failed a physical.^[77]

Chancellor and his wife Tiffany have a son born in July 2019.^[78] As a child, Chancellor often visited theBoys and Girls club.^[79] Along with his wife, and under theMarc Nolan brand, Chancellor launched a line of luxury footwear called "the Chancellor Collection".^[80]

Chancellor's nephewKeAndre Lambert-Smith plays college football as a wide receiver for theAuburn Tigers.^[81]

• Career statistics fromESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
• Virginia Tech Hokies bio