.JPG) Garland with theDenver Broncos in 2013 | |||||||
| No. 63 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Center | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | (1988-04-06)April 6, 1988 (age 37) Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 304 lb (138 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Central(Grand Junction) | ||||||
| College | Air Force (2006–2009) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 2010: undrafted | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
| |||||||
Benjamin N. Garland (born April 6, 1988) is an American former professionalfootball player who was acenter in theNational Football League (NFL) for theDenver Broncos,Atlanta Falcons, andSan Francisco 49ers. He playedcollege football for theAir Force Falcons.[1] Garland was originally adefensive lineman before converting to an offensive lineman in 2012.[2]
Garlandlettered four years in football and one in basketball for theCentral High School Warriors ofGrand Junction, Colorado. He earned first-team all-state honors in football as a senior. He was also an all-conference and all-district selection.[3]
Garland attended theUnited States Air Force Academy and played for theFalcons from 2006 to 2009. He totaled 115 tackles, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks in 39 career games, starting 34 of them.[2]
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft5+1⁄8 in (1.96 m) | 288 lb (131 kg) | 5.07 s | 1.76 s | 2.89 s | 4.47 s | 7.14 s | 35.0 in (0.89 m) | 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) | 18 reps | |||
| All values fromPro Day[4] | ||||||||||||
Garland was signed by theDenver Broncos on April 25, 2010, after going undrafted in the2010 NFL draft. The Broncos placed Garland on the reserve/military list on September 4, 2010, to serve his two-year military commitment.[5] He was released by the Broncos on August 31, 2012. He was signed to the Broncos' practice squad on September 1, 2012.
Garland signed a futures contract on January 15, 2013.[6] He was released by the Broncos on August 30, 2013, and signed to the team's practice squad on September 4, 2013. Garland reachedSuper Bowl XLVIII with the Broncos, but the team lost 43–8 to the Seattle Seahawks. Garland signed a futures deal with the Broncos on February 4, 2014.[7] He made his NFL debut on November 9, 2014, against theOakland Raiders.[8] He was released by the Broncos on September 5, 2015.[9]
Garland was signed to theAtlanta Falcons' practice squad on September 9, 2015.[10] On December 15, 2015, he was signed to the active roster.[11] On January 14, 2017, Garland lined up at defensive tackle and recorded his first career safety after downingRussell Wilson during the NFC Divisional Playoff against theSeattle Seahawks.
The following week, Garland and the Falcons reachedSuper Bowl LI after winning the NFC Championship. Against theNew England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, the Falcons lost 34–28 in overtime.[12]
In 2017, Garland played in all 16 games, starting three at left guard in place of the injuredAndy Levitre.[13]
On March 12, 2018, the Falcons placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Garland.[14] He played in 14 games in 2018, starting four at right guard.
On April 23, 2019, Garland signed with theSan Francisco 49ers. Garland was moved to center in week 15 following an injury to starting centerWeston Richburg.[15] Garland helped the 49ers reachSuper Bowl LIV, but they lost 31–20 to theKansas City Chiefs.
On March 30, 2020, Garland re-signed with the 49ers.[16] He started five games at center before being placed on injured reserve on October 20, 2020, with a calf strain.[17]
Garland was stationed atScott Air Force Base as aPublic Affairs Officer from 2010 to 2012 while assigned to the Denver Broncos Military Reserve players list. Garland held the rank ofsecond lieutenant during this time.
Garland was approved for his separation from active duty in May 2012 and joined theColorado Air National Guard as a Public Affairs Officer with the 140th Wing stationed atBuckley Air Force Base inAurora, Colorado. He is currently aMajor and fulfills his military obligations between NFL seasons.
Garland is aChristian.[18][19] Garland is a supporter of Waterboys, a charity that tries to provide clean, accessible drinking water to communities in need around the world.[20]
