 Maragos with theSeahawks in 2013 | |||||||||||
| No. 40, 42 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | (1987-01-06)January 6, 1987 (age 38) Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Horlick (Racine, Wisconsin) | ||||||||||
| College: | Wisconsin Western Michigan | ||||||||||
| Undrafted: | 2010 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Chris Maragos (born January 6, 1987) is an American former professionalfootballsafety andspecial teamer. He was signed by theSan Francisco 49ers as anundrafted free agent in 2010. He also played for theSeattle Seahawks andPhiladelphia Eagles. He playedcollege football atWestern Michigan before transferring toWisconsin.
Maragos was afootball and track star for three years atPark High School inRacine, Wisconsin. During his junior year in 2003, he started at wide receiver for Park's varsity team. After securing a playoff berth, Park was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by eventual state championship runner-up Arrowhead. During the off-season, Park's longtime head coach retired, leading to a changing of the guard in the football program.
Citing philosophical differences with the new regime, Maragos transferred to Racine'sHorlick High School, which featured a pass-happy spread offense and emerging quarterback talent Justin Kammler. Maragos's first game as a Horlick Rebel was a road contest against his former school in August 2004. The rivalry game quickly became a lopsided affair, as Maragos dominated his former team with nine catches, 115 yards receiving, and a touchdown en route to a 29–6 victory.[1] According to Rebels coach George Machado, Maragos was heaped with verbal abuse during the game but "he maintained himself with class."[2] Maragos continued his torrid stretch in the first four games of his senior season, recording 27 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns.
During this time, Machado called Maragos "one of the best [football players] to play here" and "a gentleman, [and] a good student, [who] comes from a strong family. He is a very strong positive influence on this football team."[2] His statistics and the Rebels' offensive production dipped when Kammler was sidelined with an injury. Maragos made a statement with his talent, being named Horlick Player of the Year and first-team All-Racine County, All-Southeast Conference, and All-Region.[3]
As he weighed his collegiate options, Maragos eventually chose to attendWestern Michigan, a school already home to futureNFLPro Bowl receiverGreg Jennings.
Maragosredshirted atWestern Michigan in 2005, where he played as awide receiver. Upon arrival at the school, the first player to introduce himself to Maragos was senior wide receiverGreg Jennings. He became somewhat of a mentor to Maragos, teaching him the intricacies of excelling as a collegiate wide receiver and giving him rides to church on Sundays.[4] Maragos was inspired by the star player's dedication to his craft, saying, "he would always be first in the meetings, front row, pen out, ready to learn, ready to do things."
After starting eight games at wide receiver for Western Michigan during the 2006 season, Maragos transferred toWisconsin and sat out a year (due to NCAA transfer rules) before resuming play in 2008. During this time, he was converted to defense, where he became a standout free safety. In two years with the Badgers he recorded five interceptions and 94 tackles. Maragos had six passes defensed in his 2009 senior season, including one that helped end a comeback attempt by Northern Illinois and secure a 28-20 Badger victory. He was also Wisconsin's placekicking holder for extra points and field goals. During a 2009 road game against Ohio State, he scored a touchdown at that position on a fake field goal attempt.[5]
Maragos was undrafted in the2010 NFL draft. He signed with theSan Francisco 49ers on April 26, 2010.
Maragos entered 2010 training camp for a 49ers club trying to build on a promising 2009 campaign. On August 22, he appeared in a nationally televised game against theMinnesota Vikings on NBC'sSunday Night Football. The program achieved the highest ratings for a Week Two preseason game in seven years, as it featured the heavily publicized return ofBrett Favre for a 20th and final NFL season.[6]
Despite a training camp performance that garnered favorable reviews from local beat reporters, Maragos was released by the 49ers on September 3. On September 5, Maragos was added to the 49ers'practice squad, where he spent the first part of the 2010 season. On October 18, Maragos was added to the 49ers' active roster for a game inCharlotte against theCarolina Panthers, though he did not play in the contest. The following week, on October 28, Maragos and the team flew across the world toLondon for a game against theDenver Broncos. Upon arrival, Maragos was informed that he had been released from the 49ers. The rare timing of the release gained widespread attention whenESPN reporterAdam Schefter tweeted about the oddity. Maragos was signed to the practice squad and able to remain with the team in London, instead of being forced to fly back home immediately.[7]
He again joined the San Francisco active roster on November 30, and made his NFL playing debut atLambeau Field on December 5, facing the team from his home state, theGreen Bay Packers. During that game he recorded his first NFL career tackle against the eventualSuper Bowl XLV champions.
After the 2010 season, the 49ers fired head coachMike Singletary and replaced him with Stanford head coachJim Harbaugh. The coaching shakeup led to an influx of new safeties, which resulted in greater competition for a roster spot. Consequently, Maragos saw his tenure with the 49ers come to end as he was released on September 3, 2011.[8]
Maragos was signed to theSeattle Seahawks' practice squad on September 22, 2011. Seattle was rebuilding its roster, and head coachPete Carroll and general managerJohn Schneider were impressed with Maragos's apparent work ethic and character. The Seahawks promoted him to the active roster on October 22. After a rough start to the 2011 season, Seattle finished the year with a 7–9 record. In 2012, the Seahawks became a legitimateSuper Bowl contender, going 11-5 and winning a road playoff game against theWashington Redskins. During his stint with the Seahawks, Maragos was routinely awarded the team honor for "Special Teams Player of the Week."
On April 11, 2013, Maragos signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks for $1.32 million.[9] After reaching the agreement, Maragos expressed gratitude to the franchise. "It's phenomenal. Just to be in a position like this is humbling and I'm truly fortunate to be a part of such a great organization. To continue my career as a Seahawk, I couldn't be any happier." On September 6, 2013, Maragos accepted a pay cut to $855,000 to remain a Seahawk.
In 2013, the Seahawks secured the top playoff seed in the NFC with a conference-best 13–3 record. After a bye week, Seattle defeated theNew Orleans Saints in the playoffs. The Seahawks then beat the San Francisco 49ers in theNFC Championship Game to advance toSuper Bowl XLVIII. On February 2, 2014, Maragos and the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos 43–8 in the third-most lopsided Super Bowl in history. It was the most-watched program in the history of American television.
On March 12, 2014, Maragos signed a three-year, $4 million contract with thePhiladelphia Eagles.[10] On December 6, 2015, his blocked punt was returned for a touchdown in Philadelphia's 35–28 win over theNew England Patriots.[11]
On November 17, 2016, Maragos signed a three-year, $6 million contract extension with $2.45 million guaranteed through the 2019 season.[12]
On October 19, 2017, Maragos was placed on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in Week 6 against theCarolina Panthers.[13] It would be the final game of his career. Without Maragos, the Eagles went on to winSuper Bowl LII against theNew England Patriots 41–33, earning Maragos his second Super Bowl ring.[14]
Maragos was placed on thephysically unable to perform list to start the 2018 season while recovering from the knee injury.[15]
On February 22, 2019, Maragos was released by the Eagles.[16]
On July 16, 2019, Maragos announced his retirement from the NFL.[17]
In February 2023, Maragos was awarded $43.5 million in damages after he filed a negligence suit against doctors responsible for treating his 2017 injury.[18]
Maragos is anAmerican of Greek descent.[19]
Maragos' brother Troy is an Assistant Pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, in Washington D.C.[20]
Maragos married Serah (née West) on April 9, 2010.[21] They are parents to three children, Micah (born 2011) Mason (born 2014) and Cambria.[22]
