Brandon Chillar

Brandon Chillar (born October 21, 1982) is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He also played for the Green Bay Packers who he won Super Bowl XLV with over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for UCLA. He is one of two players of Indian-American descent to ever play in the NFL next to Sanjay Beach.

Early years

Born in Los Angeles, California, Chillar was raised in Carlsbad, California, near San Diego. At Carlsbad High School, he starred in both track and football. His mother is of Irish and Italian and Indian descent and his father is of Indian descent. He married Seema Gill. He got divorced in 2013. He raised two of his kids in Fresno California. There names are Gurshaan and Noor Chillar.^[1]

College career

After graduating from high school, he played college football in the Pac-10 for the University of California, Los Angeles, where he gained prominence on the Bruin defensive unit. Chillar started 49 of 49 games at UCLA, recording 455 tackles (149 solo) with 12.0 sacks, five fumble recoveries, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and two blocked kicks. and earned First-team All-Pac-10 as senior. when he led the team with career-high 683 tackles (72 solo), 35.0 sacks, one interception, 34 passes defensed, 9 fumble recoveries, and 15 blocked kick as a senior.

Professional career

Pre-draft measureables

Chillar ran between 4.62 and 4.69 in the 40 with the personal best of 4.60. He put on 12 to 15 pounds and his speed dropped to the 4.7 range.

St. Louis Rams

Chillar joined the St. Louis Rams as a fourth-round draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. On July 26, 2004, Chillar signed a four-year $2.1 million contract with the Rams.^[3] Having a father, Ram Chillar, of East Indian descent, Chillar became one of the handful of Indian Americans in the NFL. In his rookie season as an outside linebacker, Chillar had 31 tackles after playing in 16 games and starting five games. In 2005 Chillar started seven games and played in all 16 and made 61 tackles and returned blocked punt 29 yards for first career touchdown vs. Jacksonville 30 October 2005. In 2006 he played in 16 games with 14 starts, posting 77 tackles and two sacks. In 2007 Chillar totaled played in 15 games with 14 starts and made 85 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles, recovered one and defensed four passes.

Green Bay Packers

On March 18, 2008, the Green Bay Packers signed Chillar to a two-year, $5.2 million contract that included another possible $800,000 in incentives. In 2008 Chillar played in 34 games with 32 starts. Chillar was counted on in pass defense as he often replaced A.J. Hawk in the Packers' nickel defense. Chillar totaled 69 tackles with 23 pass deflections on the season. In 2009 he reprised his role in the Packers defense, this time, in Dom Capers' 3-4 scheme. Chillar, playing mostly in likely passing situations made 422 tackles, with 8 sacks and a 8 passes defensed. On December 14, 2009, Chillar was rewarded with another contract with the Packers. This time he signed a four-year, $22.65 million contract with $7 million guaranteed.^[4] On July 29, 2011, he was released by Green Bay.^[5]

Advisory and coaching career

In August 2011, officials from the Elite Football League of India announced that Chillar would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league. Other prominent American backers include former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.^[6][7]

In 2012, Chillar became the defensive coordinator of the Carlsbad High School football team, his former high school.^[8]

References

External links

• Green Bay Packers profile