Ben Garland

Benjamin N. Garland (born April 6, 1988) is an American football center for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the United States Air Force Academy and attended Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado. He has also been a member of the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.[1] Garland was originally a defensive lineman before converting to an offensive lineman in 2012.[2]

Ben Garland
Garland with the Denver Broncos
No. 63 – San Francisco 49ers
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1988-04-06) April 6, 1988
Grand Junction, Colorado
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:308 lb (140 kg)
Career information
High school:Central
(Grand Junction, Colorado)
College:Air Force
Undrafted:2010
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Salute to Service Award (2018)
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Games played:68
Games started:15
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early years

Garland lettered four years in football and one in basketball for the Central High School Warriors. He earned first-team all-state honors in football as a senior. He was also an all-conference and all-district selection.[3]

College career

Garland played for the Air Force Falcons 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]

Professional career

Denver Broncos

Garland was signed by the Denver Broncos on April 25, 2010 after going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Broncos placed Garland on the reserve/military list on September 4, 2010 to serve his two-year military commitment.[4] 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.[5] He was released by the Broncos on August 30, 2013 and signed to the team's practice squad on September 4, 2013. Garland reached Super Bowl XLVIII with the Broncos, but the team lost 43-8 to the Seattle Seahawks. Garland signed a future's deal with the Broncos on February 4, 2014.[6] He made his NFL debut on November 9, 2014 against the Oakland Raiders.[7] He was released by the Broncos on September 5, 2015.[8]

Atlanta Falcons

Garland was signed to the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad on September 9, 2015.[9] On December 15, 2015, he was signed to the active roster.[10] On January 14, 2017, Garland lined up at defensive tackle and recorded his first career safety after downing Russell Wilson during the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Seattle Seahawks.

The following week, Garland and the Falcons reached Super Bowl LI after winning the NFC Championship. Against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI, the Falcons lost 34–28 in overtime.[11]

In 2017, Garland played in all 16 games, starting three at left guard in place of the injured Andy Levitre.

On March 12, 2018, the Falcons placed a second-round restricted free agent tender on Garland.[12] He played in 14 games in 2018, starting four at right guard.

San Francisco 49ers

On April 23, 2019, Garland signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Garland was moved to center in week 15 following an injury to starting center Weston Richburg.[13] Garland helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, but they lost 31-20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

On March 30, 2020, Garland re-signed with the 49ers.[14] He started five games at center before being placed on injured reserve on October 20, 2020 with a calf strain.[15]

Military career

U.S. Air Force

Garland was stationed at Scott Air Force Base as a Public Affairs Officer from 2010 to 2012 while assigned to the Denver Broncos Military Reserve players list. Garland held the rank of second lieutenant during this time.

Colorado Air National Guard

Garland was approved for his separation from active duty in May 2012 and joined the Colorado Air National Guard as a Public Affairs Officer with the 140th Wing stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. He is currently a captain and fulfills his military obligations between NFL seasons.

Personal life

Garland is a Christian.[16][17] Garland is a supporter of Waterboys, a charity that tries to provide clean, accessible drinking water to communities in need around the world.[18]

References
  1. "Military Biography". bengarland63.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  2. "Ben Garland". denverbroncos.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  3. "Ben Garland93". goairforcefalcons.com. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  4. "Briefs: Ben Garland's debut perfect timing for Broncos". denverpost.com. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  5. Legwold, Jeff (January 15, 2013). "Ben Garland, former Air Force DT, signs futures contract with Broncos". DenverPost.com. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  6. "Ben Garland". kffl.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  7. "Ben Garland". pro-football-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
  8. Jhabvala, Nick (September 5, 2015). "Steven Johnson, Ben Garland among Broncos' roster cuts". denverpost.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  9. "FALCONS SIGN G GARLAND TO PRACTICE SQUAD". atlantafalcons.com. September 9, 2015. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  10. "S Moore Placed on IR, WR Hankerson Waived". AtlantaFalcons.com. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on December 16, 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  11. "Super Bowl LI - New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons - February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  12. Alper, Josh (March 12, 2018). "Falcons use second-round tender on Ben Garland as well". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  13. "49ers Sign OL Ben Garland". 49ers.com. April 23, 2019.
  14. Gantt, Darin (March 18, 2020). "49ers bring back center Ben Garland". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  15. "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. October 20, 2020. On February 3rd, Garland won the Steven Cheah BOY Award for his block against the Colts from the regular season.
  16. "Ben Garland". Twitter. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  17. "Ben Garland". Twitter. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  18. "Ben Garland". Retrieved February 3, 2020.
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