RETROBEAST: CHARLES GRANT

Another week, another BEAST of the vintage variety. In this installment of RETROBEAST we have chosen to spotlight the DAWG that most stands out in the memory of Wifey as a player that intimidated the opponent and dominated the game from the time he stepped off the bus.

RETROBEAST: CHARLES GRANT, #19, Defensive end (1999-2001)

Charles Grant was a prized recruit of former UGA head coach Jim Donnan. He was the type of player whose reputation routinely preceded him to the point of reaching nearly legendary status before playing a down for the Georgia Bulldogs. Grant is a native Georgian from Colquitt and cousin of former Georgia Bulldog Phillip Daniels that played his high school football at Miller County High where he was a star two-way player. Big number 19 had a one-year layover at Hargrave Military Academy in 1998 before finally making his way to Athens in 1999. Grant was a 1997 Parade Magazine All-America for Miller County, a season in which he tied running back Herschel Walker’s state single-season touchdown record with 45 while racking up 3,472 all-purpose yards. During his three year career at Miller County High School, the future Georgia defensive end totaled 101 touchdowns.

Not sure a 6 foot 3 inch, 285 pound man could possibly be nimble or fast enough to be responsible for a touchdown total such as that?? Well, fear not Reader. I can provide you with video evidence. Just watch as a Grant rumbles 90-plus yards for the touchdown as a senior for the Pirates.



Once he arrived in Athens in 1999, the biggest question seemed to be exactly how huge the impact was going to be for this talented DAWG. Grant played both offense and defense as a freshman at Georgia recording 33 tackles and seven sacks, while also seeing time in offensive backfield rushing for 79 yards and three touchdowns. Grant went on to be a three-year letterman and a two-year starter at the University of Georgia. After totaling 63 tackles and six sacks as a junior, this multi-skilled player ended his collegiate career with 136 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 15 sacks, which ranks sixth on the school’s all-time list. Grant rounded out his final season in Athens by being named 2nd team All-SEC by both the AP and the Coaches.



Grant was taken with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft. From the Saints official website:

A cornerstone of the Saints defense since his arrival, Grant has consistently been a force as a pass rusher and against the run. He anchors the left side of the defensive line and ranks 10th in club history with 41.5 sacks. The former first round pick out of Georgia has started 90 games since joining the Saints in 2002, more than any other player over that span. His 2008 season was derailed after eight games with a triceps injury, landing Grant on injured reserve for the first time in his career. He was off to a strong start, including notching 41 tackles, posting his first multi-sack game since 2004 and teaming with DT Sedrick Ellis for a safety. Combining with Will Smith to give the Saints one of the top defensive end tandems in the league, in his career Grant has posted 452 tackles, 13 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries – including one in 2002 that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown – and an interception. No player in club history has posted more sacks in his first three years than the 27.5 that Grant had from 2002-04.

You can check out the rest of Grant’s official bio HERE.

P.S. – Grant is one former Georgia player that still bleeds red and black. Prior to the start of this football season, big Charles showed everyone why he is still a Damn Good Dawg!