NFL TE Jimmy Graham to Take Part in 621-Mile Arctic Ocean Rowing Expedition

Five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham hasn't retired from the NFL, but he's keeping himself busy if the opportunity to play football doesn't come around.

Graham told ESPN's Katherine Terrell he is joining three others on a 621-mile rowing expedition to the Arctic Ocean in the summer of 2025.

"We're chasing world records and we're chasing them with a purpose," Graham said. "So there's a lot that is on the line. When you're doing something like this, you've just got to embrace it and just fight through it."

According to Terrell, Graham will be making the journey with retired Navy SEAL Andrew Tropp and the husband-and-wife rowing team of John and Hannah Huppi.

Graham explained to Terrell that Hannah initiated the idea of the expedition by sending him a message on Instagram prior to the New Orleans Saints' game against the New York Giants on Dec. 17.

According to Graham's recollection, the message asked if he "ever thought about rowing across the ocean" after Huppi heard he wanted to sail around the world.

Per The Arctic Challenge website, teams will begin their journey in Tromsø, Norway. They will row across the open Arctic Ocean, with the goal of eventually landing in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

The event will begin on July 31, 2025, and the trip could take anywhere from 10-20 days to complete. Terrell noted Graham's team is attempting to raise money for New Orleans-based charities Covenant House and Laureus Sport For Good USA.

Graham told Terrell in June that he hasn't made a decision about officially retiring, and he would "reach out to the Saints and figure out what's best" before making any final decisions.

The Saints signed Graham to a one-year deal in July 2023 after he sat out the 2022 season. He played sparingly but caught four touchdowns among his six total receptions in 13 games.