The Patriots Have a New WR With Experience in Nursing and Grass Dancing, and He Might Be the Most Interesting Man in the NFL
One of the facets of the Patriots of the Dynasty era was the way in which they'd go way outside the normal means of scouting and acquiring players. From signing Stephen Neal out of Cal State-Bakersfield after he only ever competed in anything but Wrestling (and was the only man to ever defeat Brock Lesnar), and launching him on a career as a guard that spanned nine seasons. Drafting career special teamers like Matthew Slater and long snapper Joe Cardona (still active duty in the US Navy) in the 5th round. Drafting or signing European players like RT Sebastian Vollmer (U. of Houston), punter Zoltan Mesko (Michigan), G Hjalte Froholdt (Arkansas) and FB Jakob Johnson. More recently, they've added my 2025 Camp Crush Lan Larison, the former Rodeo champion.
So it should come as no surprise that the same franchise would add a nurse with a talent for Lumbee grass dancing to their practice squad.
I'll let this article explain:
Source - Who is Chandler Brayboy?
On the surface, he's the 25-year-old wide receiver that the New England Patriots just signed to their practice squad. He's one of three receivers currently on the practice squad, and one of eight suiting up for practices ahead of Week 3. …
Brayboy's background is unlike anyone's in New England's locker room. But it's one that helps you learn a little bit more about who the newest Patriots pass catcher truly is.
Born in Pembroke, North Carolina in 2001, Brayboy liked to grass dance. It's a ritual where you try to mimic the motion of grass, and don long colorful strands cloth. That was his early way to feel connected with the Lumbee Tribe.
The Lumbee Tribe — the People of the Dark Water — is a group 55,000 people strong in southeastern North Carolina. They make up the Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland and Scotland counties, and were recognized as a tribal nation by the state in 1885. It wasn't until 1956 that they were recognized as an Indian Tribe by Congress. …
The Lumbee Tribe was officially recognized as the 575th tribe in the United States [in 2025] — "a blessing," the receiver called it. …
This is how Brayboy grew up, who's surname is a rough translation of "Brave Boy." …
But it wasn't just the football radar that he had gotten on.
"The nursing program at Elon basically recruited me," Brayboy said.
Brayboy originally wanted to be a physicians assistant, but because of the demanding schedules of both football and being a PA, that wasn't in the cards. The next best thing? Nursing.
"The athletic academic staff at Elon worked together with the nursing program," Brayboy said. "I had an exercise science degree, and if football didn't work out, I didn't know where I was going to go. …
He ended his Elon career with 165 receptions, 2,660 receiving yards, 19 receiving touchdowns, two kick return touchdown and an First Team FCS All-American nod. He also passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) during his time in school.
So there you have it. Your typical path to an NFL roster. You grow up throwing on long colorful strands of cloth to mimic the swaying of grass as part of a ritual dance for America's 575th officially recognized tribe. With the very Avatar-like name The People of the Dark Water, no less. You go to Elon. Get recruited by the nursing program. Tear up the Coastal Athletic Association. Become a licensed RN. Get signed by the Jaguars for training camp. And end up on the 21st century's greatest sports Dynasty.
A tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme.
Needless to say, I hope the Patriots depth at wide receiver doesn't get tested any more than it already has with AJ Brown missing a month-plus. But if Chandler Brayboy here could somehow develop into a player worthy of finding a spot on the 53-man roster, he would, by default, become one of the most fascinating personal stories in franchise history. Not to mention be able to pull double duty dealing with injuries on the sideline. And while I'm not entirely sure what the purpose of the grass dance ceremony is, I imagine it would would make for the perfect end zone celebration. Or could maybe be modified into a Field Turf dance. Regardless, I'm hoping he does get his shot some day in the near future. Anybody with a last name that translates to Brave Boy can be on my football team any time.