Brandon Roberts (born in

Akron, Ohio Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County, Ohio, Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 C ...

) is a former American football player.

Early life

Roberts is the youngest son of Jerry and Constance Roberts and younger brother of Brian. He attended

Akron Public Schools Akron Public Schools is a school district serving students in Akron, Ohio, United States, and nearby communities. It is located in the northeastern part of Ohio, less than south of Cleveland and north of Canton. The district encompasses and ...

until he entered high school. Because of his academic achievements, he was selected to attend

Western Reserve Academy , motto_translation = Light and Truth , address = 115 College Street , city = Hudson , state = Ohio , zipcode = 44236-2999 , country = United S ...

Hudson, Ohio Hudson is a city in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 23,110 at the 2020 census. It is a suburban community in the Akron metropolitan statistical area and the larger Cleveland–Akron–Canton Combined Statistical Area, th ...

. Roberts transferred to

Archbishop Hoban High School Archbishop Hoban High School is a Catholic college-preparatory school in Akron, Ohio. It is sponsored by the Catholic religious order Brothers of Holy Cross. History In the early 1950s, Archbishop Edward F. Hoban invited the Brothers of Holy Cros ...

for his junior and senior years, where he graduated in 1999.

College career

Roberts attended

Washington University in St. Louis Washington University in St. Louis (WashU or WUSTL) is a private research university with its main campus in St. Louis County, and Clayton, Missouri. Founded in 1853, the university is named after George Washington. Washington University is r ...

as a member of the university's John B. Ervin Scholars Program and a recipient of the School of Engineering's Stanley C. Pace Endowed Scholarship. One of the most well-balanced scholar-athletes in NCAA Division III history, Roberts earned high honors in working towards a degree in biomedical engineering, while establishing himself as one of the nation's elite linebackers. A regular dean's list selection, Roberts also earned Verizon Academic All-America honors in each of his sophomore through senior seasons. Throughout his college career, Roberts accumulated accolades including the Washington University 2003 Gwendolyn Drew Award for superior academic standing and contributing positively to varsity athletics, the 2002 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Postgraduate Scholarship Finalist Award, and the Washington University 2003 Ethan A.H Shepley Award for leadership, scholarship, and service to the campus community. As a two-time All-Conference (UAA) First Team selection, Roberts played on a defense that ranked in the top 20 nationally in each of his last three seasons. Through six games in his senior season in 2002, Roberts led the UAA conference with 68 tackles, ranking him 19th in the nation, before suffering a season and career ending knee injury prior to beginning conference play. With 338 career tackles and 12.5 sacks, he ranks among the greatest defensive players ever to play for Washington University. He was inducted into the

Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. In December 2002, Roberts' athletic and academic careers were highlighted when he was selected as the winner of the

National Football Foundation The National Football Foundation (NFF) is a non-profit organization to promote and develop amateur American football on all levels throughout the United States and "developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the dr ...

’s Vincent DePaul Draddy Trophy (renamed the

William V. Campbell Trophy The William V. Campbell, formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, is awarded by the National Football Foundation to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. It i ...

in 2009). Often referred to as the "Academic Heisman," the award is given to the nation's top scholar-athlete and awards a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Roberts is the first and only non-Division I player to receive the award. The Campbell Trophy has become one of college football's most sought and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary community leadership. The award comes with a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy, which is prominently displayed in an exhibit at the New York Athletic Club's Hall of Fame.

Life after football

Although Roberts was accepted into medical school as a senior in college, he was allowed to defer his admission for a year in order to serve as an academic coach with the

’s Play it Smart Program. Roberts worked as an academic mentor and counselor for student athletes at

Vashon High School Vashon High School is a high school of the St. Louis Public Schools in St. Louis, Missouri. When it opened in 1927, it was the second high school for black students in St. Louis. History Designed by Rockwell M. Milligan, the school opened on Sep ...

where he conducted tutoring sessions, study halls, and ACT preparation classes, and also organized community service events. He also volunteered as a defensive assistant for the Vashon High School junior varsity and varsity football teams, and he helped the varsity team reach and win their first state playoff game in school history. Roberts subsequently returned to his home state of

Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...

for medical school at

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Case Western Reserve School of Medicine (CWRU SOM, CaseMed) is the medical school of Case Western Reserve University, a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the largest biomedical research center in Ohio. History On November 1 ...

. In 2008, he was awarded the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine’s Dean’s Award, recognizing a member of the graduating class who exemplifies outstanding service and dedication to his classmates in assisting in the achievement of their educational goals. After graduation in 2008, Roberts returned to St. Louis’

Washington University School of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) is the medical school of Washington University in St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1891, the School of Medicine has 1,260 students, 604 of which are pursuing a medical degree with or ...

for his residency/fellowship at

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Barnes-Jewish Hospital is the largest hospital in the U.S. state of Missouri. Located in the Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, it is the adult teaching hospital for the Washington University School of Medicine and a major component of ...

/ St. Louis Children's Hospital. He is a pediatric anesthesiologist and lives in

Akron, OH Akron () is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Summit County. It is located on the western edge of the Glaciated Allegheny Plateau, about south of downtown Cleveland. As of the 2020 Census, the city prop ...

with his wife and children.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Brandon 1981 births Living people William V. Campbell Trophy winners Players of American football from Akron, Ohio Washington University Bears football players Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine alumni Washington University School of Medicine people