Brian Waters

From undrafted free agent to six-time Pro Bowl guard and Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Brian Demond Waters, born February 18, 1977, is a former American football guard who spent most of his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at North Texas and went undrafted in 1999 before signing with the Dallas Cowboys. Waters also played for the New England Patriots and was selected to six Pro Bowls.

Growing up in Waxahachie, Texas, Waters attended Waxahachie High School, where he earned varsity letters in football. As a senior, he made All-District as both a tight end and defensive end, recording 16 catches for 380 yards on offense and adding five sacks and 66 tackles on defense.

At the University of North Texas, Waters played tight end for his first three seasons, totaling 86 receptions for 975 yards and nine touchdowns. As a senior, he switched to defensive end while also serving as a backup fullback and tight end, finishing with 45 tackles (32 solo) and five sacks.

After going undrafted in 1999, the Dallas Cowboys signed Waters as a tight end and fullback but released him during training camp. The Kansas City Chiefs picked him up in the 2000 offseason and sent him to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder to convert him to center.

Waters became a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler over 11 seasons with the Chiefs. In 2003, he helped the team to a 13-3 record. During a 2004 game against the Atlanta Falcons on October 24, the Chiefs set an NFL record with eight rushing touchdowns, and Waters was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week—the only offensive lineman in the AFC to receive the honor and the first NFL lineman to do so since 1992. He won the 2009 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his on-field and community contributions. Fellow players ranked him 67th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011. The Chiefs released him on July 28, 2011.

Waters signed with the New England Patriots on September 4, 2011, starting every game at right guard and earning a Pro Bowl starter nod. That season, he played in Super Bowl XLVI, his first playoff win. Before the 2012 season, Waters refused to report, stating he would only play for a team near his family in Texas. The Patriots released him on April 30, 2013.

The Dallas Cowboys signed Waters to a one-year, $3 million contract on September 3, 2013. He announced his retirement on September 2, 2014.