Rod Graves

Rod Graves is the Executive Director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation (FPA), a position he has held since June 2019.13 He is a seasoned professional with an extensive career in the National Football League (NFL) spanning 37 years.3

Career Highlights

• NFL Experience: Graves served in several executive positions, including Senior Vice President of Football Administration at the NFL and General Manager of the Arizona Cardinals.3

• Arizona Cardinals: He joined the Cardinals in 1997 as Assistant to the President, was promoted to Vice President of Football Operations in 2003, and became General Manager in 2007. Under his leadership, the Cardinals made their first Super Bowl appearance in 2008.3

• New York Jets: In 2013, Graves joined the Jets as Senior Director of Football Administration.13

• NFL Front Office: In 2015, he became Senior Vice President of Football Administration and Club Services at NFL headquarters.3

Education and Early Career

• Graves graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory and holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Texas Tech University.2
• He began his career in professional football in 1982 as a regional scout for the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League.23
• In 1984, he joined the NFL as a regional scout for the Chicago Bears, contributing to their 1986 NFL Championship team.3

Personal Life

Rod Graves was born on March 16, 1959.2 He is married to Dreama, and they have three children: Brittany, Taylor, and Joshua.3 Graves is the son of the late Jackie Graves, former assistant director of player personnel for the Philadelphia Eagles.23