Cameron Brate: How Harvard Prepared Him for NFL Stardom

By Jason Bolton August 05, 2024 10:08

Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The story of Cameron Brate's rise from Harvard University to the NFL is a unique blend of academic and athletic amidst football greatness. Entering the league as an under-the-radar tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brate has rapidly left his mark on Sundays while utilizing a rare Ivy League pedigree to make his way through life in professional sports. This article delves into how Brate's training at Harvard had armed him with the tools, perspective, and grit to become an NFL success story.

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Academic and Athletic Achievements at Harvard

Cameron Brate spent 2010 to 2013 at Harvard University studying Economics. His academic success has been well-noted, as he was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, known informally as the "Academic Heisman." The prestigious honor is awarded to student-athletes with a rare combination of academic achievement, athletic prowess, and community roles. These aspects require quite some juggling on Brate's part as he competes for preparation time.

Brate was an exceptional athlete on the field. Over three seasons, the Harvard Crimson man caught 91 passes for 1,381 yards and found pay dirt a total of times among the prestigious Ivy League, twice earning first-team All-Ivy honors while also receiving second-team recognition against his competition. This not only showed off his wide range of skills but also proved he could succeed in a competitive setting, something that would serve him well as an NFL player.

Brate learned more than just math at Harvard. He graduated with sharper critical thinking skills and increased discipline, thanks partly to his new understanding of time constraints. The program's challenging academic setting forced him to learn time management as he simultaneously tackled heavy coursework and football.

In addition to his scholarship in economics, Brate uniquely approached financial literacy as a former student-athlete. He has spoken publicly of his efforts to plan for financial life after hoops and occasionally offered investment guidance to teammates regarding the market. His economics background has set Brate up to manage the financial minefield that accompanies professional football, and it largely explains why he did not come closer than other NFL veterans in his playing days.

Hurdles of Adapting to the NFL

The jump from college to NFL football is challenging for any player, and Brate had his challenges. An undrafted free agent in 2014, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived him during final cuts last season. It may have been enough to derail his career, but Brate's resilience built up over time at Harvard kept helping him fight back. He was released and signed to the Buccaneer's practice squad a short time later but eventually made his way onto the active roster.

NFL Career Highlights

To date, Cameron Brate has accomplished a lot in the NFL, a testament to how useful his Harvard education was in building him for professional success. In his time with the Buccaneers, he has been a go-to receiver in critical situations and is best known for coming up big when thrown to.

The year that put him on the map was 2016, when he caught 57 passes for 660 yards and eight touchdowns, helping elevate himself as one of the upper-tier tight ends in pro football. On May 2, 2018, he signed a six-year contract with the Buccaneers worth $40.80 million overall and an average annual salary of around $6,800,000.

His academic success, coupled with the edge and toughness he developed during his time at Harvard, has seen him navigate professional football, if not easily. While he continues to navigate the NFL waters, Brate is a tangible reminder that what goes on in classrooms every day can lead to great success. His story is a beacon for budding athletes, highlighting that greatness can be attained anywhere if you stay disciplined and work hard to upskill continuously.