Former NFL tight end Jimmy Graham has achieved a remarkable feat — conquering the Arctic Ocean not on the football field, but on a rowing expedition. Recently reported by the New Orleans Saints**,** Graham, at 38, was part of a four-member team that succeeded in the Arctic Challenge, rowing over 584 nautical miles from Tromsø, Norway, to Longyearbyen, Svalbard. The crew completed this intense journey in just slightly more than 10 days, setting a new record for a four-person team, surpassing the previous record of 15 days, 5 hours, and 32 minutes.
Alongside his crewmates Andrew Tropp, John Huppi, and Hannah Huppi, Graham made history as part of the first mixed-gender team to row across the Arctic Ocean. They also became the first all-American group to accomplish a polar ocean crossing. Notably, Graham is recognized as the first Black individual to have rowed across a polar ocean, while Hannah Huppi is the first American woman to have done so.
Update from @TheJimmyGraham on “The Arctic Challenge,” their historic row across the Arctic Ocean:
“The team has officially entered the fjord - just hours from the finish line. After nearly 1,000 km of the Arctic Ocean, the end is finally in sight! Exhausted, soaked, but… pic.twitter.com/lretSULhqE”
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 14, 2025
The expedition, which kicked off on July 4 and concluded on July 14, was fraught with challenges. Inclement weather compelled the team to halt twice during their journey, and overcast conditions hindered their ability to recharge essential equipment with solar energy. Ultimately, after 18 months of rigorous training, they achieved their goal at the lower end of their 10- to 20-day timeframe, battling through harsh cold, fatigue, and isolation in one of the planet’s most remote areas.
At the crux of this journey was a charitable endeavor aimed at raising $1 million for two organizations based in New Orleans, Covenant House and Laureus Sport for Good. The team’s objective — to gather one dollar for each meter rowed — helped maintain their focus throughout the arduous passage across icy waters.
🙏🏽 for the kids of my home team ⚜️. Couldn’t leave without doing something special for them. Truly Blessed 🖤💛 Team USA 🇺🇸 — Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) July 16, 2025
“Just wanted to remind everybody why we are out here and to go on the map and donate what you can for the kids,” Graham stated during Day 3 of the expedition. “The reason why we are sitting here, suffering so much is to bring opportunities to others so we appreciate the support.”
After a standout NFL career, Graham last played during the 2023 season, where he scored four touchdowns in his second spell with the Saints. He has also represented the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears throughout his career, accumulating a total of 8,545 yards and 89 touchdowns across 719 receptions, earning All-Pro recognition in 2011 and 2013 while with New Orleans.
