Bam Childress
An undersized but tenacious wide receiver who carved out a professional career through sheer grit and special teams prowess.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American gridiron football player·Birthday: March 31·Millennials
Biography
Bam Childress's football story is one of relentless overachievement. Standing just 5'10", he lacked the prototype size of an NFL wide receiver, but he compensated with sure hands, precise route-running, and a ferocious competitive drive. After a solid but not star-studded career at Ohio State, he went undrafted in 2005. The New England Patriots, masters at finding undervalued talent, signed him as a free agent. Under the exacting eye of Bill Belichick, Childress embraced the unglamorous, high-impact role of a special teams ace and practice squad contributor. His knowledge of the Patriots' complex system made him a valuable scout team player, and he earned brief spots on the active roster, catching his first NFL touchdown in 2005. Though his regular-season stats were modest, his career spanned multiple professional leagues, including stints in the CFL, embodying the journey of the consummate football grinder who maximizes every ounce of his ability.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Bam was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Bam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent and made the team's initial 53-man roster in 2005.
- Caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady in his first NFL season.
- Played professional football in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League over a multi-year career.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Bam' was given to him by his grandmother when he was a baby.
He played in Super Bowl XLII with the New England Patriots, though the team lost to the New York Giants.
He was a standout high school quarterback in Cleveland, Ohio, before switching to receiver in college.
“They said I was too small, so I played every special teams snap like it was my last.”
