Chris Board Bio
Christopher Torvan Board is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 23, 1995, in Memphis, Tennessee, Board has built his career as a reliable special teams contributor and reserve defender. He played college football for the North Dakota State Bison, where he helped the program win four FCS Division I national championships, a stretch that established him as a winner at the highest collegiate level outside the Football Bowl Subdivision.
After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, Board signed with the Baltimore Ravens and went on to play for the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots before returning to Baltimore and eventually landing with the New York Giants. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing around 230 pounds, he has carved out a long professional career through toughness, discipline, and consistency on the margins of the game.
Early Life and Background
Christopher Torvan Board was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 23, 1995, and grew up in the United States. He attended Timber Creek High School, where he developed as a football player and gained attention for his work ethic and physicality. His time in high school laid the foundation for the skills that would later define his role as a linebacker and special teams ace.
Coming out of high school, Board was not regarded as a blue-chip national recruit, but he found a perfect fit at North Dakota State University, a program in the upper Midwest that has become one of the most dominant forces in FCS football. Joining the Bison gave him the opportunity to compete at a high level and contribute to one of the great dynasties in college football history.
Path to American Football
At North Dakota State, Board joined a Bison program that was building a dynasty in the Football Championship Subdivision. He developed within a winning culture that produced NFL talent year after year, and he eventually played a role in the Bison’s run of national championships in the mid-2010s. His growth at the collegiate level prepared him for the physical and mental demands of professional football.
Board’s college career was highlighted by four FCS Division I national championships during his time with the Bison, with championship years reported across the 2014, 2015, and 2017 seasons. Although he was not a headline star, his reliability in a winning program earned him an opportunity to pursue a professional career once his college eligibility was complete.
Chris Board Career
Early Career (2018)
After going unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, Board signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on June 1, 2018. He made the Ravens’ 53-man roster out of training camp and played in all 16 regular-season games during his rookie year. That debut season established him as a dependable young player and a key piece of Baltimore’s special teams units.
Over the next several seasons, Board continued to grow into a core special teams role with the Ravens, gradually earning more defensive snaps as his understanding of the league deepened. In 2020, he showed further development as a pass rusher, and in Week 16 of that year, he recorded his first two career sacks on quarterback Daniel Jones during a 27-13 win over the New York Giants. On March 16, 2021, he signed a one-year contract extension with Baltimore, solidifying his value to the team before eventually moving on in free agency.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2018-2021)
Board’s first stint with the Baltimore Ravens was the foundation of his NFL career. Going undrafted but quickly making the roster, he played in all 16 games as a rookie, which was a strong indicator of the impression he made during training camp. From there, he became a fixture on Baltimore’s coverage and return units, gaining a reputation as one of the league’s harder-working special teams players.
His development was steady rather than flashy, but the highlight came in 2020, when he notched his first two career sacks against the New York Giants. That performance, along with a 2021 contract extension, cemented his standing within the organization before he tested the open market in 2022.
Detroit Lions Era (2022)
On March 23, 2022, Board signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions, seeking an opportunity to expand his role and contribute to a young, rebuilding team. His time in Detroit gave him a fresh setting in which to showcase his special teams skills and his ability to play in a defensive system built around speed and aggression.
New England Patriots Era (2023)
On March 22, 2023, Board signed with the New England Patriots, joining another long-established NFL franchise. During the 2023 season, he played in all 17 games exclusively on special teams, continuing to fulfill the role that has defined much of his professional value. He was released by New England on March 14, 2024, opening the door for his next career move.
Baltimore Ravens (Second Stint) (2024-2025)
On March 19, 2024, Board signed a contract to return to the Baltimore Ravens, returning to the organization that had originally given him his professional start. His second stint in Baltimore was brief but meaningful, allowing him to finish out the 2024 season with the team that had developed him before he once again reached free agency.
New York Giants Era (2025-Present)
On March 12, 2025, the New York Giants signed Board to a two-year contract worth $6 million, bringing his steady special teams play to the NFC East. He was expected to contribute immediately as a leader on coverage units and a rotational linebacker. However, on September 16, 2025, Board was placed on injured reserve after suffering a chest injury in New York’s Week 2 game against the Dallas Cowboys, putting a temporary hold on his debut season with the team.
Driving Style and Strengths
Board is widely recognized as one of the league’s most dependable special teams players, valued for his tackling in space, his pursuit angles, and his willingness to do the unglamorous work that often goes unnoticed. He is physical at the point of contact, plays with consistent leverage, and is trusted by coaches in key special teams situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable career moments are his first two career sacks against Daniel Jones in a 2020 win over the Giants, his four FCS national championships at North Dakota State, and his two-year contract with the New York Giants in 2025. These achievements underscore a career built on team success and longevity rather than individual accolades.
Chris Board Career Wins
Christopher Torvan Board has notched a collection of milestones across his professional and collegiate career, even though he is not a frequent statistical headline-maker. His wins are best measured in championships, contract signings, and longevity, rather than in headline-grabbing offensive or defensive numbers. Below is a summary of the most notable achievements tied to his playing career.
NFL and College Highlights
At the college level, Board was part of four FCS Division I national championship teams during his time at North Dakota State, with championship campaigns reported in 2014, 2015, and 2017. In the NFL, he has made every roster he has joined, played a full 16 games as a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, and recorded his first two career sacks in 2020. He has also secured multiple contracts, including a 2021 extension with Baltimore, a 2022 deal with the Detroit Lions, a 2023 agreement with the New England Patriots, a 2024 return to Baltimore, and a 2025 signing with the New York Giants worth $6 million over two years.
Other Performances
Beyond the headlines, Board has been valued as a core special teams player for each franchise he has represented, playing in all 17 games for the New England Patriots in 2023 and earning the trust of coaching staffs who prize consistency, effort, and dependability on coverage and return units.
Chris Board Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Christopher Torvan Board’s immediate family, including parents and siblings, has not been publicly confirmed in the available sources. His upbringing in Memphis, Tennessee, and his development at Timber Creek High School suggest a supportive environment that allowed him to pursue football seriously, but specific family details remain private.
Personal Life
Board maintains a private personal life and is not publicly confirmed to be married or to have children based on the available information. He remains active on social media, where his official accounts list c_board49 as a recognizable handle across platforms. He continues to focus on his professional career with the New York Giants after navigating the typical demands of an NFL journeyman linebacker.
2025 Season Performance
Christopher Torvan Board entered the 2025 season with the New York Giants after signing a two-year, $6 million contract in March 2025. The signing was viewed as a low-risk, high-floor move, with the team banking on his special teams experience to stabilize key units while he contributed in a rotational linebacker role. Early in the season, he was on track to deliver exactly that kind of impact for new teammates and coaches.
However, in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, Board suffered a chest injury that led to his placement on injured reserve on September 16, 2025. The injury interrupted his debut campaign with the Giants and placed the remainder of his 2025 outlook into question, though his contract structure suggests the team still views him as a long-term piece of the roster.
Looking ahead, the focus for Board and the Giants will be his recovery timeline and his ability to return to form as a core special teams contributor. Given his track record of durability and his experience in multiple defensive systems, he is well-positioned to bounce back once healthy and resume his role as one of the league’s most reliable coverage players.