Jets pick up LB who plays to make NFL grandfather proud
On a busy Monday, the Jets signed linebacker Brandon Copeland, a four-year NFL veteran who missed the entire 2017 season with a torn pectoral muscle. Copeland, 26, was with the Lions in 2015 and 2016, playing in all 32 games, with one start.
An Ivy League product out of Penn, Copeland’s grandfather, Roy Hilton, played 11 seasons in the NFL and lined up for the Colts when they were stunned by the Jets in Super Bowl III.
“He played defensive end against Joe Namath and all those guys,” Copeland said. “I know he’s going to be very proud of his grandson, and now my job is to continue to make him proud.”
Copeland was undrafted and spent time with the Ravens and the Titans’ practice squads and also played with the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League. He figures to fill a special teams role with the Jets.
“I’m a guy that’s had a roller-coaster ride of a career, so part of that battle, for me, is being in a place where I feel like they value me,” Copeland told the Jets website. “From the jump, the Jets played no games letting me know and making sure I understood that.”