Chris Blair Bio
Christopher Marquinton “CB” Blair, born on October 6, 1997, is an American professional football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighing around 215 lb (98 kg), he plays as a wide receiver wearing jersey number 19 for the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at Hinds Community College and for the Alcorn State Braves before turning professional in 2021.
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Blair began his professional career with the Green Bay Packers and later played for the DC Defenders of the XFL before signing with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. He is recognized for his steady development through the college ranks, the spring football league, and the NFL practice squad system, eventually earning his first NFL reception late in the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Chris Blair was born on October 6, 1997, in Louisville, Mississippi, United States. He grew up in Louisville, a small city in the eastern part of the state, and attended Louisville High School, where he lettered in both football and basketball. His high school experience helped shape his athletic foundation, giving him the early exposure to multiple sports that later supported his transition into organized college football.
Coming out of Louisville High School, Blair was an unranked wide receiver recruit, a common label for prospects from smaller programs. Despite the lack of national attention, he committed to Hinds Community College to continue his football development. The choice to start at the junior college level allowed him to refine his route running and physical profile before moving on to a four-year program.
Path to American Football
Blair’s path to professional football began at Hinds Community College, where he played during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. During his true freshman season in 2016, he appeared in six games and recorded seven receptions for 46 yards. In 2017, he played in nine games, starting four of them, and finished the year with nine receptions for 172 receiving yards and three touchdowns, showing clear year-over-year improvement.
After his time at Hinds, Blair transferred to Alcorn State University, where he played for the Alcorn State Braves during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. In 2018, he started 11 of 13 games and caught 43 passes for 529 receiving yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in receiving yards. As a senior in 2019, he started 12 of 13 games and finished with 44 receptions for 931 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, ranking sixth in the nation in yards per reception with 21.2 and again leading the team in receiving yards. These two strong seasons at Alcorn State positioned him for a chance at the next level.
Chris Blair Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Blair went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, but his college production drew professional interest. The Green Bay Packers brought him in for a tryout on August 30, 2020, and hosted him for another tryout on January 6, 2021, before signing him on January 8, 2021. That signing marked the official start of his professional football career, with the wide receiver joining a contender looking for depth at the position.
His first season with Green Bay was spent moving between the active roster and the practice squad. Blair was released on August 25, 2021, but was re-signed to the practice squad on September 1. He was released from the practice squad on January 10, 2022, signed to a future contract on January 25, and ultimately released on May 11. These transactions reflected the typical early-career cycle for an undrafted pass catcher.
Green Bay Packers Era (2021–2022)
Blair’s time with the Green Bay Packers spanned parts of two seasons, during which he continued to develop his craft in a competitive NFC North environment. The Packers used him primarily as a practice squad option, giving him time to learn the offense and adjust to the speed of the professional game. His release in May 2022 opened the door to a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts on August 1, 2022, though no contract followed.
DC Defenders Era (2023)
Looking for an opportunity to play, Blair signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL on January 26, 2023. The spring football league gave him a true chance to be a featured receiver, and he made the most of it. Blair finished the 2023 XFL season with 25 receptions, 594 receiving yards, and three touchdowns, numbers that exceeded his combined college totals in some categories and showcased his big-play ability.
Following the end of the 2023 XFL season, Blair tried out for the Tennessee Titans on May 27, 2023, signaling his continued push to return to the NFL. His productive spring league performance helped re-establish him as a prospect worth a roster spot at the highest level.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023–Present)
On June 18, 2023, Blair signed with the Atlanta Falcons, the franchise that has been his NFL home since. He was placed on injured reserve on August 4, 2023, waived on August 14 with an injury settlement, and then re-signed to the practice squad on September 27, 2023. Blair made his NFL debut on November 26, 2023, against the New Orleans Saints, a milestone that capped a long journey through the practice squad ranks.
Following the regular season, Blair signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on January 10, 2024. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on December 21, 2024, and the next day against the New York Giants, he recorded his first career catch, a 17-yard reception from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. On August 26, 2025, Blair was waived as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to Atlanta’s practice squad the next day, and he signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 5, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a wide receiver, Chris Blair is listed at 6 ft 2 in and 215 lb, giving him a sturdy frame that holds up against physical cornerbacks. His college profile highlighted his yards-per-catch ability, ranking sixth in the nation at 21.2 yards per reception in 2019, suggesting a receiver who can stretch the field and produce explosive plays. His path through the practice squad system has also shown patience and readiness, key traits for a young pass catcher trying to break through.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blair’s most notable milestone came on December 22, 2024, when he caught his first career NFL pass, a 17-yard reception from Michael Penix Jr. against the New York Giants. That single play represented years of work, including time at Hinds Community College, Alcorn State, the Green Bay Packers organization, the DC Defenders of the XFL, and multiple stints on practice squads. It was the first entry in what he and the Atlanta Falcons hope will be a growing NFL receiving log.
Chris Blair Career Wins
Chris Blair’s professional career is still in its early stages, and his win totals reflect a player who has spent significant time on practice squads and special teams units. His most productive statistical season came in 2023 with the DC Defenders of the XFL, where he posted 25 receptions for 594 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In the NFL, his recorded statistics as of 2024 stand at 1 reception for 17 receiving yard, with that single catch coming in the 2024 season against the New York Giants.
DC Defenders Highlights
During the 2023 XFL season, Chris Blair was a significant contributor for the DC Defenders, finishing the year with 25 receptions, 594 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. That production marked his most successful professional season in terms of volume and scoring. The experience helped him return to the NFL and eventually sign with the Atlanta Falcons later that same year.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Chris Blair led the Alcorn State Braves in receiving yards in both 2018 and 2019, finishing his final season with 44 receptions for 931 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He ranked sixth nationally in yards per reception in 2019 at 21.2, a sign of his downfield effectiveness. At Hinds Community College, he grew from a limited role in 2016 into a multi-touchdown contributor by 2017, finishing that year with 172 receiving yards and three scores.
Chris Blair Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Chris Blair’s family background and any potential sports lineage is limited. What is confirmed is that he grew up in Louisville, Mississippi, and attended Louisville High School, where he was a multi-sport letterman in football and basketball.
Personal Life
Public details about Chris Blair’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, and children, are not confirmed in available sources. He has continued to be identified publicly by his nickname “CB” and has remained active on social media, where fans can follow his professional journey through his Instagram account.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Blair’s 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons began with another round of roster moves, as he was waived as part of final cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. This pattern was familiar to him by this point in his career, having gone through similar transactions with both the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons in prior years. The practice squad role gave him a chance to keep developing within the team’s system while staying ready for a potential promotion to the active roster.
His momentum from the late 2024 season, when he recorded his first career NFL catch, carried into the 2025 offseason as he worked to build a more consistent role. With the Falcons continuing to develop young talent at the wide receiver position, Blair’s combination of size, special teams value, and prior production at both the college and XFL levels made him a candidate for elevation if injuries or performance opened a door. The team’s investment in him was reflected in his January 5, 2026 reserve/future contract, signaling continued faith in his long-term potential.