Jimmy Graham, rowing team set new Arctic Ocean speed record with 10-day journey

by: Brian Jones • 6 minutes ago • brianjones_93

Former NFL tight end Jimmy Graham and three other members of a rowing team completed the Arctic Challenge, travelling 584 nautical miles in 10 days. The team set the world record, which was 15 days, five hours and 32 minutes.

Graham completed the journey with Andrew Tropp, Hannah Huppi and John Huppi. They became the first mixed-gender team of four to row across the Arctic Ocean, as well as being the first all-American team to row across a polar ocean. Jimmy Graham became the first Black person to row a polar ocean, while Hannah Huppi became the first American woman to row a polar ocean.

for the kids of my home team ⚜️. Couldn’t leave without doing something special for them. Truly Blessed

Team USA https://t.co/mfZKuPTnbP

— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) July 16, 2025

The team began their journey at Tromsø, Norway, on July 4 and ended in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, on July 14. The team trained for 18 months and celebrated the accomplishment by eating pizza at a local restaurant.

More on Jimmy Graham and his rowing accomplishment

The team did this to help raise money for Covenant House New Orleans and Laureus Sport for Good New Orleans with a goal to raise $1 million. “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 said during the third day of the journey. “The reason why we are sitting here, suffering so much is to bring opportunities to others so we appreciate the support.”

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