He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL draft.
He started and played in 12 games during his senior season at Pittsburgh where he was a First-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and SportsIllustrated.com and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
[citation needed] On February 28, 2016, the Washington Redskins filed a lawsuit against Blades to recoup $40,000 the team mistakenly paid him in 2013.
After arbitration, Blades agreed to repay $20,658.88 in 50 installments, taking out taxes and with-holdings, but he failed to make payments.
[6][7] Judge Alvin Hellerstein noted to terminate this case in favor of Blades paying back the NFLPA on August 3, 2016.