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Rashard Mendenhall
| No. 34 Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Running back |
| Personal information |
| Date of birth: June 19, 1987 (1987-06-19) (age 22) |
| Place of birth: Skokie, Illinois |
| Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Weight: 225 lb (102 kg) |
| Career information |
| College: Illinois |
| NFL Draft: 2008 / Round: 1 / Pick: 23 |
| Debuted in 2008 for the Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
|
|
| Career history |
As player:
|
| Roster status: Active |
| Career highlights and awards |
|
|
| Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2009 |
| Rushing yards |
1,036 |
| Rushing average |
4.6 |
| Rushing TDs |
6 |
| Stats at NFL.com |
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall (born June 19, 1987 in Skokie, Illinois) is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois.
[edit] Early years
Mendenhall attended Niles West High School in Skokie, Illinois. As a five-star prospect, he was also rated the No. 1 recruit in the state of Illinois by Scout.com.[1] He recorded 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. As a junior, he rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 11.6 yards per carry. In his last year, he averaged 9.1 yards per carry, rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns. Following his high school career, Mendenhall played in the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
[edit] College career
Mendenhall played for the University of Illinois football team. His first season was in 2005, during which he rushed for 218 yard on 48 carries, adding 82 yards receiving and two touchdowns. In 2006, Mendenhall nearly tripled his rushing total, gaining 640 yards and scoring five touchdowns. He added 164 yards receiving and a touchdown, with 12 receptions. Throughout his final season with the Illini, Mendenhall rushed for a school record 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns. Throughout the 13 game season, he also had 318 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 34 receptions. He majored in sports management.[citation needed]
Mendenhall was on the cover of Sporting News High School Football Magazine.[2] On April 24, 2008, Mendenhall made a guest appearance on The Best Damn Sports Show Period in a segment called Best Damn Rookie Hazing, along with former Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly.[3]
[edit] Statistics
|
|
Rushing |
Receiving |
| Year |
G |
Att |
Yrds |
Avg |
TD |
Lg |
Rec |
Yrds |
Avg |
TD |
Lg |
| 2005 |
10 |
48 |
218 |
4.5 |
0 |
18 |
13 |
82 |
6.3 |
2 |
16 |
| 2006 |
12 |
78 |
640 |
8.2 |
5 |
86 |
12 |
164 |
13.7 |
1 |
76 |
| 2007 |
13 |
262 |
1681 |
6.4 |
17 |
79 |
34 |
318 |
9.4 |
2 |
55 |
| Totals |
35 |
388 |
2539 |
6.5 |
22 |
86 |
59 |
564 |
9.6 |
5 |
76 |
[edit] Professional career
|
I'm not exactly sure how many yards, but whatever my role is, I plan on having success.
|
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on February 24, 2008, Mendenhall ran an unofficial 4.36 forty-yard dash. His run was officially timed at 4.45, which was sixth among all running backs at the NFL Scouting Combine.[5] Before the draft, Mendenhall had lunch with Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith.[6] Mendenhall was drafted 23rd overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft.[7] Prior to his rookie season Mendenhall was ranked by ESPN as the 30th best running back in the league.[8] On July 25, 2008, Mendenhall agreed to a five-year contract worth US$12.55 million with the Steelers,[9] of which $7.125 million is guaranteed.[10] He was expected to be a compliment to Pro-Bowl running back Willie Parker,[11] in addition to returning kicks.[10] Mendenhall fumbled twice in Pittsburgh's third pre-season game against Minnesota; they were attributed to adjusting to the faster pace of the NFL.[12] Days after the game, teammate Hines Ward placed a ball in Mendenhall's locker with a note stating, "Take Mendenhall's ball away and get $100 from him."[13] Mendenhall was required to carry the ball everywhere he went until the team's next game.[13] Mendenhall fumbled once more in the Steelers final pre-season game,[14][15] but worked with running backs coach Kirby Wilson to fix the problem.[16]
Mendenhall entered the 2008 regular season as the Steelers' youngest player.[17] He took on return duties in addition to his running back position.[17] Entering the fourth week of the 2008 season, Willie Parker suffered an injury which allowed Mendenhall to make his first NFL start.[18] Mendenhall rushed for 30 yards on 9 carries,[19][20] but was forced to leave the game with a fractured shoulder in the third quarter.[21] Mendenhall was placed on injured reserved for the remainder of the season.[22] Mendenhall finished his rookie season with 58 rushing yards on 19 carries and 115 yards on six kick returns.[23] .[24] In week 4 of the 2009 season, Mendenhall started in place of an injured Willie Parker. Against the San Diego Chargers he jump started his NFL career by rushing for 165 yards and two touchdowns
Mendenhall enjoys reading and writing poetry in his spare time. [25] On May 5, 2008, while walking in Chicago, Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint. He was not injured.[26] In September 2008, Mendenhall became the first athlete to sign an endorsement deal with Champion in ten years.[27] His brother is NFL free agent running back Walter Mendenhall.
[edit] References
- ^ "Scout.com". Press release. 2004-12-10. http://illinois.scout.com/a.z?s=169&p=8&c=1&nid=1046713. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ "http://i.tsn.com/i/p/books/HSFB_cvr2_173.jpg". Press release. 2008-03-15. http://i.tsn.com/i/p/books/HSFB_cvr2_173.jpg. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ Rashard Mendenhall & Malcolm Kelly on Best Damn Sports Show at YouTube (requires Adobe Flash)
- ^ Prisuta, Mike (2007-07-28). "Mendenhall doesn't have clear-cut role". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_579744.html?source=rss&feed=3. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ 2008 NFL Draft Scout Profile - The SportsXchange
- ^ "Top Performers". Combine (NFL.com). 2008-03-15. http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers?tabIndex=0. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ Bouchette, Ed (2008-04-28). "Steelers draft RB from Illinois, WR from Texas to protect Big Ben". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08118/877010-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ "James, Bush headline second tier of running backs". ESPN.com. 2008-06-04. http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=3424397&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d3424397. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ Bouchette, Ed (2008-07-26). "Mendenhall, Sweed sign with Steelers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08208/899756-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
- ^ a b Mandak, Joe (2008-07-25). "Steelers sign No. 1 pick to 5-year contract". NFL (Yahoo! Sports). http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-steelers-mendenhall&prov=ap&type=lgns. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
- ^ Harris, John (2008-06-17). "Expect much from Mendenhall". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_573070.html. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ Brown, Scott (2008-08-25). "Mendenhall having trouble hanging onto ball". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_584695.html?source=rss&feed=3. Retrieved 2008-08-25.
- ^ a b Prisuta, Mike (2008-08-26). "Mendenhall gets gripping lessons". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_584853.html?source=rss&feed=9. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ Brown, Scott (2008-08-28). "Steelers nip Panthers with last second field goal". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_585465.html. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
- ^ Bouchette, Ed (2008-08-29). "It's a Reed-thin margin again". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08242/907939-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-08-30.
- ^ Pompei, Dan (2008-08-30). "Gripping drama unfolds in AFC North". Chicago Tribune. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/cs-080830-afc-north-rashard-mendenhall-pompei,1,2493749.column?track=rss. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ a b Dulac, Gerry (2008-09-06). "Mendenhall gets fresh start from Tomlin". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08250/910002-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
- ^ Associated Press (2008-09-23). "Steelers will be without RB Parker, DT Hampton against rival Ravens". ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3604561. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
- ^ "Week Four GameCenter". Play-by-Play. NFL.com. 2008-09-30. http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay?game_id=29588&displayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2008&week=REG4&override=true. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ "National Football League Game Summary" (PDF). Baltimore Ravens At Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL.com. 2008-09-30. http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29588/PIT_Gamebook.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
- ^ Bouchette, Ed (2008-09-30). "Four Steelers hurt; Mendenhall, Simmons to injured reserve list". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08274/916203-66.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (2008-09-30). "Injuries leave Steelers thin at running back". PittsburghSteelers.com. http://news.steelers.com/article/96862/. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ "Rashard Mendenhall". Career stats. NFL.com. 2008-09-30. http://www.nfl.com/players/rashardmendenhall/careerstats?id=MEN393702. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Bouchette, Ed (31 January 2009). "Steelers rookie Mendenhall reacquainted with team". Pittsburgh Post-Gaztte. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09031/945958-66.stm. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "Steelers' Mendenhall candid about life, past and present". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 2008-08-03. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_580831.html?source=rss&feed=3. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ "Steelers new running back Mendenhall robbed at gunpoint". NFL (ESPN.com). 2008-05-05. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3382968. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ Dulac, Gerry (2008-09-12). "Mendenhall a new Champion". Steelers Notebook: Roethlisberger limited in practice, should play (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08256/911635-66.stm?cmpid=sports.xml. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
[edit] External links
