Sauce Gardner

Sauce Gardner's Biography

The Professional Journey of Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner

Born on August 31, 2000, in Detroit, Michigan, young American sportsman Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is a rising star of football in the United States. Now widely known as a formidable cornerback for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL), Ahmad’s journey from amateur to professional athlete is the story of hard work, passion, dedication, and a touch of savory “Sauce”.

Ahmad’s love for football began in high school where he attended Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. He dazzled in his dual role as wide receiver and cornerback, particularly shining in the Division 2 State Championship where he made four receptions for 126 yards, scoring two touchdowns. His performance earned him an All-State selection at cornerback by the Associated Press. Rated a three-star recruit, Ahmad accepted an offer to further his football career at the University of Cincinnati.

As a true freshman in 2019, Gardner showed his immense promise, appearing in 11 games and demonstrating a defensive prowess with 31 tackles and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Establishing himself as a critical player, Ahmad accumulated 11 passes defended and eight pass breakups. His excellent performance led to him being the only true freshman named to the American Athletic Conference first-team.

As a sophomore in 2020, Gardner readily embraced the responsibilities conferred upon him and started the season as a significant player in the team’s starting lineup. His true breakout year, however, was his junior year in 2021. He was voted for the 2021 College Football All-America Team and was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. His skill and leadership were instrumental in helping the Cincinnati Bearcats become the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff that year. Following his successful junior year, Gardner declared for the 2022 NFL draft.

The next stage of Gardner’s journey began when he was picked fourth overall by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL Draft. On May 7, 2022, he inked his four-year rookie contract, securing a fully guaranteed sum of $38.7 million.

In his first season with the Jets, Gardner started every single game, proving his worth with outstanding play on the football field. His rookie year saw him amass 75 total tackles (51 solo), two interceptions, and an impressive 20 passes defensed, a statistic that led the entire league. This impressive rookie season earned Gardner a spot in the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, a significant accomplishment as only one other rookie, Tariq Woolen, was selected.

Gardner’s exceptional rookie performance was recognized with the prestigious NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. This allowed him to make history as the first rookie cornerback since Ronnie Lott in 1981 to be named first-team All-Pro. He also found a place in the esteemed list of NFL Top 100 Players of 2023, where he was ranked 23rd by his peers.

Moving on to the 2023 season, Gardner continued to impress. Out of 16 appearances and starts, he accumulated 57 total tackles (41 solo), 11 passes defended, and one forced fumble. For the second consecutive year, he earned Pro Bowl and first team All-Pro honors. This accomplishment made Gardner the first cornerback and the third player in NFL history to secure first-team All-Pro honors in each of their first two seasons in the League.

Off the Football field, Ahmad leads a solid Christian life. The nickname “Sauce”, given to him by a youth football coach when he was just six, is derived from an instance where young Ahmad had barbecue sauce all over his face while eating ribs. This nickname became intimately associated with him, even inspiring a partnership with the sports bar chain Buffalo Wild Wings in 2022. Together, they endorsed a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce known as “Sauce Sauce”.

Today, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner stands as a testament to what dedication, passion, and a good dose of “Sauce” can achieve. His journey, from the Detroit city football grounds to the brightly lit stadiums of the NFL, is a vivid narrative of athletic growth, and a testament to the potential and promise that the future still holds for him.