Terron Armstead

Terron Armstead's Biography

Terron Armstead, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles, was born on July 23, 1991, in Cahokia, Illinois. He currently plays for the Miami Dolphins, but his football journey began at a small historically Black college in Arkansas.

Armstead showed an affinity for sports early on during his high school tenure in Cahokia. Besides his impressive growth in football stature — jumping from a 6-2, 250-pound offensive lineman as a junior to a 6-4, 300-pound senior, he also had a standout track & field performance, ultimately winning the News-Democrat Track & Field Athlete of the Year award and a state title in shot put.

His athletic prowess saw him enroll at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, leading the university’s Golden Lions football team to many victories between 2009 and 2012. Simultaneously, he competed in track & field as a shot putter, discus thrower, and hammer thrower, marking a personal record of 18.73 meters in the shot put at the 2012 NCAA West Regional.

Armstead’s remarkable athleticism was further highlighted at the 2013 NFL Combine, where he ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash, breaking a record for offensive linemen that had stood for over 30 years. Consequently, he was drafted into the NFL by the New Orleans Saints in the third round, making history as the earliest draft choice from Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

His rookie season saw him rise from backup left tackle to a starter, a position he held despite the challenges faced, including injuries and the departure of teammates. Over the coming seasons, Armstead proved his worth time and again, solidifying his position as a formidable offensive tackle despite injury setbacks that periodically sidelined him.

In May 2016, his efforts were acknowledged by the Saints with a generous five-year, $65 million contract extension. His football journey wasn’t without its adversities. After a brief stint in the 2016 season, a knee injury led to Armstead being placed on the injured reserve list. The following year brought another blow, as he suffered a torn labrum that required surgery, keeping him out for most of the Saints’ offseason program.

Bouncing back stronger than ever, he returned to the field earlier than expected, starting ten games during the regular season. In 2020, Armstead faced another challenge with COVID-19 but swiftly recovered and went on to receive a recognition from fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2021.

Armstead reached a career milestone when he signed a lucrative five-year, $75 million contract with the Miami Dolphins in March 2022. In November 2022, he was sidelined due to a Grade 2 pectoral strain but returned to the field to earn his fourth Pro Bowl nod during the 2022 NFL season. He was further recognized by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Player of 2023.

The 2023 season started on a rocky note for Armstead, with multiple injuries limiting his playing time and forcing him onto the injured reserve list. He was replaced at left tackle by Kendall Lamm but made a comeback in November.

Among all his sporting accolades, Armstead was honored by HBCU Buzz as a top 30 Under 30 in 2014, signifying his impact and influence beyond the football field. Terron Armstead’s journey serves as an impressive testament of resilience and tenacity, continually proving that challenges are merely stepping stones to greater achievements. His trajectory remains one to watch for every football aficionado.