Rashard Mendenhall

Rashard Mendenhal is a professional football running back for the of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fast Facts

1. Born: June 19, 1987
2. Birth Place: Skokie, Illinois
3. Nickname: Shard and Darknezz
4. Position: Running Back
5. Height: 5' 11"
6. Weight: 225 lbs.
7. Entered in the 2008 NFL Draft

Rose Bowl and 2007-08

Freshman and sophomore years were nothing compared to his junior year. Mendenhall played in the 2008 Rose Bowl against USC and had 17 carries for a total of 155 yards. He even had a 79 yard touchdown and caught five passes. For the season, Mendenhall had a rushing record of 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns, with 34 receptions for 318 yards.

Trash Talking Rookie

Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Rashard Mendenhall received publicity during his first season in the National Football League for a text message that he sent to his friend Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. In the text, Mendenhall playfully joked that he was going to have a big game against the Ravens. Rice revealed the text message to his teammates, who have turned the message into inspirational bulletin board material for the Ravens and Steelers Monday Night Football game on September 29, 2008. Mendenhall is starting for injured running back Willie Parker.¹

Awards and Honors

1. 2005: Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, a high school football all-star game.
2. 2006: CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District honors
3. 2006: Academic All-Big Ten
4. 2007: Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
5. 2007: Big Ten Conference MVP
6. 2007: Chicago Tribune Silver Football
7. 2007: All-Big Ten Conference first-team Pro Football Weekly
8. 2007: College Football All-America Team

Related Pages on Mahalo

Pittsburgh Steelers | Baltimore Ravens | National Football League | University of Illinois

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