Most kids dream of suiting up under the big lights in their hometown. However, Sauce Gardner isn’t most kids.
Gardner was raised in Detroit. The 22-year-old admits it wasn’t always easy. Nonetheless, Gardner overcame the struggle. Gardner exited high school as a mere three-star recruit and the No. 1624 player in the Class of 2019, according to On3 Industry Ratings.
Yet, Cincinnati took a chance on him. The program certainly made the right decision. The 6-foot-3 cornerback played 1,059 snaps for the Bearcats without allowing a single touchdown in his career.
In his freshman season, Gardner earned a spot on the All-AAC first team along with the Newcomer of the Year Award from the UC athletic department. As a sophomore, Gardner continued his successful play, earning first and second-team All-American honors from multiple organizations.
For his efforts, the New York Jets selected Gardner with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Now set financially, Gardner was quietly happy he was no longer in Detroit.
“I don’t really have a problem with everybody just asking me for money, but that’s one reason I didn’t want to get drafted by Detroit. That would have been a totally different story,” Gardner recently said on “The Pivot Podcast.”
“I would have so many people asking for tickets. Then, people would have probably seen me around Detroit. Then, they would have been trying to hang out with me. Then, they would have been trying to ask me for money,” Gardner said. “There are so many variables that go into it. That’s why I’m happy I am where I’m at right now.”
Gardner is successful in his current home. The Detroit native was the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 17 games, Gardner recorded two interceptions, 20 defended passes and 75 tackles.
Expected to have an even better sophomore effort, Gardner still provides for those who were there for him from the start.
“It’s a blessing, man,” Gardner said, per Mlive.com’s Kyle Meinke. “I don’t have anyone in my family that went through what I’m going through, so this is my first time experiencing it, and my parents’ first time, and the rest of my family experiencing it. My mom, she’s real humble, but I know when that day comes, she’s going to be very emotional.”
That day has come. Gardner will earn a base salary of $870,000 in 2023, with other bonuses included. Watch Gardner and the Jets kick off the NFL regular season on Sept. 11 when they take on the Buffalo Bills.
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