TicketsPHOENIX, Ariz. – Former University of Cincinnati All-America cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press on Thursday night at the 2023 NFL Honors awards show held at Symphony Hall.
Decked out in a crimson suit with his signature "SAUCE" chain and accompanied by his mother, Alisa, Gardner collected the award live on NBC.
"First and foremost I (have to) thank God," he said as part of his acceptance speech. "Without him I wouldn't be here…I want to thank the Jets for taking a chance on me and allowing me to be a part of their defense. I want to thank all of my coaches from little league to Detroit King High School to Cincinnati. Everywhere. Last but not least, I have to thank Detroit. It was hard growing up … the adversity is what it took to get me here. I appreciate it."
It's no surprise Gardner collected the honor after authoring one of the greatest seasons by a rookie cornerback in NFL history following being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Last month, he became the first Jets' cornerback selected for the AP All-Pro First Team since Darrelle Revis in 2011. He was the NFL's first rookie cornerback selected for the first team since Ronnie Lott in 1981.
The Detroit, Mich., native led the NFL with 20 passes defended and also had 75 tackles and two interceptions as the Jets improved from four wins to seven wins.
Gardner was a two-time First Team All-American while playing at Cincinnati from 2019 to 2021, famously never giving up a touchdown in over 1,000 snaps, while leading UC to a pair of American Athletic Conference Championships and to the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
He is the second Bearcat to earn a major pro football Rookie of the Year award, joining quarterback Greg Cook, who was the AFL's Rookie of the Year in 1969.
RESERVE YOUR 2023 CINCINNATI FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS NOW
Decked out in a crimson suit with his signature "SAUCE" chain and accompanied by his mother, Alisa, Gardner collected the award live on NBC.
"First and foremost I (have to) thank God," he said as part of his acceptance speech. "Without him I wouldn't be here…I want to thank the Jets for taking a chance on me and allowing me to be a part of their defense. I want to thank all of my coaches from little league to Detroit King High School to Cincinnati. Everywhere. Last but not least, I have to thank Detroit. It was hard growing up … the adversity is what it took to get me here. I appreciate it."
It's no surprise Gardner collected the honor after authoring one of the greatest seasons by a rookie cornerback in NFL history following being selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
Last month, he became the first Jets' cornerback selected for the AP All-Pro First Team since Darrelle Revis in 2011. He was the NFL's first rookie cornerback selected for the first team since Ronnie Lott in 1981.
The Detroit, Mich., native led the NFL with 20 passes defended and also had 75 tackles and two interceptions as the Jets improved from four wins to seven wins.
Gardner was a two-time First Team All-American while playing at Cincinnati from 2019 to 2021, famously never giving up a touchdown in over 1,000 snaps, while leading UC to a pair of American Athletic Conference Championships and to the 2021 College Football Playoff Semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
He is the second Bearcat to earn a major pro football Rookie of the Year award, joining quarterback Greg Cook, who was the AFL's Rookie of the Year in 1969.
CINCINNATI FOOTBALL AMONG THE NATION'S BEST The Cincinnati football team is one of the top-five winningest programs in college football over the last five seasons and became the first Group of Five team to qualify for the College Football Playoff in 2021. Countless NFL stars have played for Cincinnati, including current All-Pros: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (New York Jets), Jason Kelce (Philadelphia Eagles) and Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs). Cincinnati football dates back to 1885 and competes at Carson Field at Nippert Stadium – the third-oldest stadium in college football. Under first-year head coach Scott Satterfield, the Bearcats will enter a new Power Five Conference, the Big 12, in 2023 looking to continue to grow UC into one of the nation's premier football programs.DROY @iamSauceGardner was worth the hype in year one 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2023
📺: #NFLHonors on NBC pic.twitter.com/J2CRXkEima
RESERVE YOUR 2023 CINCINNATI FOOTBALL SEASON TICKETS NOW
- The Bearcats will have seven games at Nippert Stadium, including five against Big 12 opponents, in their first season in the Power Five conference. The 2023 schedule is poised to be the most exciting and challenging slate ever assembled for UC.
- Current season ticket holders have until March 31 to renew their tickets for 2023.
- The Bearcats Ticket Office is also accepting deposits for new football season tickets here. There are a limited number of deposits available.
- A limited number of single-game tickets will go on sale this summer.