SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Let’s give the New York Jets some play. While they continue to pursue a quarterback to pave the way, they did well on the defensive end when rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner was named to the National Football League Pro-Bowl team.
And as the league playoffs kick off today with the wild card games, Gardner grabbed the individual headlines by becoming the initial rookie cornerback selected in 41 years.
Names on all 50 ballets and receiving 41 first-place votes, the man who wears No. 1 became the first at that position since Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott was selected in 1981.
He’s actually Ahmad, was All-America at Cincinnati, and “Sauce” was passed on to him at the age of 6 due to his versatile play on the football field, and it stuck.
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, he starred at highly ranked University of Cincinnati as a four-year starter. As the fourth pick in the first round, the Jets wrapped him up in a 4-year $38.7 deal and he didn’t disappoint.
He was a menace to the defense, a fierce and quick tackler with plenty of speed, strength and no letdown.
An added sauce came his way after he partnered a buffalo wings sports bar chain for a sweet and spicy barbeque sauce that has been a very successful addition.
Also named was defensive lineman teammate Quinten Williams, and wide receivers Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Justin Jefferson of the Minnestoa Vikings were unanimous picks.
KC and the San Francisco 49ers led the way with four players each on the first team.
Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, San Fran edge Nick Bosa and Kansas City defensive lineman Chris Jones received 49 of 50 first-team ballots.
