Sauce Gardner, in April 2022, became the highest draft pick in University of Cincinnati history. Last February, he was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, just the fifth Jet to win the award.
Both are major achievements kids dream of, but the accomplishment Gardner finished Friday may have even more significance.
The standout cornerback graduated college, receiving his undergraduate degree in interdisciplinary studies, completing a promise he made to his mother, Alisa, when he left Cincinnati a year early to enter the NFL draft.
“I feel like that was the one box I hadn’t checked,” he said after practice on Saturday. “Now I could say I really made it.”
Gardner spent the offseason earning his degree, which required six classes. He said he had to write papers — lots of papers. He was also able to obtain credits through community events with his foundation, the Sauce Gardner Family Foundation.
After a sensational rookie year, Gardner never considered putting it off. His mother was against him going pro early, but he assured her he would finish college after his rookie season. Gardner doesn’t go out much, so it wasn’t as if it would get in the way of partying.
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t do none of that,” he said. “Everybody always hears from the athlete, like ‘Yeah, I’m going to get it, trust me.’ I told her I was going to get it. I said I was going to do it after my first season, and it all made sense. I achieved what I wanted to achieve my first season. So I feel that all I needed, the signs I needed.”
Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said the fact Gardner completed his degree has him thinking about doing the same. To head coach Robert Saleh, it is symbolic of the focus, discipline and determination Gardner has displayed as a player. He set a goal for himself and reached it.
“I think it’s great, because he’s doing it for generations. He’s not just doing it for himself, which is awesome,” Saleh said. “But there’s so many young kids that look up to him, there’s family that’s going to come after him, his kids God willing one day. I think it just signifies so much about what he’s been able to achieve and what he can still achieve as he goes forward in his career.”
Gardner had the option of spending the ceremony in a suite, but that didn’t interest him. He wanted to be like the other students graduating. So he sat in the crowd at the on-campus Fifth Third Arena and took selfies with other Cincinnati students. One person next to him had on a Jets jersey under a gown. Others told him they were either Gardner fans or Jets fans because of him.
“I wanted to go down there, so it felt even more real,” Gardner said. “My parents, my family, could look down, see me sitting there. I’m not going to lie, it felt like a game day a little bit. I was a little anxious, I didn’t know what to expect. It was a true blessing.”
He added: “It was cool, just being able to feel regular like a student. They didn’t overdo it. Yeah, there were a lot of people looking. Those conversations were great conversations. I made a lot of people’s day.”
Afterward, his family threw him a graduation party, one of the things he missed out on by leaving early for the NFL. It was a memorable experience. The only downside was that he nearly missed his flight back to New Jersey. It would’ve been worth it.
“Getting a degree, that’s one of one,” he said. “The time in which I did, getting my degree, I feel like that’s at the top.”
"Sauce" - Google News
August 06, 2023 at 11:32AM
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Sauce Gardner on why graduating was so important: 'one box I hadn't checked' - New York Post
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