Sheldon Richardson
NFL defensive tackle and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Sheldon Adam Richardson, a former defensive tackle, played in the NFL for the New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota Vikings (with two stints for the Vikings). He played college football at Missouri and was a first-round pick by the Jets in the 2013 draft.
Quick Facts
- Number
- 91, 93, 98, 90
- Position
- Defensive tackle
- Born
- 29 November 1990
- Birthplace
- St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
- High school
- Gateway Tech (St. Louis)
- College
- Missouri (2011–2012)
- Draft year
- 2013
- Draft round
- 1
Facts from the source article.
Early life
He attended Gateway Institute of Technology High School, where he played football, recording 88 tackles and 19 sacks, and also lettered in baseball, basketball, and track. USA Today recognized him as a high school All-American, and Rivals.com rated him the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 4 overall player nationally.
College career
Richardson spent two years at the College of the Sequoias before transferring to the University of Missouri, playing for coach Gary Pinkel in 2011 and 2012. He announced he would enter the NFL draft after his junior season. He finished 2012 tied for second on the team with 75 tackles, leading all SEC defensive tackles, and added 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
Professional career
Projected as a first-round pick, Richardson attended the NFL combine but skipped the short shuttle and three-cone drill due to a hip injury. At Missouri's pro day, he performed those drills for scouts from 17 teams. The New York Jets selected him 13th overall in the 2013 draft, the first defensive tackle taken, using a pick acquired from Tampa Bay for Darrelle Revis. He signed a four-year, $10.05 million fully guaranteed contract. As a rookie, he started 15 of 16 games, making 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two rushing touchdowns, becoming the first NFL defensive lineman to score a rushing touchdown since B. J. Raji in 2011. He won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, receiving 23 votes to Kiko Alonso's 19, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Personal life
In July 2015, Richardson was arrested in St. Charles County, Missouri for resisting arrest and traffic violations after reportedly street racing at over 140 mph and evading police. A loaded handgun was found under his seat, and three others in the car smelled of marijuana, but he faced no drug or child endangerment charges due to insufficient evidence. In January 2016, he was found guilty of reckless driving and resisting arrest, fined $1,050, given two years of probation, and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.
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