Per GoBearcats:
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 by 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.
