Rashad Andre Jennings (born March 26, 1985) is an American former professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Liberty Flames. His journey to the NFL began when he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft.
Early Life and High School Career
Jennings began his high school career at Jefferson Forest High School in Forest, Virginia. Initially, he was a fifth-string running back and did not play in a game until the final game of his junior year. Describing himself as a "270 lb. chubby kid with asthma and glasses," Jennings' opportunity arose when the first four running backs ahead of him on the depth chart suffered injuries. His coach also attempted to play a wide receiver at running back. During his first opportunity, Jennings ran for a 30-yard touchdown. Following this with a 40-yard rushing touchdown and two defensive touchdowns, Jennings caught the attention of a scout from the University of Tennessee who had come to see the starting running back. Upon learning of Jennings' 0.6 GPA, the scout encouraged him, stating, "Son, you have potential..."
After this encouragement, Rashad transferred to Lynchburg Christian Academy (LCA). His older brothers, who had begun coaching at LCA the year before, used their coaching stipends to help pay for his tuition, as Rashad could not afford it himself. At LCA, he began to lose weight and focus on his studies after having to repeat his junior year.
College Football Journey
Jennings commenced his college career at Pittsburgh in 2005, becoming the fourth true freshman running back to start for the team. However, in the spring of 2006, Jennings transferred to Liberty, then a Division I-FCS program, to be closer to his family. During his time at Liberty, Jennings set a Big South Conference record with 3,633 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
NFL Career
Jacksonville Jaguars (2009-2012)
Jennings was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with the team. In Week 14 of the 2010 season, Jennings recorded five carries for 109 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Raiders. In Week 17, he had 22 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Texans. In the 2010 season, he appeared in 13 games and made three starts. Jennings was placed on injured reserve in September 2011 after suffering a concussion, and later that season, the Jaguars dealt for a cornerback, indicating his status on the team. In August 2012, he was named the Jaguars' Week 1 starter, but by December, he and Cecil Shorts were placed on injured reserve.
Oakland Raiders (2013)
Jennings was signed by the Oakland Raiders on April 11, 2013. He began the 2013 season as the backup to starter Darren McFadden. McFadden's frequent injuries throughout the season led to Jennings starting eight games in his place. His 2013 game log shows consistent contributions, including significant yardage in games against the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs.
New York Giants (2014-2016)
On March 12, 2014, Jennings signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the New York Giants, which included $3 million guaranteed. He quickly established himself as the starter, beginning nine of the 11 games he played in. In 2015, Jennings started all 16 games and achieved career highs in carries, rushing yards, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He recorded 863 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 195 carries, along with 296 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on 29 receptions. This performance led to him being ranked as one of the best NFL running backs in 2015.
In 2016, Jennings played in 13 games, rushing for 593 yards on 181 carries and scoring three touchdowns, which was his lowest rushing total since 2013. The Giants parted ways with him in February 2017.
Rashad Jennings' 170 yard Rushing Performance | Eagles vs. Giants | NFL Week 17 Highlights
Post-Football Career and Ventures
Rashad Jennings officially retired as a Giant in December 2017, concluding his eight-year NFL career. Beyond football, Jennings has pursued a variety of interests and endeavors.
Dancing with the Stars
In 2016, Jennings participated in the American TV series "Dancing with the Stars." He was partnered with professional dancer Emma Slater and went on to win the competition in Season 24 (2017). He later returned as a relay dance partner for Elaine Hendrix in Season 34 to celebrate the show's twentieth anniversary.
The Rashad Jennings Foundation
Jennings is the founder of the Rashad Jennings Foundation, an organization dedicated to inspiring youth by making education engaging, providing mentorship for individual success, and promoting health and fitness. In 2016, his reading challenge saw 30,000 children participate, collectively reading over 167,000 books. He is also recognized as a children's literacy advocate, having released books in "The Coin Slot Chronicles" series.
Media Appearances and Other Projects
Jennings has made guest appearances on television shows, including an episode of the STARZ series "Power" in 2016. He has also been featured on shows like "Talk Show the Game Show" and "Great News." In 2019, he was featured on "Catfish," where he offered relationship advice. He has also been involved with Fan Controlled Football and has had humorous moments captured on shows like "Wheel of Fortune."