Ahmad Bradshaw

Ahmad Bradshaw was born in Bluefield, Virginia to Diana Davis and James Bradshaw, and played high school football, basketball and ran track at Graham High School. He was ranked as the #7 player in Virginia and the #28 cornerback prospect in the country by Rivals.com. He rushed for 2,282 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior and 2,557 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior, totaling 5,265 yards and 92 touchdowns while averaging nearly ten yards a carry for his high school career. He earned All-Virginia honors and was named VHSL AA Player of the Year.

Bradshaw was also on the Graham High track & field team, where he competed as a sprinter and jumper. In sprints, he recorded times of 6.75 seconds in the 55 metres and 11.34 seconds in the 100 meters. In jumping events, he got a personal-best leap of 1.80 meters in the high jump.{{Cite web |url=https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/ahmad-bradshaw-387/ |title=Ahmad Bradshaw | Army QB |access-date=October 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023503/https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/ahmad-bradshaw-387/ |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Bradshaw originally signed a letter of intent to Virginia and arrived in Charlottesville for football practice, but was kicked off the team by Al Groh before his first season started, after being arrested for underage drinking and running from police.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=26533&pid=1423 |title=The Cavalier Daily |access-date=November 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060619002813/http://cavalierdaily.com/CVarticle.asp?ID=26533&pid=1423 |archive-date=June 19, 2006 |url-status=dead }} He then enrolled at Marshall University, where his college career would result in his induction into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw (2017) - Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame |url=https://herdzone.com/honors/marshall-athletics-hall-of-fame/ahmad-bradshaw/1 |website=Marshall University Athletics |access-date=November 23, 2024 |language=en}}

With the Thundering Herd, Bradshaw only had 462 yards and three touchdowns in his freshman season in 2004,[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10DF9618EDFA9588&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM dallasnews.com | Archives] but also totaled 187 yards receiving on 14 receptions for two touchdowns. He missed two games that season, the Georgia and Miami games, due to an ankle sprain sustained during a stellar fourth quarter performance at Ohio State. He also recorded nine punt returns for 108 yards and 15 kick returns for 322 yards as a freshman. Bradshaw rushed for a then career-high 145 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown run, in just eight first half carries against Western Michigan. His other signature performance of the season came against Kansas State University, when he took a screen pass 75-yards for a score.

Bradshaw rushed for 997 yards{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/10693/ahmad-bradshaw|title=Ahmad Bradshaw Stats|website=Espn.com|access-date=November 10, 2021}} and totaled 1,382 all-purpose yards en route to becoming a second-team All-Conference USA selection as a sophomore in 2005. He was the team's leading rusher and receiver as well. In the season-opener against William & Mary, Bradshaw rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown with 73 yards and a score receiving. He rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown in the loss to #3 Virginia Tech. He followed it up with a then career-high 133 yards against the University of Texas at El Paso and eclipsed the mark the following week in the Herd's overtime loss to Southern Miss with 150 yards and a score. Bradshaw's best performance came against East Carolina, when he rushed for a season and career-high 187 yards with two touchdowns along with 51 yards on eight receptions. He added a season-long 56-yard run against ECU as well.

Bradshaw's best season of his college career came as a junior in 2006, when he totaled 1,523 yards rushing, for 19 touchdowns, and 129 receiving yards for two scores. He was eighth in the nation in rushing yardage and tied for third in rushing touchdowns. In the Herd's second game of the season against Hofstra, Bradshaw ran for 152 yards and four touchdowns. Against the University of Central Florida, he ran for 181 yards and a score. Bradshaw's first out of two 200-yard games of the season came two weeks later against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, when he rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Against UTEP, he rushed for career-highs of 261 yards and five touchdowns.

{{NFL predraft

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| vertical = 34

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| arm span = 31 1/2

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| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Scout Ahmad Bradshaw College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=33797&DraftYear=2007 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

Bradshaw was selected by the New York Giants in the seventh round with the 250th overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2007 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2007/draft.htm |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In his first two games, Bradshaw fumbled twice on kickoff returns. He was fourth in the National Football Conference with a 26.0-yard kickoff return average when the Giants replaced him with veteran Reuben Droughns. Bradshaw returned to returning kickoffs for the November 18 game against the Detroit Lions.

Injuries to teammates Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, and the disappointing play of Droughns, gave Bradshaw his first regular season carries against the Minnesota Vikings. He gained 29 yards on four carries in the game. On December 23, 2007, he scored his first NFL touchdown on an 88-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills. It was the third longest run in Giants history and the longest run of the 2007 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2007/12/24/2007-12-24_ahmad_bradshaw_brandon_jacobs_carry_the_.html|title=Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs carry the torch from Tiki Barber|website=Nydailynews.com|access-date=November 10, 2021}} He finished the game with a career-high 151 yards on 17 carries.{{Cite web |url=http://mvn.com/nfl-giants/category/current-giants-players/ahmad-bradshaw/ |title=Giants 101 {{!}} MVN - a New York Giants blog » Ahmad Bradshaw |access-date=December 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224095706/http://mvn.com/nfl-giants/category/current-giants-players/ahmad-bradshaw/ |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2007 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2007/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Bradshaw was used more frequently as a change of pace back to Jacobs during the Giants 2007 playoff run. He had a great performance in the NFC Championship game in Green Bay, including a 52-yard would-be touchdown run in the fourth quarter that was negated by a holding penalty.{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - New York Giants at Green Bay Packers - January 20th, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200801200gnb.htm |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He contributed greatly to his team's success in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots, gaining 45 yards (the most of all running backs) and even recovering a fumble by quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants went on to win the Super Bowl, defeating the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17−14, and ending their opponent's bid for a perfect 19–0 season.{{cite web | last=Battista | first=Judy | title=Giants Stun Patriots in Super Bowl XLII | website=The New York Times | date=2008-02-04 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/04/sports/football/04game.html#:~:text=But%20with%20their%20defense%20battering,undefeated%20Patriots%2C%2017-14. | access-date=2024-12-20}}

Bradshaw averaged 6.7 yards per carry as the third running back for the Giants in 2008.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2008 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2008/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was reduced to third string running back due to a strong performance by Derrick Ward, who finished the season with more than 1,000 rushing yards.{{Cite web |title=2008 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/2008.htm |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In 2009, Bradshaw was second string running back behind Brandon Jacobs with Derrick Ward's departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He rushed for a then career-high 778 yards and seven touchdowns on the season.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2009 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2009/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Bradshaw also had a career receiving long play of 55 yards.

Bradshaw was promoted to first-string running back ahead of Brandon Jacobs in 2010, due to Jacobs's disappointing 2009 season. After a two turnover game against the Eagles in Week 9, Bradshaw was demoted to make room for Brandon Jacobs's return. Bradshaw led the league in turnovers (for running backs) for most of the 2010 season.

Despite these obstacles, Bradshaw finished the season with career highs in rushing yards (1,235) and rushing touchdowns (8).{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2010 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2010/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In 2011, Bradshaw signed a four-year deal worth $18 million and $9 million guaranteed with a $5 million bonus. In Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, Bradshaw recorded three touchdowns in a 27−24 Giants win.{{Cite web |title=Buffalo Bills at New York Giants - October 16th, 2011 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201110160nyg.htm |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was benched for the first half of a game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 due to an alleged curfew violation.{{cite web | last=Schwartz | first=Paul | title=Ahmad benched by Giants for first half | website=New York Post | date=2011-12-12 | url=https://nypost.com/2011/12/12/ahmad-benched-by-giants-for-first-half/ | access-date=2024-12-20}} Bradshaw rushed for nine touchdowns during the season, a career-high mark.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2011 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2011/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Bradshaw scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning touchdown with a 6-yard run with 57 seconds remaining in Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots. The touchdown was unusual in that the Patriots permitted Bradshaw to score unopposed, to prevent the Giants from running out most of the remaining time before winning the game with a field goal. Bradshaw, aware of the Patriots' strategy, attempted to stop himself from crossing the goal line but fell backward into the end zone. The Patriots failed to score, however, and the Giants thus won 21−17.{{cite magazine | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_posnanski/02/06/super.bowl.xlvi/?xid=cnnbin | title=Bradshaw's Reluctant Touchdown puts to rest an unusual Super Bowl | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=February 6, 2012 | access-date=February 6, 2012 | author=Posnanski, Joe | archive-date=February 9, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209042357/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/joe_posnanski/02/06/super.bowl.xlvi/?xid=cnnbin | url-status=dead }}

File:Ahmad bradshaw 2012.jpg]]

Although Bradshaw mostly played along rookie David Wilson for the starting role, he had a fairly decent season. Bradshaw missed only two games due to injuries to his knee and foot. Despite having his minutes declining because of Wilson, He played in 14 games, had 221 rushing attempts, 1,015 rushing yards, and six touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2012 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2012/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} It was the second time in his career that Bradshaw had 1,000+ rushing yards (the first being in 2010). On October 7, during a Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns, Bradshaw carried the ball 30 times for 200 yards, with 1 touchdown, a 4-yard run; he also had 4 receptions for 29 yards, giving him 229 yards of total offense. The Giants would win against the Browns 41−27.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201210070nyg.htm |title=Cleveland Browns at New York Giants - October 7th, 2012 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en |access-date=December 7, 2017}}

Bradshaw was released by the Giants on February 6, 2013, to clear cap space and after the emergence of the rookie David Wilson.{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2013|agency=Associated Press |title=Giants Release Running Back Ahmad Bradshaw, Defensive Lineman Chris Canty |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/02/06/reports-giants-release-ahmad-bradshaw-chris-canty/ |access-date=February 6, 2013 |website=CBS News - New York}}

File:AhmadBradshaw camp2015.jpg

On June 11, 2013, Bradshaw signed with the Indianapolis Colts.{{cite web|title=Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts strike contract|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ahmad-bradshaw-indianapolis-colts-strike-contract-0ap1000000210970|date=June 11, 2013|access-date= June 11, 2013|author= Wesseling, Chris|website=NFL.com }} After an injury sustained in Week 3, Bradshaw was put on injured reserve due to needing neck surgery.{{cite news|work=NBCSports.com|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/08/ahmad-bradshaw-to-have-season-ending-neck-surgery/|title=Ahmad Bradshaw to have season-ending neck surgery|first=Mike|last=Wilkening|date=October 8, 2013|access-date=June 22, 2014}}

On March 11, 2014, Bradshaw reached a one-year agreement to re-sign with the Colts. Prior to his injury in Week 6, Bradshaw had a career-high six touchdown receptions, leading all NFL running backs, and was on pace to break Marshall Faulk's record of 9.{{cite web|work=ESPN.com|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/5660/colts-offseason-wrap-up|title=Colts offseason wrap-up|date=May 23, 2014|first=Mike|last=Wells|access-date=June 22, 2014}}{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/ahmad-bradshaw-returns-to-indianapolis-colts-0ap2000000333126|title=Ahmad Bradshaw returns to Indianapolis Colts|first=Gregg|last=Rosenthal|date=March 11, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014}}{{cite web|work=indystar.com|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2014/10/16/ahmad-bradshaw-looking-pretty-good-as-a-last-resort/17373281|title=Colts offense's ace in the hole|first=Zak|last=Keefer|date=October 18, 2014|access-date=October 14, 2015}} In the 2014 season, he finished with 90 carries for 425 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 38 receptions for 300 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Ahmad Bradshaw 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On October 14, 2015, Bradshaw agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Colts. On November 30, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a wrist injury.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.colts.com/2015/11/30/indianapolis-colts-make-roster-moves-122/|title=Indianapolis Colts make roster moves|work=blogs.colts.com|date=November 30, 2015|access-date=November 30, 2015|archive-date=December 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204050942/http://blogs.colts.com/2015/11/30/indianapolis-colts-make-roster-moves-122/|url-status=dead}} Bradshaw participated in The Spring League in April 2017.{{cite news|first1=Natalie |last1=Weiner |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2707260-in-the-shadow-of-dak-prescott-welcome-to-the-nfls-league-of-last-chances |title=In the Shadow of Dak Prescott: Welcome to the NFL's League of Last Chances |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=May 10, 2017 |access-date=August 29, 2017}}

In 2004, Bradshaw was dismissed from the football team at the University of Virginia after pleading guilty to underage drinking and resisting arrest. After police attempted to break up a party, he fled the scene in an effort to avoid them. The results were two misdemeanor convictions and a probationary sentence. Bradshaw never played a down for the Virginia Cavaliers.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/giants/2008-06-19-bradshaw_N.htm|title=Giants' Bradshaw in jail in Virginia for probation violation|work=USA Today|access-date=June 20, 2008 | first=Skip | last=Wood | date=June 20, 2008}}

During his junior year at Marshall University, Bradshaw was sentenced to two years probation for petty larceny. He stole a PlayStation from another student's dormitory room. Two years later in June 2008, he was sentenced to 60 days in Abingdon Regional Jail for violating probation for a sealed juvenile charge.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spgiants0620,0,4622322.story |title=Giants' Bradshaw jailed for 30 days in Virginia |publisher=NY Newsday |access-date=June 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622105425/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spgiants0620%2C0%2C4622322.story |archive-date=June 22, 2008 |url-status=live }} Bradshaw cut a deal in which he was able to serve his time in the off-season. In 2008, he served 29 days and reported to training camp on time. On February 15, 2009, he surrendered himself to Virginia authorities in order to finish the final 31 days of his sentence.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/02/17/2009-02-17_giants_running_back_ahmad_bradshaw_servi.html |title=Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw serving second 30-day jail term | location=New York | work=Daily News | first=Ralph | last=Vacchiano | date=February 17, 2009}}

Bradshaw also attended the party where wide receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh. Bradshaw was not aware Burress had a gun.{{Cite web |url=http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27968336/ |title=Burress faces 2 charges, bail set at $100,000 - NFL- nbcsports.MSNBC.com |access-date=April 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202025629/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/27968336/ |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=dead }}

On June 22, 2015, Bradshaw was suspended for one game by the NFL for violating the league's policy and program of substance abuse. Bradshaw was charged with possession of marijuana.{{cite web|title=Ex-New York Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw Facing One-Game Suspension|url=http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkgiants/2015/06/23/ex-new-york-giants-rb-ahmad-bradshaw-facing-one-game-suspension/|access-date=June 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623211626/http://www.sportsmedia101.com/newyorkgiants/2015/06/23/ex-new-york-giants-rb-ahmad-bradshaw-facing-one-game-suspension/|archive-date=June 23, 2015|url-status=dead}}

Bradshaw appeared on Onion SportsDome in 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/31/2622149/the-onion-peels-back-the-curtain.html |title=The Onion peels back the curtain on modern media in two promising new shows - KansasCity.com |access-date=February 9, 2011 |archive-date=February 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203011418/http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/31/2622149/the-onion-peels-back-the-curtain.html |url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://herdzone.com/sports/football/roster/ahmad-bradshaw/1888 Marshall Thundering Herd bio]
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{{Super Bowl XLVI}}

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Category:1986 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Bluefield, Virginia

Category:Players of American football from Virginia

Category:American football running backs

Category:Virginia Cavaliers football players

Category:Marshall Thundering Herd football players

Category:New York Giants players

Category:Indianapolis Colts players

Category:The Spring League players

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen