Mendenhall fumbled once more in the Steelers final pre-season game, but worked with running backs coach Kirby Wilson to fix the problem. Days after the game, teammate Hines Ward placed a ball in Mendenhall's locker with a note stating, "Take Mendenhall's ball away and get $100 from him." Mendenhall was required to carry the ball everywhere he went until the team's next game. Mendenhall fumbled twice in Pittsburgh's third pre-season game against Minnesota they were attributed to adjusting to the faster pace of the NFL. He was expected to be a complement to Pro-Bowl running back Willie Parker, in addition to returning kicks. On July 25, 2008, Mendenhall agreed to a five-year contract worth US$12.55 million with the Steelers, of which $7.125 million is guaranteed. Prior to his rookie season Mendenhall was ranked by ESPN as the 30th best running back in the league. Mendenhall was drafted in the first round with the 23rd overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2008 NFL Draft.
#R steelers professional#
Professional career Pre-draft measurables On April 24, 2008, Mendenhall made a guest appearance on The Best Damn Sports Show Period in a segment called Best Damn Rookie Hazing, along with former Oklahoma wide receiver Malcolm Kelly. Mendenhall was on the cover of Sporting News' High School Football Magazine. Throughout the 13 game season, he also had 318 yards receiving and two touchdowns on 34 receptions. Throughout his final season with the Illini, Mendenhall rushed for a then school record 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added 164 yards receiving and a touchdown, with 12 receptions. In 2006, Mendenhall nearly tripled his rushing total, gaining 640 yards and scoring five touchdowns. His first season was in 2005, during which he rushed for 218 yards on 48 carries, adding 82 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Mendenhall played for the University of Illinois football team. Following his high school career, Mendenhall played in the 2005 U.S. In his last year, he averaged 9.1 yards per carry, rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 1,832 yards and 19 touchdowns, while averaging 11.6 yards per carry. He recorded 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns as a sophomore. As a five-star prospect, he was also rated the best recruit in the state of Illinois by. Mendenhall attended Niles West High School and Lincoln Jr. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he later played one season. He played college football at Illinois and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Rashard Jamal Mendenhall (born June 19, 1987) is a former American football running back and current television writer who played in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons. Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2007).Mendenhall with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009
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