History of Alvin Kamara in Timeline

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Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara is a highly accomplished American football running back currently playing for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL. After transferring from Hutchinson Community College, he played college football at the University of Tennessee. Drafted by the Saints in 2017, Kamara quickly made his mark, earning the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons and is a two-time second-team All-Pro. A notable achievement includes tying an NFL record with six rushing touchdowns in a single game in 2020. In 2024, he became the Saints' all-time leading rusher.

1980: Most Yards per Rush Since 1980

In 2017, Alvin Kamara's 6.07 yards per rush was the most ever by an NFL rookie and the third most by any NFL player since 1980.

1986: First Player Since Herschel Walker to Achieve Milestone

During a Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, Alvin Kamara became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 to compile 500 rushing and receiving yards in his first 11 career games.

1989: Breaking Chuck Webb's All-Purpose Yard Record

In 2016, Alvin Kamara broke a school record of 312 all-purpose yards, surpassing Chuck Webb's record set in 1989.

July 25, 1995: Alvin Kamara Born

On July 25, 1995, Alvin Mentian Kamara was born. He would grow up to become a professional football running back.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Ranking Behind Barry Sanders

In 2017, Alvin Kamara's 6.07 yards per rush ranked behind Barry Sanders, who had 6.13 in 1997.

2010: Ranking Behind Jamaal Charles

In 2017, Alvin Kamara's 6.07 yards per rush ranked behind Jamaal Charles, who had 6.38 in 2010.

2011: Junior Year Football Success

In 2011, as a junior at Norcross High School, Alvin Kamara rushed for 1,300 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.

2012: Top Ranking as a Running Back Prospect

In 2012, Alvin Kamara was highly ranked as a running back prospect, securing the No. 1 all-purpose back position in the 247Composite, No. 5 player in Georgia, and No. 42 player nationally.

2012: Senior Year Football Success and State Championship

In 2012, as a senior, Alvin Kamara rushed for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns and led his high school to its first state championship.

2013: Under Armour All-America Game Selection

In 2013, Alvin Kamara was chosen to participate in the Under Armour All-America Game.

2014: Transfer to Hutchinson Community College

In 2014, Alvin Kamara transferred from Alabama to Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and rushed for 1,253 yards with 18 touchdowns in nine games.

September 5, 2015: Tennessee Debut

On September 5, 2015, Alvin Kamara debuted for Tennessee against Bowling Green at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, accounting for 144 yards and two touchdowns. His 144 rushing yards set a school record for most rushing yards in a debut game.

2015: Outback Bowl victory

In 2015, Tennessee finished with a 9-4 record and qualified for the Outback Bowl against #12 Northwestern. Kamara had 53 rushing yards and a touchdown. He accounted for 698 yards with seven rushing touchdowns in the entire season.

2016: Decision to Enter NFL Draft

At the end of the 2016 season, Alvin Kamara decided to forgo his redshirt senior season and enter the 2017 NFL draft.

2016: Key Contributor for Volunteers and School Record

In 2016, Alvin Kamara was a key contributor for the Volunteers. He set a school record with 312 all-purpose yards against #8 Texas A&M. He finished third in the SEC in touchdowns.

December 19, 2017: Pro Bowl Selection

On December 19, 2017, Alvin Kamara was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie alongside Mark Ingram II, marking the first time a team had two running backs selected in the same year.

2017: NFL Debut

In 2017, Alvin Kamara debuted for the New Orleans Saints during the season opener against the Vikings on Monday Night Football.

2017: Record-Breaking Rookie Season

In 2017, Alvin Kamara had a record-breaking rookie season with 728 rushing yards and 826 receiving yards. He and Ingram became the first running back duo in NFL history to each have over 1,500 scrimmage yards in the same season.

2017: Drafted by New Orleans Saints and NFL Rookie of the Year

In 2017, Alvin Kamara was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the NFL draft. That same year, he was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.

2017: Drafted by the Saints

In 2017, Alvin Kamara was selected by the Saints in the third round with the 67th overall pick in the NFL Draft.

2017: Playoff Qualification

In 2017, the Saints finished atop the NFC South with an 11-5 record and qualified for the playoffs. Kamara was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the Pro Bowl and All-Rookie Team.

2018: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2018, Alvin Kamara finished his second professional season with impressive stats and was named to the Pro Bowl.

2018: Started as Main Running Back

In 2018, Alvin Kamara started the season as the Saints' main running back due to Mark Ingram II's suspension.

2018: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2018, Alvin Kamara was ranked #20 by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list, following his spectacular rookie season in 2017.

2019: NFC Championship Game Loss

During the NFC Championship Game against the Rams in 2019, Alvin Kamara had 8 carries for 15 yards and 11 receptions for 96 yards in the 26-23 controversial overtime loss.

2019: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2019, Alvin Kamara had 171 carries for 797 yards and five touchdowns, along with 81 receptions for 533 yards and a touchdown in 14 games and nine starts. He made his third Pro Bowl in as many professional seasons.

2020: Exceptional Season

In 2020, Alvin Kamara had a stellar regular season with 187 carries for 932 yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 83 receptions for 756 yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns. He tied for second-most rushing touchdowns in the NFL and led the league in total touchdowns. Kamara also became the first player in NFL history to record at least 500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons.

2020: Tied NFL Record

In 2020, Alvin Kamara tied the NFL record by scoring six rushing touchdowns in a single game, becoming only the second player in NFL history to achieve this milestone.

2020: NFL Top 100 Ranking

In 2020, Alvin Kamara was ranked 42nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players.

January 1, 2021: COVID-19 List Placement

On January 1, 2021, Alvin Kamara was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, forcing him to miss Week 17 against the Panthers.

January 9, 2021: Activated from COVID-19 list

On January 9, 2021, Alvin Kamara was activated from the COVID-19 list and subsequently played in the Wild Card Round against the Bears.

February 2021: Big Squeezy sponsored NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas

In February 2021, Kamara's juice and smoothie chain, Big Squeezy, sponsored NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Ryan Vargas and his No. 6 JD Motorsports car in the Super Start Batteries 188 at the Daytona International Speedway Road Course.

June 20, 2021: Named NASCAR Growth and Engagement Advisor

On June 20, 2021, Alvin Kamara was named NASCAR Growth and Engagement Advisor after becoming interested in the sport due to its racial justice activism.

2021: Emergency Quarterback

As of 2021, Alvin Kamara also serves as the Saints' emergency quarterback.

February 6, 2022: Arrested for battery in Las Vegas

On February 6, 2022, Alvin Kamara was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center for battery resulting in substantial bodily harm following an incident at a Las Vegas nightclub the night prior. He was later ordered to pay restitution and undergo community service.

August 4, 2023: Suspended for violating personal conduct policy

On August 4, 2023, Alvin Kamara was suspended for three games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy due to his involvement in a physical altercation dating back to February 2022.

October 22, 2024: Signed contract extension

On October 22, 2024, Alvin Kamara signed a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension.