History of Sauce Gardner in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 4, 2025

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is a prominent American football cornerback currently playing for the New York Jets in the NFL. He gained recognition during his college career with the Cincinnati Bearcats before being drafted fourth overall by the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft. Notably, Gardner earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and achieved first-team All-Pro honors, distinguishing himself as the first rookie cornerback to receive this recognition since 1981.

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Full Timeline

1981: Ronnie Lott Named First-Team All-Pro

In 1981, Ronnie Lott was the last rookie cornerback to be named first-team All-Pro before Sauce Gardner achieved the same recognition.

August 31, 2000: Sauce Gardner's Birth

On August 31, 2000, Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner was born. He is now a professional football cornerback for the New York Jets.

Others born on this day/year

2013: Dee Milliner Drafted

In 2013, Dee Milliner was drafted in the first round (ninth overall) and had been the highest drafted cornerback in the Jets' franchise history until Sauce Gardner was drafted.

December 15, 2014: No Event

There is no mention of an event happening on December 15, 2014.

2019: Freshman Season

In 2019, during his true freshman season, Gardner played in 11 games, recorded 31 tackles and three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 11 passes defended, and eight pass breakups. He was named to the American Athletic Conference first-team.

2020: Named Starter

In 2020, Gardner began the season as a starter on the depth chart.

2021: All-America Team and AAC Defensive Player of the Year

In 2021, Gardner was voted to the 2021 College Football All-America Team and named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year. He helped Cincinnati become the first Group of Five team to reach the College Football Playoff.

May 7, 2022: Signed Rookie Contract with the Jets

On May 7, 2022, Sauce Gardner signed a four-year, $33.45 million fully-guaranteed rookie contract with the New York Jets, including a $21.50 million signing bonus.

September 11, 2022: Professional Regular Season Debut

On September 11, 2022, Sauce Gardner made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start in the New York Jets' home-opener against the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded two solo tackles and one pass deflection during a 9–24 loss.

October 9, 2022: First Career Interception

On October 9, 2022, Sauce Gardner made five combined tackles, one pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass by Teddy Bridgewater to River Cracraft during a 40–17 victory against the Miami Dolphins.

November 6, 2022: Intercepted Pass by Josh Allen

On November 6, 2022, Sauce Gardner made seven combined tackles, one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt thrown by Josh Allen to Gabriel Davis during a 20–17 win against the Buffalo Bills.

2022: Declared for the NFL Draft

Following the 2021 season, Gardner declared for the 2022 NFL draft.

2022: Partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings

In 2022, Sauce Gardner partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings to endorse "Sauce Sauce", a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce.

2022: Drafted by the New York Jets

In 2022, Sauce Gardner was selected by the New York Jets in the first round (fourth overall) of the NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted cornerback in the Jets' franchise history.

2022: Selected by the New York Jets in the NFL Draft

In 2022, Sauce Gardner was selected fourth overall in the NFL draft by the New York Jets.

October 14, 2023: Placed in Concussion Protocol

On October 14, 2023, the Jets announced that they chose to place Gardner in concussion protocol, making him inactive for the Week 6 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

2023: Pro Bowl and NFL Top 100 Selection

In 2023, Sauce Gardner was selected for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and was named a first-team All-Pro. He was ranked 23rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.

September 9, 2024: First Career Sack

On September 9, 2024, Sauce Gardner started in the New York Jets' season-opener at the San Francisco 49ers and had three combined tackles, made one pass deflection, and had his first career sack on Deebo Samuel for a four–yard loss during a 19–32 loss.

October 8, 2024: Jets Fired Head Coach Robert Saleh

On October 8, 2024, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after beginning the season with a 2-3 record and appointed defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich the interim head coach for the remaining 12 games.