Meet Melvin

Melvin Gordon III was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin to a loving, close-knit family. Inspired by the Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles and Dragon Ball Z, Melvin understood the power of physical strength at a young age, even using his closet rod as a pull-up bar. When his father, Melvin Gordon, Jr., put him in football at age 9, young Melvin found his calling. As soon as he said, “Dad, I want to run the ball,” the journey began. From setting up a weight room in the basement to studying clips of Barry Sanders and Walter Payton, Melvin and his father spent countless hours charting the transformation from a skinny kid with heart to the powerhouse athlete we know today.

By the time he began high school, Melvin was a self-proclaimed gym freak. Pushed by a friendship with teammate and future NFL player Trae Waynes, Melvin became faster and stronger, gaining 30 pounds of muscle between his freshman and sophomore years. With that work ethic behind him, Melvin assured his mother, Carmen, that he would earn a Division 1 scholarship. His senior year, Melvin defied all expectations, rushing for 2,009 yards with 38 touchdowns his senior year. He was named Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year.

True to his word, after high school, Melvin joined the Badgers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a four-star recruit. There, he built a career for the ages, winning two Big Ten Championships, smashing records and earning major accolades.  In 2012, Gordon shredded defenses for 10 yards per carry. He followed that up with 1,609 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing as a sophomore. Spurred by his father’s encouragement that he could be the best running back ever, Melvin racked up an incredible 2,587 yards and 29 scores in 2014, becoming the second all-time single-season rusher in FBS history. These performances earned him the Doak Walker Award, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Running Back of the Year and runner-up for the coveted Heisman Trophy.

In 2015, Melvin was drafted #15 by the then San Diego Chargers. After a slow start and a season-ending injury, Melvin enlisted the help of his idol Adrian Peterson to get back on track. And the workouts paid off. In 2016, Gordon captured the Chargers’ top running back spot and he didn’t look back. Since then, Melvin notched a hallmark 1,000 yard season (and another that was just 3 yards shy!), was named to two Pro Bowls, and helped lead a playoff run.

Today, at just 27, Melvin is embarking on a new chapter with the Denver Broncos. And he’s ready to set the league on fire again. Because if there’s one thing you’ll learn about Melvin, he never settles. As he puts it, “I always want to be better. I want to be the best back there is..”