BIOGRAPHY
Melvin Gordon III was born April 13, 1993, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is a running back in the NFL.
Gordon decided to go play college football at the University of Wisconsin. At Wisconsin, Gordon briefly held the NCAA Division I FBS single-game rushing yards record with 408 yards, set playing in three quarters against Nebraska in November 2014, until it was broken the following week by Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine against Kansas with 427 yards. He became the second all-time single-season rusher in FBS history with 2,587 yards, falling 41 yards shy of Barry Sander's record of 2,628 yards set in 1988.
Gordon was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 1st round as the 15th pick overall and he began his career as the starting back for the Chargers' season opener, ahead of veterans Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver. On September 13, 2015, he received his first career start against the Detroit Lions and finished the season opener with 14 carries, 51 rushing yards, three receptions, 16 receiving yards, and lost a fumble in the 33–28 victory. The next week, he carried the ball 16 times for a season-high 88 yards and made a 10-yard reception in a 24–19 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 2016, Gordon III earned his first career Pro Bowl selection after starting 11-of-13 games played and Rushed 254 times for 997 yards (3.9 avg.) with 10 touchdowns in addition to posting 41 receptions for 419 yards (10.2 avg.) with two touchdowns.
In 2017, Gordon III started all 16 contests, collecting 1,105 yards with eight touchdowns on 284 rushes (3.9 avg.) and 476 yards with four touchdowns on 58 receptions (8.2 avg.). He was voted AFC Offensive Player of the Week after carrying 20 times for 105 yards (5.3 avg.)
In 2018, Gordon III started all 12 regular-season games played and two postseason contests, earning his second career Pro Bowl honor. He recorded 175 carries for 885 yards (5.1 avg.) and 50 receptions for 490 yards (9.8 avg.) with 14 total touchdowns (10 rush; 4 rec.)
In 2019, Gordon III started all 12 games played, collecting 612 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 162 attempts (3.8 avg.) along with 296 yards and one touchdown on 42 receptions. After a long and successful Chargers career, he was signed in free agency by the Denver Broncos on 3/20/20.
In his first year with the Broncos, he rushed 215 times for 986 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Overall, Gordon finished the 2020 season with 215 carries for 986 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns to go along with 32 receptions for 158 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Gordon led the team in all major rushing categories.
Gordon was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad on November 29, 2022. Gordon joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.