Sheldon Richardson

BIOGRAPHY

Sheldon Adam Richardson was born on November 29th, 1990 in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a defensive tackle in the NFL.

He attended Gateway Institute of Technology high school, where Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 4 overall player (any position) in the nation, as well as being the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the country by several national outlets. As a senior, he recorded 88 tackles and 19 quarterback sacks, while adding seven fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, and one interception. He also scored six defensive touchdowns on the year, as well, while adding 27 receptions for 541 yards and eight touchdowns at the tight end position; he lettered in baseball, basketball, and track.

He played college football at the College of the Sequoias. Rivals.com ranked him as the No. Three junior college prospect in the nation at any position; he redshirted in 2010. He transferred to the University of Missouri as a sophomore and played for Coach Gary Pinkel's. During the 2011 season, he 37 tackles, including 8.0 TFLs and 2 QB sacks in 13 games (including two starts).

He announced on November 30th, 2012 that he would enter the NFL Draft. The New York Jets selected Richardson in the first round (13th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft; As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and started the final 15 for the Jets.

He was named AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, named Rookie of the Month for November, and received All-Rookie Team honors. He totaled 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble; he added two rushing touchdowns on offense.

In 2014 he started all 16 games for the first time in his career and was selected to the Pro Bowl following the season; he tallied 67 total tackles with a career-high eight sacks. In 2015 he started all 11 games he appeared; he finished second on the team with five sacks. He registered 35 tackles on the year with a pair of pass breakups and forced fumbles.

In 2016 he played in 15 games, starting 14 and finished the season with 62 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. On September 1st, 2017, Richardson was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. During the 2017 season, he started in 15 games and recorded 44 tackles (27 solo), tied a career-high two fumble recoveries, and registered his first career interception.

On March 16th, 2018, Richardson signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings; he started all 16 games and finishing with 62 total tackles (43 solo) and 4.5 sacks.

On March 14th, 2019, the Cleveland Browns signed Richardson to a three-year contract. 

Richardson returned to the Minnesota Vikings after signing a one-year contract on June 15, 2021.