Giovani Bernard is a running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Bernard played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was a high school teammate with NFL safety Lamarcus Joyner. Considered one of the best running backs in Florida, Bernard ended up attending North Carolina University after originally committing to Notre Dame. Drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Bernard has been one of the best pass catching running backs in the NFL since he joined the league. Primarily working as a backup running back, Bernard has shown his ability to be a starting running at times when having to fill in for injured Joe Mixon and other teammates.
Bernard played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He averaged 7.3 yards per rush throughout his high school career. According to Rivals.com, Bernard was a four-star recruit and the #2 running back in Florida.
After originally committing to Notre Dame, Bernard eventually decided to attend the University of North Carolina. In 2010, Bernard tore his ACL in practice prior to the start of the season, resulting in him redshirting. He began the following season as the team’s starting running back.
Bernard became the first North Carolina running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season since 1997. He also led freshmen in rushing yards per game. In 2012, Bernard finished third in the country with 198.1 all-purpose yards per game. In two seasons at North Carolina, Bernard finished with 2,481 rushing yards, 852 receiving yards and 33 total touchdowns.
Bernard was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft with the 37th overall pick. He played in all 16 games his rookie season, working primarily as the back-up to Benjarvus Green-Ellis and as the primary receiving back. He finished his rookie season with 695 rushing yards, 514 receiving yards and eight combined touchdowns.
Bernard’s second season was similar to his first in the NFL. He totaled 680 rushing yards, 349 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns. In his third season, Bernard set a career-high with 730 rushing yards on 154 attempts (4.7 YPC). His 730 rushing yards that season are still a career high through the 2020 season.
After playing in just 10 games in 2016 due to a torn ACL, Bernard rebounded by playing in all 16 games in 2017. However, he had his worst statistical season, excluding his injury-shortened season in 2016.
Things continued to get worse for Bernard statistically. His numbers dropped dramatically in 2018 and then even further in 2019. He rushed just 53 times for 170 yards (both career lows) and caught just 30 passes (also career low) for 234 yards. He had no touchdowns in 2019.
In 2020 Bernard saw a bit of a resurgence. While he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry, the second-worst mark of his career, he rushed 121 times for 409 yards thanks to an injury to starting running back Joe Mixon. He also caught 47 passes for 355 yards and totaled six touchdowns.
Giovani Bernard signed a two-year deal worth $9.7 million. He is set to earn $4.1 million in 2021. Bernard has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Giovani Bernard was born in West Palm Beach Florida, to Yvens and Jossette Bernard, who were both Haitin immigrants. He is the younger brother of former Oregon State running back Yvenson Bernard. He is married to Chloe Call.
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