Rashad Jennings

Running back Rashad Jennings began his NFL career as a backup for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders before enjoying three seasons as a regular starter for the New York Giants. Born in 1985, Jennings was a self-described '270 lb chubby kid with glasses' who was seriously hospitalized with asthma aged 13. After improving his health, fitness and grades, he joined his Jefferson Forest High School football team as a fifth-string running back and later moved to Lynchburg Christian Academy where he was a two-time All-VISAA Division II selection. Following a brief stint at Pittsburgh University, Jennings transferred to his home state's Liberty University to be closer to his ailing father who eventually lost both his legs through diabetes. Having been coached during the 2009 Senior Bowl by the Jacksonville Jaguars staff, Jennings was then selected as a seventh-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, going on to score his first touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. In contrast to his encouraging first season, Jennings' second and third were blighted by injury, and in 2013 he signed with the Oakland Raiders to provide backup for Darren McFadden. Jennings actually ended up starting eight games due to McFadden's persistent hamstring injury, finishing the season with 733 rushing yards on 163 carries and six touchdowns. This impressive display inspired the New York Giants to offer him a four-year $14 million contract in 2014. After starting nine games in his debut season with the franchise, Jennings became an ever-present the following year, setting career highs in rushing and receiving yards, carries and receiving touchdowns. However, he was unable to sustain this form in the 2016 season and in 2017 Jennings was released by the Giants. Later that same year Jennings followed in the footsteps of several other NFL stars when he joined the season 24 cast of "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005-) where he was partnered with British dancer Emma Slater; Jennings won the competition.