The professional American football player Barkevious Mingo has become an icon to many youngsters following his determination to achieve his dreams against all odds. He has fought his way to superstardom; thus earning a spot in the National Football League. Mingo was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the sixth overall selection during the NFL draft of 2013. He is currently playing the role of a defensive outside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He has also played for the New England Patriots with which he won the Super Bowl LI Championship in 2017.
Prior to his professional career, Mingo played college football with the LSU Tigers of Louisiana State University. While he was there, he was named to the All-SEC second-team twice and he also led the Tigers to clinch victory at the 2011 SEC Championship. Learn more about his bio, NFL career, family and other interesting facts below.
Barkevious Mingo’s Bio
The football star was born as Barkevious Levon Mingo in Belle Glade, Florida on October 4, 1990. He grew up in West Monroe, Louisiana where he attended West Monroe High School. Mingo was a three-sport athlete, he featured in basketball, football, as well as track and field events for his school team. He completed his high school football career under Coach Don Shows. He led the West Monroe High football team to victory at the state championship and he also participated in the US Army All-American Bowl in 2009.
Mingo distinguished himself as a track and field athlete; he was a 400-meter dash gold medalist at the 2008 Region I-5A Competitions. He was also part of the winning squad for 4 x 200 m and 4 x 400 m relay in the competition. At the end of his high school career, Mingo got a four-star rating from Scout.com and Rivals.com. He was named the 3rd best player in the State of Louisiana and fifth-best linebacker by Rivals.com.
Upon graduation, Barkevious Mingo enrolled at the Louisiana State University (LSU) where he continued his college career with the LSU Tigers. He played under the guidance of Coach Les Miles from 2009 to 2012. In his freshman year, he was redshirted; coming back the following year, Mingo featured in 13 games for the Tigers averaging 3.5 sacks per game and 35 tackles.
In the 2011 season, he notched 8 sacks and 47 tackles which earned him All-SEC Second-Team selection. He also led the Tigers to victory at the SEC Championship. In his junior year in 2012, he got All-SEC Second-Team honors after he notched 4.5 sacks per game, 12 quarterback hurries, and 38 tackles. At the end of the season, Mingo announced he would forgo his senior year so he could join the NFL draft of 2013.
NFL Career and Stats
During the NFL draft of 2013, Barkevious Mingo was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL draft. He was the sixth selection and the third defensive end player to be drafted in 2013. Playing for the Browns in the 2013 season, Mingo featured in 15 games, made five sacks, and defended four passes with 42 combined tackles. The following year, he hauled a total of two sacks and 42 tackles in 15 gameplay. He was converted to a backup outside linebacker and he finished the 2015 season with three tackles.
However, Mingo was traded by Browns to the New England Patriots; in exchange for a 2017 fifth round pick. He joined the Patriots in August 2016 and led the Patriots to win the Super Bowl LI competition in February 2017. The Patriots triumphed over the Atlanta Falcons with 34 – 28 score. At the end of the 2016 season, Mingo signed up with the Indianapolis Colts in a one-year contract worth $2.5 million. He hauled a total of two pass deflections, two sacks, and 47 combined tackles. After the 2017 season, he joined the Seattle Seahawks on a two-year contract for $6.8 million.
His Family
Barkevious was born to African-American parents Barbara Johnson and her husband Hugh Mingo. He has four siblings, two older brothers named Hughtavious and Hugh III; as well as two younger brothers named LaDarian Johnson and Malik Mingo. While they were growing up, his mother never wanted any of his kids to play contact games with the fear they would get hurt. Barkevious paid no heed to his mother’s decision however as he went behind her back to play football, basketball, and other track sports during his high school. Today his decision many years ago has brought him the opportunity of playing among the superstars in the National Football League.
During a news conference held at the Cleveland Browns HQ after the 2013 draft; Barkevious recalled how his mother never wanted him or any of his brothers to get involved in the game of football but right now she’s proud of the star her son has come to be. According to his mother, her son isn’t the one getting hurt but the one who enjoys eating the quarterbacks. His mother and girlfriend were present during his draft party. He has been in a relationship with his college sweetheart Lauren. Just like Mingo, Lauren also graduated from LSU in 2013.
His Height and Body Measurements
Barkevious Mingo is such a tall and explosive pass rusher; he stands at a height of 6 feet 4 inches and has a bodyweight of 241 pounds. He is also very strong at setting the edge over a run; his overall agility and length give him good coverage while in the field. In addition, he has an arm length of 33 ¾ inches and a hand of size 9 5/8 inches. Barkevious has black hair and brown eyes.
