Considered as one of the finest football players the National Football League (NFL) has ever produced, Devonta Freeman is an outstanding running back who plays with the badge of the Atlanta Falcons in the football league.
Freeman has been at his best from high school and remains one of the best running backs in the history of the oval leather game. The NFL star takes pride in his impressive career timeline which, as of 2017, has the following statistics – Rushing yards: 3,248, Receiving yards: 1,582, Rushing touchdowns: 30, Receiving touchdowns: 7, Rushing average: 4.3, and Receptions: 193.
For those fascinated by the professional and personal life of the football player, Wikiace presents to you all the facts you need to know about him.
Devonta Freeman Bio and Age
The Falcons running back was born to Lorraine Freeman (mother) and Alfonso Nails (father) on March 15, 1992, in Baxley, Georgia, in the United States. He owes his high school education to Miami Central High School, located in West Little River, in Florida. During his days at Miami, he was part of the school’s football team called the Rockets. In his junior year, he helped the team to win the Class 6A state championship held in 2010 and was listed as the MVP.
He is said to have gained 308 yards on 36 carries at the time while as a senior, Devonta featured in a Miami-Dade County leading 26 touchdowns and 2,208 yards, recording six touchdowns as well as 663 rushing yards in the last two games of the state playoffs.
Upon graduation, he was listed by Rivals.com as a 4-star recruit as well as the best running back in the nation. The footballer joined Florida State University in 2010 and formally started featuring for the college football team in 2011. He made his collegiate debut in a game against Louisiana-Monroe and recorded 69 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in the second game of his sophomore season, which ended with eight touchdowns and 111 carries for 660 yards.
Freeman’s 2013 season ended with career highs in 278 receiving yards, 1,016 rushing yards, as well as 15 touchdowns. The Baxley-born star entered the 2014 NFL Draft after he announced on January 11, 2014, that he would forego his senior season.
Devonta began his professional career in 2014 after he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the 103 overall in the fourth round in the 2014 NFL Draft. The footballer was the eighth running back selected in the draft that year. In his rookie season, the NFL star recorded 225 receiving yards on 30 receptions, 248 rushing yards on 65 carries, two receiving touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.
The year 2015 is considered his breakout season as he was listed as the third among NFL running backs in both receiving yards (578) and receptions (73) along with three receiving touchdowns, securing a spot for himself in the Pro Bowl and joining a Second-team All-Pro. In 2016, at an event organized to select top NFL players, Devonta was listed as the fifth-best running back by his fellow players and was also named as the 50th best player in the NFL.
Devonta Freeman continued to advance his performance in 2016, featuring in the Divisional Round, NFC Championship, and Super Bowl LI. He was listed as the sixth-best running back on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 by his fellow players as well as the 41st best player in the NFL.
The footballer extended his contract with the Falcons on August 9, 2017, when he signed a five-year deal worth $41.25 million, rising to become to the highest-paid running back in the history of the NFL.
Body Measurements: Height & Weight
The Atlanta Falcons running back has an enviable body frame; one that most people, including male athletes, would give everything in the world to have. Freeman has an average height of 5 feet 8 inches, which is equivalent to 1.73 meters while his body weight is commensurate to his height and it is put at 93 kilograms, which translates to 206 lbs. However, his other body measurements are not detailed online.
Other Facts About Devonta Freeman
Devonta Freeman has a special relationship with Luther Campell, the former leader of the music group 2 Live Crew. The NFL star considers Luther as his mentor and second father.
Devonta’s father was jailed during his youth.
The fourth-round pick of the 2014 NFL Draft lost his aunt when he was 14 years old. Her name is Tamekia N. Brown. She died at the age of 24. In honor of his aunt, Freeman tattooed her name on his left arm and now wears jersey number 24.
