Rashard Mendenhall
A powerful running back whose decisive touchdown sealed a Super Bowl victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers in a legendary finish.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American football player·Birthday: June 19·Millennials
Biography
Rashard Mendenhall's NFL career was a burst of high-impact moments. Drafted in the first round by Pittsburgh, he brought a blend of power and vision to a storied franchise. His legacy is forever tied to Super Bowl XLIII, where his fourth-quarter touchdown run gave the Steelers a crucial lead in their dramatic win over Arizona. He followed that with a 1,000-yard season, establishing himself as the workhorse in Pittsburgh's offense. His career was shorter than some expected, but it was punctuated by championship success and flashes of brilliance that fulfilled the promise he showed as a record-setting rusher at the University of Illinois.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Rashard was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Rashard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Rashard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIII, helping secure a Steelers victory.
- Rushed for over 1,000 yards in both the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons.
- Set a University of Illinois single-season record with 1,681 rushing yards in 2007.
- Was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 23rd overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Did You Know?
He wrote for the *Huffington Post* and later worked as a writer for HBO's series *Ballers* after retiring from football.
Mendenhall was a highly recruited high school player in Illinois, also excelling in track and field.
He majored in speech communications at the University of Illinois.
“That touchdown in the Super Bowl is why you play this game.”
