Trent Richardson
A powerhouse college running back whose NFL career became a cautionary tale about the brutal transition from campus stardom to the professional grind.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American football player·Birthday: July 10·Millennials
Biography
Trent Richardson exploded onto the national scene at the University of Alabama, a human battering ram in a crimson helmet who seemed destined for greatness. Under coach Nick Saban, he was the engine of a historic offense, bulldozing his way to a Heisman Trophy finalist spot and helping secure two national championships. His selection third overall in the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns felt like a formality, the next step for a can't-miss prospect. But the pro game told a different story. Plagued by inefficiency and a perceived lack of vision, Richardson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts just over a year into his career, a move that stunned the league. His production never matched his draft pedigree, and his time in the NFL fizzled out after brief stops elsewhere. Richardson's arc remains a stark reminder of how the specific demands of the professional game can unravel even the most decorated college careers.
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.
Trent was born in 1990, 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 Trent Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Trent's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
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
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
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
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named a unanimous All-American in 2011 after a dominant season with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
- Won two BCS National Championships (2009, 2011) as a key contributor for Alabama.
- Finished third in Heisman Trophy voting in 2011, amassing over 2,000 all-purpose yards.
- Selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Did You Know?
He scored at least one touchdown in 12 consecutive games during his final season at Alabama.
His daughter was born just hours before he played in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.
He played in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017.
He briefly played for the Birmingham Iron in the Alliance of American Football league in 2019.
“I left it all on the field every single time I put on that jersey.”
