In the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, with the thirty-seventh pick, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Giovanni Bernard, who played running back at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Bernard’s time at Chapel Hill was impressive, as he was first-team All-ACC back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012, ACC offensive player of the year in 2012, third-team all-American in 2012, and many other honors. Bernard was impressive in Cincinnati and Tampa Bay, the two places he played in his career. He won a Superbowl in Tampa Bay with notable teammates like Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and Tom Brady when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were called the “Tompa Bay Buccaneers” about Tom Brady leaving New England for Tampa Bay as a free agent.
Bernard was a third-down back who was integral to the Buccaneers winning the Super Bowl in 2021 and great in the passing game and a great pass catcher. Bernard announced his retirement from the NFL on Instagram yesterday, citing personal reasons and his desire to spend time with his family. Bernard was among the most underrated and effective running backs for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his NFL Career. He forged his legend in college at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Although however, North Carolina is known as a basketball state with the North Carolina Vs. Duke rivalry, football legends like Greg Ellis, Donald Bly, Julius Peppers, and Lawrence Taylor played in the state and, specifically, at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. So, athletic excellence will always be alive and well, not only in basketball but also in football.
