Giovani Bernard or Giovani Govan Bernard, is a former American football running back. He last played for North Carolina and was selected or drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Early life
Bernard, a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, was born on 22 November 1991 in West Palm Beach, Florida to parents who had immigrated from Haiti and owned a successful dry cleaning business in Boca Raton, Florida. His passion for football was evident at a young age, and he started playing in the local tackle football league known as the Boca Jets. Later, he attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he played alongside James White, the New England Patriots running back, and Lamarcus Joyner, the Florida State safety.
During his high school career, Bernard was ranked as the No. 2 running back in Florida by the Orlando Sentinel, and Rivals.com ranked him as the No. 12 running back in the United States. His older brother, Yvenson Bernard, is also a former running back for Oregon State.
Bernard was a highly sought-after prospect, and numerous universities vied for his services. While he initially committed to Notre Dame, he eventually decided to play for the University of North Carolina.
Giovani Bernard career
University
Giovani Bernard played for the North Carolina Tar Heels football team and remained engaged from 2010-2012. Participating in the third day of training, Giovani tore the ACL of his right knee trying to defend himself. Returning from his injury and rehab, he became a starting back-up for the Tar Heels in 2011. He then finished the 2012 season with a total of 1,228 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, five receiving touchdowns, two punt return touchdowns and 490 receiving yards.
professional
Cincinnati Bengals (2013 to 2020)
Bernard was drafted in the second round as the 37th pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was selected or drafted in exchange for traded quarterback Carson Palmer. In the 2014 season, Bernard was named Begal’s running back. Playing for the season-opening game with AFC North Division rivals Baltimore Ravens, Bernard scored his first career start. On October 12, 2014, he rushed for 100 yards against the Carolina Panthers and set the first career game with prestigious records.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bernard signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 14, 2021. During his game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he had 58 rushing yards, 123 receiving yards, 23 receptions, and three receiving touchdowns. He received a spot in the wild-card round on January 15, 2022, and was activated for the game. The team took on the Philadelphia Eagles and achieved a 31-15 win.
Bernard re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 1, 2022. In week 2 of the 2022 season, he faced an injury that saw him placed on reserve until September 21, 2022. He later returned to the field on November 26, and recently announced his retirement on April 28, 2023.
Giovani Bernard Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Giovani Govan Bernard |
| birth date | Nov. 22, 1991 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 31 years |
| Place of birth | West Palm Beach, Florida, United States |
| Profession | Soccer Running Back Player |
| University | University of North Carolina |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 5′ 9” – in centimeters – 175 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 93kg – in pounds – 205 pounds |
| Hair color | Black |
| eye color | Black |
Giovani Bernard Family | |
| Father | Yven Bernard |
| Mother | Josette Bernard |
| Sister | – |
| Brother | Yvenson Bernard |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Married |
| who is Giovani Bernard’s wife | Chloé Call Bernard |
| Children | One |
Personal life
Giovani Bernard is a happily married man with a wife named Chloe Call whom he met at the University of North Carolina. The two are college sweethearts who met in 2012. The friendship quickly blossomed into a love affair and they married in July 2019.
After that, the couple announced their pregnancy on November 6, 2021. The couple took the help of Instagram to express their joy when their first baby, Julian, was born on December 25, 2021.
social life
Giovani Bernard is available on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On Facebook, he assumes an official account and the handle of the name – Giovani Bernard, where he has 66,000 followers.
On Instagram he uses an official account and handle name – g_bernard_xxv where he has 80.6k followers with 683 following members.
Bernard is available on Twitter under the name Giovani Bernard [@G_Bernard25]. He joined Twitter in December 2011 and since then has had 71.3k followers.
Giovani Bernard Net Worth
When Giovani Bernard signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on May 23, 2013, he received a signed contract amount of $2.2 million with $3.2 as a signing bonus. In fact, he would earn around $5 million as of 2023. If one calculates his net worth (including salary base and house), his lump sum net worth is up to $20 million.
Facts About Giovani Bernard
- After Ethan Horton (who set the first record in 1984), Giovani became the first North Carolina running back to rush for 100 yards in five straight games.
- He set a career record for 155 rushing yards while playing against Georgia Tech.
- In mid-October 2011, Bernard was selected for the Maxwell Award watchlist.
- His name was given to the All-ACC first team by various coaches in the ACC for nominations.
- In 2012, Giovani Bernard won the CFPA Punt Returner Trophy – the prestigious award for any young footballer.