Tevin Coleman, #26, of the Atlanta Falcons (Getty)
Tevin Coleman is 1/2 of the dynamic running back duo of the Atlanta Falcons. Along with Devonta Freeman, and the rest of the juggernaut offense, Coleman pushed the club to their second Super Bowl appearance in team history.
Coleman is an explosive, one-cut runner who plays like it’s always the last play of the game.
Coleman was the 73rd overall pick in 2015. He has rushed for a combined 900+ yards, 60+ receptions, and 9 touchdowns in his short career.
He came from immigrant parents and humble beginnings to star in every level throughout his career, from Oak Forest High, to Indiana University, and on to the NFL’s biggest stage with the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.
We want to celebrate the biggest game of the young NFL talents career with 5 fast facts you need to know about Tevin Coleman.
1. Tevin Coleman was a Track and Field Star in High School
Tevin Coleman of the Atlanta Falcons (Getty)
Coleman was a star on his high school track and field team competing as a sprinter and jumper. He garnered multiple awards and school records during his time at Oak Forest high School in Illinois. He was one of the best 100 meter sprinters in the state of Illinois and went on to place fourth in the 100m at the 2011 IHSA State Championships.
He also finished second in the long jump with a personal best of 7.16 meters. He also competed in the 2011 Thornton Classic Meet where he took home the gold in the long jump. He ran the 100 meters at the 2011 IHSA 2A State Track and Field Championship with a time of 10.5 seconds.
2. He was a Finalist for the 2014 Doak Walker Award
Tevin Coleman on the Indiana Hoosiers (Getty)
In 2014, Coleman was a finalist for the Doak Walker award with fellow Big 10 running backs, and future NFL peers, Ameer Abdullah and eventual winner Melvin Gordon.
Coleman finished the season with 2,036 yards rushing and was the 18th player in FBS history to reach that mark.
Coleman broke the Indiana school single-season rushing record held by Vaughn Dunbar since 1991 and finished seventh in the 2014 Heisman Trophy voting with two first place votes. He entered the 2015 NFL draft after his junior year.
3. Coleman was Born a Premature Baby and Given a 20% Chance to Live
Tevin Coleman of the Atlanta Falcons (Getty)
Tevin Coleman was born so small that he could fit into his mothers hands. He was given a 20% chance to live, but eventually pulled through and had a happy and healthy childhood.
He was born 10 weeks early and weighed 31/2 lbs. It is said that his first love of sports was baseball he was energetic who was always outdoors, even in the coldest of winters. Tevin also sang in his church’s choir at Bethlehem Temple Missionary Baptists Church.
In his senior year at Oak Forest High School Coleman rushed for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns.
4. Tevin Coleman Broke Multiple Records at Indiana
Tevin Coleman on the Indiana Hoosiers (Getty)
Coleman was the first Hoosier since 1991 that was chosen for All-American honors. He was picked 73rd overall and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.
Coleman was the first Indiana Hoosier running back since 1997 to be selected in the NFL draft and the first alumni from Oak Forest High School.
5. Tevin Coleman’s Parents are From Liberia
Tevin Coleman and Todd Gurley (Getty)
Coleman’s parents, Wister and Adlevia, are natives of Liberia and came over from the country as teenagers. The couple met in Chicago and married.
Liberia is an African country founded in 1847 by freed slaves establishing a government similar to the US. Coleman’s great-great grandfather, William David Coleman, was Liberia’s president from 1896 – 1900.
Hi mother goes onto say: “I’m glad that I was raised there (Liberia) because all the values and qualities and morals, that’s what I instill in them.
