Gardner says the nickname traces its origins as far back as his days playing youth football in Detroit. The nickname stuck at the time, and he's exclusively gone by the "Sauce" moniker since the start of his NFL career.
Things have worked out well in the two years since.
The former Cincinnati Bearcat won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after a 2022 season in which he led the NFL with 20 passes defended. He also earned his first Pro Bowl and first-team All Pro nods as a rookie, then earned his second Pro Bowl and first-team All Pro nods in 2023.
So far in 2024, Gardner has started both games for the Jets , recorded his first career sack and tallied five total tackles.
Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reads a play during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The full origin story of Gardner's nickname goes back 18 years, when the Jets' cornerback was six years old.
Gardner played for the East Side Bengals youth team in Detroit under coach Curtez Harris, who had a nickname for all of his players. Initially, Gardner's nickname was A1 – one that corresponded with the first letter of his first name (Ahmad) and the jersey number he liked to wear.
After a particularly strong performance in a game from the young future star, Harris complimented his player's efforts with a lengthened version of the nickname: "A1 Sauce Sweet Feet Gardner." The six-year-old loved the nickname and ran with it, eventually shortening it to just "Sauce."
He's never looked back from then.
When Gardner became the fourth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, he did it wearing a massive "SAUCE" chain over his powder blue suit. By the time his first season began with the Jets, he was going by the nickname exclusively. When he finished his degree and received his diploma from the University of Cincinnati in August of last year, his name was announced as "Sauce Gardner."
Gardner's nickname has granted him some unique opportunities in brand deals and partnerships. The most notable of them has been his collaboration with restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings.
Ahead of the start of Gardner's rookie year, the wings chain "collaborated" with the rising star to release a limited-edition sauce flavor called "Sauce Sauce." According to Buffalo Wild Wings, the flavor was inspired by the cornerback's love for both barbecue and hot sauce.
"The new sauce is a smokey, sweet and spicy BBQ sauce which intercepts your taste buds and takes it to the house on your favorite wings and sandwiches,” read the press release at the time.
According to the current Buffalo Wild Wings sauce flavors list , the "Sauce Sauce" is no longer available.
Gardner has started in all of his 35 career games. Through Week 2 of the 2024 season, Gardner has recorded 32 pass defenses, two interceptions, one forced fumble, one sack and 137 total tackles.
According to Pro Football Reference's advanced defense statistics, the third-year cornerback has allowed a completion percentage of 55.3% when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He has also allowed just three passing touchdowns in coverage in his career.
Sauce Gardner contract
Gardner's rookie deal with the Jets is a four-year, $33.5 million contract that is fully guaranteed.
As a former first-round pick, the cornerback's contract also includes a fifth-year club option, which can be exercised after this season. Assuming New York picks up the option, Gardner will not be able to hit free agency until 2027 at the earliest.
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