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Chris Ivory
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Christopher Lee Ivory[1] (born March 22, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and Tiffin Dragons and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2010. In 2013, Ivory was traded to the New York Jets, where he saw an expanded role, eventually becoming the team's primary running back by 2014 and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2015. He then spent the next three seasons as a backup with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Ivory earned letters in both football and track and field in high school at Longview High School in Longview, Texas, playing on the Lobos team that included future NFL players Trent Williams, Malcolm Kelly, and Robert Henson.[2][3] He was listed as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.[4][5]
College career
[edit]Washington State
[edit]Ivory played three years for Washington State from 2006 to 2008.[6] Limited by injuries, in 22 games he had 91 carries for 534 yards and four touchdowns, as well as 23 kickoff returns averaging 22.8 yards.[7] When the coaches who had recruited him were replaced by a new coaching staff, Ivory found himself far down on the Cougars' depth chart.[2] In August 2009, Ivory was dismissed from the Washington State team for violating team rules.[8]
Statistics
[edit]| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rushing | Receiving | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||||||
| 2006 | Washington State | Pac-10 | FR | RB | 9 | 3 | 85 | 28.3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2007 | Washington State | Pac-10 | SO | RB | 8 | 60 | 313 | 5.2 | 2 | 13 | 50 | 3.8 | 0 |
| 2008 | Washington State | Pac-10 | JR | RB | 5 | 28 | 136 | 4.9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Career | Washington State | 22 | 91 | 534 | 5.9 | 4 | 15 | 51 | 3.4 | 0 | |||
Tiffin University
[edit]Ivory then transferred to Tiffin University, a Division II school in Tiffin, Ohio, whose team was coached by Dave Walkosky, a former Washington State assistant coach. In Ivory's final year of college football, he had 39 rushes for 223 yards in five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Walkosky attempted to obtain a medical redshirt exemption to allow Ivory to play another year, but this was unsuccessful. Despite his brief stint at Tiffin University, Ivory's performance and speed attracted attention from NFL scouts, and he was thought to have a chance of becoming the first Tiffin University player to be drafted by the NFL.[9] The Saints became interested in Ivory, despite his injuries, after one of their scouts was impressed by Walkosky's enthusiastic recommendations.[2]
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]Ivory became eligible for the 2010 NFL Draft after his season, but he did not receive an invitation to perform at the NFL Combine. On March 16, 2010, Ivory attended Toledo's Pro Day and completed all of the combine and positional drills. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ivory was projected to go undrafted by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the 32nd best running back prospect in the draft by DraftScout.com.
| Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft 11+1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
222 lb (101 kg) |
4.48 s | 1.54 s | 2.60 s | 4.60 s | 7.20 s | 36 in (0.91 m) |
9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | ||||
| All values from Toledo's Pro Day[10] | ||||||||||||
New Orleans Saints
[edit]On April 27, 2010, the New Orleans Saints signed Ivory as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, $1.22 million contract.[11][12] He had an impressive performance in training camp and preseason games, highlighted by a strong performance against the San Diego Chargers that included a 76-yard touchdown on a swing pass.[13][14]
Early season injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas left Ivory as the Saints' starting running back. He had a breakout game in Week 6 against Tampa Bay Buccaneers: his 158 yards on 15 carries were the most by any Saints running back since Deuce McAllister rushed for 165 yards in a 2003 game, and the most by a Saints rookie since a 179-yard effort by Ricky Williams in 1999.[15][16] The performance earned him awards as both Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week and FedEx Ground Player of the Week.[citation needed] Another strong performance in Week 11, with 23 rushes for 99 yards in a 34–19 win over against the Seattle Seahawks, led Seahawks coach Pete Carroll to call Ivory "a freaking stud out there."[17] Ivory ended the regular season with 137 rushes for 716 yards, which led the team, and five touchdowns, but he also suffered repeated injuries during the year; after a foot injury in the Saints' last regular season game, he was placed on the injured reserve list and was unable to play in the postseason.[18][19][20] He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.[21]
Ivory spent the first six games of the 2011 season on the PUP list; after he was activated, he played in six games, with 79 rushes for 374 yards, and 22 carries for 70 yards in the Saints' two playoff games against the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card Round and the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.[22][23][24] In May 2012, the Saints paid Ivory an additional signing bonus to make up for the income he lost on the PUP list. He became a restricted free agent after the 2012 season.[25] He appeared in six games in the 2012 season and recorded 40 carries for 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[26]
New York Jets
[edit]Ivory was traded to the New York Jets on April 26, 2013, during the 2013 NFL draft for the Jets' fourth round draft pick (106th overall).[27] He signed a three-year contract worth $10 million.[28] He made his Jets debut in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[29] On October 20, against the New England Patriots, he had 34 carries for 104 yards.[30] On October 3, he had 139 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the New Orleans Saints.[31] Overall, in the 2013 season, he had 833 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and ten receiving yards.[32]
On September 7, 2014, he had a 71-yard touchdown run as part of a 102-yard performance against the Oakland Raiders in the season opener.[33] It was the second longest touchdown run in Jets history; Bruce Harper ran for 78 yards in 1983. On October 16, against the New England Patriots, he had 107 rushing yards and a touchdown.[34] Ten days later, he had his lone two-touchdown performance of the season against the Buffalo Bills.[35] Overall, he finished the 2014 season with 821 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and 18 receptions for 123 yards and a receiving touchdown.[36]
In the 2015 season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Ivory had 91 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the 31–10 victory.[37] On October 4, 2015, during an NFL International Series matchup against the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium, Ivory rushed for 166 yards and a touchdown, setting a career-high in rushing yards.[38] He followed that up with 146 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown against the Washington Redskins.[39] Ivory won the AFC rushing title in the 2015 season beating Latavius Murray by four yards, finishing the year with 1,070 rushing yards and his first Pro Bowl selection.[40] He was ranked 78th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.[41]
Jacksonville Jaguars
[edit]Ivory signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 10, 2016.[42]
On October 16, 2016, Ivory had 11 carries for 32-yards and scored his first rushing touchdown with the team as the Jaguars defeated the Chicago Bears by a score of 17–16.[43] On November 6, he had 107 rushing yards against the Kansas City Chiefs.[44] Overall, he finished the 2016 season with 439 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions, and 186 receiving yards.[45]
Ivory entered the 2017 season second on the depth chart behind rookie Leonard Fournette.[46] He played in 14 games with three starts, rushing for 382 yards and one touchdown.[47]
On February 23, 2018, Ivory was released by the Jaguars.[48]
Buffalo Bills
[edit]On March 6, 2018, Ivory signed a two-year contract with the Buffalo Bills for $5.5 million, with $3.25 million guaranteed.[49] In Week 3, against the Minnesota Vikings, he had 126 scrimmage yards in the 27–6 victory.[50] He rushed for 385 yards and one touchdown along with 13 receptions for 205 yards in 2018.[51]
On March 27, 2019, Ivory was released by the Bills.[52]
NFL career statistics
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2010 | NO | 12 | 4 | 137 | 716 | 5.2 | 55T | 5 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 17 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 2011 | NO | 6 | 2 | 79 | 374 | 4.7 | 35T | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | NO | 6 | 2 | 40 | 217 | 5.4 | 56T | 2 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYJ | 15 | 6 | 182 | 833 | 4.6 | 69 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | NYJ | 16 | 10 | 198 | 821 | 4.1 | 71T | 6 | 18 | 123 | 6.8 | 23 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | NYJ | 15 | 14 | 247 | 1,070 | 4.3 | 58 | 7 | 30 | 217 | 7.2 | 36 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2016 | JAX | 11 | 1 | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 42 | 3 | 20 | 186 | 9.3 | 37 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| 2017 | JAX | 14 | 3 | 112 | 382 | 3.4 | 34 | 1 | 21 | 175 | 8.3 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2018 | BUF | 13 | 1 | 115 | 385 | 3.3 | 21 | 1 | 13 | 205 | 15.8 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 108 | 43 | 1,227 | 5,237 | 4.3 | 71T | 29 | 107 | 948 | 8.9 | 55 | 3 | 20 | 10 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | Fumbles | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2011 | NO | 2 | 0 | 22 | 70 | 3.2 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | JAX | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 23 | 72 | 3.1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Career awards and highlights
[edit]- Pro Bowl selection (2015)
- PFWA All-AFC selection (2015)[53]
- AFC rushing yards leader (2015)[40]
- 4× FedEx Ground Player of the Week
(Week 6, 2010, Week 7, 2013, Week 4, 2015, Week 6, 2015) - Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (Week 6, 2010)[citation needed]
- NFL All-Rookie Team (2010)
References
[edit]- ^ "Chris Ivory Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ a b c Carpenter, Les (December 16, 2010). "RB Ivory goes from nowhere to New Orleans". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ "Former TXHSFB Players in the 2016 Pro Bowl – Texas HS Football". Texas HS Football. January 29, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory Recruiting Profile". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ^ "Chris Ivory Recruiting Profile". Scout.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
- ^ "Chris Ivory College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory Career Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "RB Chris Ivory dismissed by Washington State". Seattle Times. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
- ^ Baker, Zach (March 20, 2010). "TU's Ivory becoming valuable NFL resource - Advertiser-Tribune.com". Tiffin Advertiser-Tribune. Archived from the original on September 16, 2010.
- ^ "Chris Ivory, DS #32 RB, Tiffin". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^ Baker, Zach (April 25, 2010). "TU's Ivory signed by Saints". Advertiser-Tribune.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Chris Ivory contract". spotrac.com. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
- ^ "Former Washington State player Chris Ivory has big night for New Orleans Saints in exhibition-game victory". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. August 27, 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Hogan, Nakia (August 29, 2010). "New Orleans Saints RB Chris Ivory taking nothing for granted". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Duncan, Jeff (October 17, 2010). "Chris Ivory's breakout game leads New Orleans Saints to win". NOLA.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – October 17th, 2010". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ O'Neil, Danny (November 21, 2010). "Penalty on Seahawks' Raheem Brock is boon for Saints". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ivory has been placed on injured reserve by the New Orleans Saints". NOLA.com. January 5, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2010 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "2010 New Orleans Saints Statistics & Players". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "2010 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2011 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Wild Card – Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints – January 7th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Divisional Round – New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers – January 14th, 2012". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ McIntyre, Brian (May 27, 2012). "Saints add signing bonus to Chris Ivory's contract". NFL.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2012 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ Cimini, Rich (April 26, 2013). "Jets acquire RB Chris Ivory". ESPN New York. Archived from the original on April 27, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
- ^ Copeland, Kareem (April 27, 2013). "Chris Ivory, New York Jets agree to $10M contract". NFL.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets – September 8th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "New England Patriots at New York Jets – October 20th, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "New Orleans Saints at New York Jets – November 3rd, 2013". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2013 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Oakland Raiders at New York Jets – September 7th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "New York Jets at New England Patriots – October 16th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – October 26th, 2014". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2014 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns at New York Jets – September 13th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – October 4th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Washington Redskins at New York Jets – October 18th, 2015". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ a b "2015 NFL Rushing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "2016 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Oehser, John (March 10, 2016). "Chris Ivory: "The place for me"". Jaguars.com. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears - October 16th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs – November 6th, 2016". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2016 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ "Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart Archive (09/01/2017)". OurLads.com. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2017 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (February 23, 2018). "Jacksonville Jaguars release running back Chris Ivory". NFL.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Patra, Kevin (March 6, 2018). "Buffalo Bills agree on two-year deal with Chris Ivory". NFL.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings - September 23rd, 2018". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Ivory 2018 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ Brown, Chris (March 27, 2019). "Bills release RB Chris Ivory". BuffaloBills.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ DaSilva, Cameron (January 18, 2016). "Jets' Chris Ivory named to All-AFC team by PFWA". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Washington State Cougars bio
Chris Ivory
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
Christopher Lee Ivory was born on March 22, 1988, in Longview, Texas, a working-class community in East Texas known for its strong blue-collar roots tied to the oil industry and manufacturing.[8][9] Ivory grew up in a single-parent household led by his mother, Judy Ivory (later Gilliland), who served as his sole provider and worked as a police officer to support the family.[9][10] His biological father was absent from his life, and his stepfather, Kenny Gilliland, later joined the family dynamic.[11][8] Judy's resilience, including her recovery from a severe bout of viral meningitis that left her in a coma for months when Ivory was young, instilled in him values of hard work and perseverance amid financial and personal challenges.[9] The local football culture in Longview, fueled by the nearby Dallas Cowboys' success—including three Super Bowl victories during Ivory's early childhood—deeply influenced him, with icons like Emmitt Smith sparking his dreams of playing professionally.[10] From a young age, Ivory developed a passion for football, participating in informal games with neighborhood friends on the pavement near their homes, often under the rough conditions they dubbed "sideline kill" due to the hard surfaces and proximity to grass edges.[9] These early experiences honed his toughness and speed, attributes later enhanced through his involvement in track and field activities that showcased his natural athleticism.[9] This foundation in Longview's football-obsessed environment set the stage for his transition into organized high school athletics.[10]High school career
Chris Ivory attended Longview High School in Longview, Texas, participating in football from 2002 to 2005.[1] Under head coach John King, he earned three varsity letters and helped the Lobos secure district championships in each of his seasons on the team.[8] As a junior in 2004, Ivory received second-team All-District 12-5A honors while the team compiled a 12-1 record and advanced to the regional round of the playoffs.[8] In his senior year of 2005, Ivory primarily played fullback, rushing for 659 yards and 13 touchdowns at an average of 5.5 yards per carry.[8] He also contributed through the air with 16 receptions for 209 yards and two touchdowns, earning unanimous first-team All-District 12-5A recognition, honorable mention All-East Texas honors, and a nod as the top fullback in Class 5A by 5ATexasFootball.com; he was additionally named to the outlet's 2005 Super List for running backs.[8] That season, Longview finished 10-1 overall, claiming the District 12-5A title before a narrow 14-13 loss to South Garland in the bi-district playoff round.[12] Ivory also lettered twice in track and field during high school, showcasing his athletic versatility.[8] Rated a two-star recruit by scouting services, he received a scholarship offer from Washington State—the only Division I program to extend one—and signed with the Cougars in 2006, while drawing interest from smaller Texas schools such as Sam Houston State.[9][13]College career
Washington State Cougars
Chris Ivory enrolled at Washington State University in 2006 as a freshman running back after being recruited from Longview High School in Texas. Over three seasons from 2006 to 2008, Ivory served as a backup running back for the Cougars, facing limited opportunities due to injuries and a crowded depth chart that included backs like Jamelle Eugene and Dwain Williams.[14] His career totals at Washington State reflect this rotational role, with 91 rushing attempts for 534 yards and 4 touchdowns, alongside 15 receptions for 51 yards.[3] Ivory's most notable production came during his 2007 sophomore season, when he appeared in 8 games and rushed 60 times for 313 yards at an average of 5.2 yards per carry, scoring 2 touchdowns.[3] That year, he achieved two 100-yard performances: 104 yards on 15 carries against Stanford on November 10, and a career-high 114 yards on 14 carries against Washington on November 24, both helping to bolster the Cougars' ground game in Pac-10 play.[15] As a true freshman in 2006, he played in 9 games but had just 3 carries for 85 yards and 1 touchdown, highlighted by an 80-yard scoring run against Idaho.[16][17] In 2008, injuries restricted Ivory to 5 games as a junior, where he managed 28 carries for 136 yards and 1 touchdown, including a season-high 78 yards on 11 attempts with a score against Portland State.[18][8] His role remained secondary amid ongoing ankle and hamstring issues that hampered his consistency throughout his time in Pullman.[14] Ivory's tenure with the Cougars ended in August 2009 when he was dismissed from the team prior to his senior season for violating team rules, including missing a practice and prior tardiness to others, which effectively concluded his FBS eligibility.[19][20] The dismissal followed a July 2009 incident where he was charged with second-degree assault after allegedly striking another student with a bottle at an off-campus party, though the charge was later reduced and resolved without a felony conviction.[21][22]Tiffin University Dragons
After being dismissed from Washington State University in August 2009 due to a violation of team rules amid prior academic challenges, Chris Ivory transferred to NCAA Division II Tiffin University to continue his college football career.[19][23][24] At Tiffin, Ivory quickly adapted to the smaller program, earning the role of starting running back for the Dragons during the 2009 season.[25] The transition from a major Division I program to a Division II environment allowed him greater opportunities to showcase his skills, though the team struggled overall with an 0-11 record. As the primary ball carrier, Ivory demonstrated his power-running style in a more featured role, averaging over 5 yards per carry in his limited appearances.[26][25] In five games, Ivory rushed 39 times for 223 yards before sustaining a season-ending injury to his left knee, specifically a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament.[25][26][27] Despite the abbreviated stint and the lower level of competition, his performance highlighted his potential as a physical runner capable of breaking tackles. The injury, while derailing his senior season, did not exhaust his eligibility, preserving his path to professional football.[28] Ivory's time at Tiffin ultimately positioned him for an NFL opportunity as an undrafted free agent, as scouts took note of his speed and burst even from a non-FBS program.[26] The knee injury raised concerns about his durability but did not prevent the New Orleans Saints from signing him in 2010, marking the end of his college career on a note of resilience.[25]Professional career
New Orleans Saints
Ivory signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on April 27, 2010, shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.[10] Emerging from Division II Tiffin University, he earned a roster spot during training camp despite limited expectations, showcasing his powerful running style that complemented the Saints' high-powered offense following their Super Bowl XLIV victory.[29] In his rookie season of 2010, Ivory appeared in 12 games, rushing for 716 yards on 137 carries with 5 touchdowns, leading the team in rushing despite starting only four contests.[1] His breakout performance came on October 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he gained 158 yards on 15 carries, averaging 10.5 yards per attempt and helping secure a 31-6 victory.[30] For his contributions, Ivory was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.[31] Over the 2011 and 2012 seasons, Ivory continued to develop as a complementary back, totaling 591 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in 12 games combined, bringing his three-year Saints total to 1,307 yards and 8 touchdowns.[1] Injuries limited his playing time, including a six-game stint on the physically unable to perform list in 2011 due to a hamstring issue stemming from his college days, but he provided bursts of productivity when active, such as 51 yards on 7 carries in a 2012 win over the Carolina Panthers.[29] His role emphasized short-yardage and goal-line situations, enhancing the Saints' post-championship ground attack amid injuries to other backs like Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram.[25] On April 26, 2013, during the third round of the NFL Draft, the Saints traded Ivory to the New York Jets in exchange for the Jets' fourth-round pick (No. 106 overall).[32] The move allowed New Orleans to acquire additional draft capital while Ivory sought a larger role elsewhere.[33]New York Jets
On September 3, 2013, Ivory made his Jets debut as the starting running back in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries. Acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints on April 26, 2013, in exchange for the Jets' fourth-round draft pick (No. 106 overall), Ivory quickly established himself as a key component of New York's ground attack, leveraging his power-running style developed during his time with the Saints.[34] Over the 2013–2015 seasons, Ivory amassed 2,724 rushing yards on 627 carries with 16 touchdowns, serving as the Jets' lead back in an offense that emphasized a physical, run-heavy approach.[1] In 2013, he recorded 833 yards and three touchdowns despite missing time due to a hamstring injury, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.[1] The following year, 2014, saw him notch 821 yards and a career-high six touchdowns on 198 attempts, though his 4.1 yards per carry reflected a tougher offensive line.[1] His 2015 campaign marked a breakout, with 1,070 rushing yards—fifth-most in the NFL—on 247 carries, scoring seven touchdowns at 4.3 yards per carry and earning his first Pro Bowl selection as an injury replacement for Buffalo's LeSean McCoy.[1][35] Ivory's efficiency and burst were evident in several standout performances, including a career-high 166 rushing yards and a touchdown on 29 carries against the Miami Dolphins on October 4, 2015, in London, helping secure a 27–14 victory.[36] He also eclipsed 100 yards in six other games that season, contributing to New York's 10–6 record and playoff appearance. Ivory became an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season, and despite his production, the Jets did not re-sign him due to salary cap constraints and ongoing contract negotiations, allowing him to depart on March 8, 2016.[37]Jacksonville Jaguars
On March 9, 2016, Ivory signed a five-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars worth $32 million, including $10 million in guarantees, to serve as the team's primary running back following a productive stint with the New York Jets.[38] The deal positioned him to split carries with T.J. Yeldon, aiming to bolster a Jaguars rushing attack that had struggled in prior seasons. In his 2016 debut against the Baltimore Ravens on September 25, Ivory recorded 14 rushing yards on 12 carries after missing the first two games due to an undisclosed medical issue that required hospitalization.[39] Over the full season, he appeared in 11 games, amassing 439 rushing yards on 117 carries with three touchdowns at a 3.8-yard average, though hamstring strains sidelined him for five additional contests.[40] The following year, Ivory played in 14 games as a backup to rookie Leonard Fournette, totaling 382 rushing yards on 112 carries with one touchdown at a 3.4-yard average, while dealing with minor hamstring and other ailments that occasionally limited his snaps late in the season.[41] Across his two seasons with Jacksonville, Ivory accumulated 821 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 25 games, providing veteran depth but facing reduced opportunities amid emerging talent and persistent injury concerns.[1] Ivory was released by the Jaguars on February 23, 2018, two years into his contract, as the team prioritized cap space—saving approximately $3.75 million for 2018—and shifted toward a younger running back corps led by Fournette during a roster rebuild.[42] The move came after Ivory's production declined, reflecting the Jaguars' focus on developing draft picks over aging free agents.[43]Buffalo Bills
On March 6, 2018, Ivory signed a two-year, $5.5 million contract with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent, intended to serve as a backup to starting running back LeSean McCoy.[5][44] During the 2018 season, Ivory appeared in 13 games, primarily in a reserve role, where he rushed for 385 yards on 115 carries with one touchdown.[1] His production was limited by lingering effects from injuries sustained in prior seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[44] The Bills released Ivory on March 27, 2019, prior to the start of the 2019 season, as part of roster adjustments following the signing of veteran running back Frank Gore.[44][5] Ivory did not play in the NFL after his release from Buffalo, marking the end of his professional career that spanned from 2010 to 2018.[1]Career statistics and accolades
Rushing and receiving statistics
Chris Ivory's NFL regular season career totals include 1,227 rushing attempts for 5,237 yards at an average of 4.3 yards per carry and 29 rushing touchdowns, along with 20 fumbles lost; he also recorded 107 receptions for 948 receiving yards at an average of 8.9 yards per reception and 3 receiving touchdowns.[1]Rushing Statistics
| Year | Team | G | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Lng | Fmb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NOR | 12 | 137 | 716 | 5.2 | 5 | 55 | 4 |
| 2011 | NOR | 6 | 79 | 374 | 4.7 | 1 | 35 | 0 |
| 2012 | NOR | 6 | 40 | 217 | 5.4 | 2 | 56 | 0 |
| 2013 | NYJ | 15 | 182 | 833 | 4.6 | 3 | 69 | 2 |
| 2014 | NYJ | 16 | 198 | 821 | 4.1 | 6 | 71 | 2 |
| 2015 | NYJ | 15 | 247 | 1070 | 4.3 | 7 | 58 | 4 |
| 2016 | JAX | 11 | 117 | 439 | 3.8 | 3 | 42 | 5 |
| 2017 | JAX | 14 | 112 | 382 | 3.4 | 1 | 34 | 2 |
| 2018 | BUF | 13 | 115 | 385 | 3.3 | 1 | 21 | 1 |
| Career | - | 108 | 1,227 | 5,237 | 4.3 | 29 | 71 | 20 |
Receiving Statistics
| Year | Team | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Lng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NOR | 12 | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2011 | NOR | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | - |
| 2012 | NOR | 6 | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 | 13 |
| 2013 | NYJ | 15 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2014 | NYJ | 16 | 18 | 123 | 6.8 | 1 | 23 |
| 2015 | NYJ | 15 | 30 | 217 | 7.2 | 1 | 36 |
| 2016 | JAX | 11 | 20 | 186 | 9.3 | 0 | 37 |
| 2017 | JAX | 14 | 21 | 175 | 8.3 | 1 | 29 |
| 2018 | BUF | 13 | 13 | 205 | 15.8 | 0 | 55 |
| Career | - | 108 | 107 | 948 | 8.9 | 3 | 55 |