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Montee Ball
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Montee Ball Jr. (born December 5, 1990)[1] is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Denver Broncos. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers, twice earning consensus All-American honors. Until November 2015, Ball held NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) records for the most career rushing touchdowns with 77 and the most career total touchdowns with 83.[2][3] He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.[4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Ball was born in McPherson, Kansas. His family later moved to Wentzville, Missouri, where Ball attended Timberland High School and played high school football for the Timberland Wolves.[5] He was ranked as the number 33 running back in the nation and fourth-best player in Missouri by Rivals.com. He was named first-team all-state, all-metro, all-district and all-conference as a senior. As a senior, Ball carried the ball 213 times for 2,187 yards and 41 touchdowns. As a junior, Ball was named player of the year (St. Louis American), first-team all-state, all-metro, all-district and all-conference after putting up 358 carries for 3,077 yards and 32 touchdowns, and was recognized in Sports Illustrated magazine's "Faces in the Crowd" section. As a sophomore, Ball was named first-team all-district and all-conference after carrying the ball 297 times for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns. As a freshman, Ball had 1,113 yards on 127 carries with 19 touchdowns. Ball was a team captain and team MVP as a sophomore, junior and senior. He holds the Wentzville school district rushing records with career totals of 995 carries, 8,222 yards, 107 touchdowns, and an average of 8.26 yards per carry. Ball was also named to the all-academic list three times and was a two-time letterwinner in basketball.[citation needed]

College career

[edit]

Ball enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, where he played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2009 to 2012.[6]

2009 season

[edit]
See also: 2009 Wisconsin Badgers football team

As a freshman, Ball played in 9 of 13 games and finished second on the team in rushing yards (391), rushing touchdowns (4), and rushing attempts (98).[7][8]

2010 season

[edit]
See also: 2010 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Ball played in 12 games, including starts in the final four games.[9] He began the 2010 season as the backup running back to John Clay, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Because Clay had offseason ankle surgery and later an MCL injury, Ball gained a prominent role in the Badgers' offense, along with freshman back James White. Ball led the team in rushing touchdowns, ranked second in rushing attempts and scoring, third in rushing yards and all purpose yards and fourth in total offense. His 18 rushing touchdowns tied for fourth-most in a single season, his 6.11 yards per carry is sixth-best in one season at Wisconsin, and his 108 points tied for sixth-most in one season at Wisconsin.[10] At the end of the season, Ball was named consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten.[11]

2011 season

[edit]
See also: 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Ball played and started in all 14 games. In the season opener, he had 63 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, two receptions, 67 receiving yards, and a receiving touchdown against UNLV.[12] On October 15, 2011, he was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass and scoring three rushing touchdowns with 142 yards rushing, including a career long 54-yard rush, on 14 carries and 46 yards receiving on one catch against Indiana.[13]

On November 5, 2011, Ball was named Big Ten Player of the Week after rushing for a career-high 223 yards against the Purdue Boilermakers.[14] During that game, Ball scored four touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving) which gave him 146 total points scored on the season. This broke Brian Calhoun's school record for total points in a single season of 144.[15]

On November 12, 2011, Ball broke the single season Big Ten Conference record for touchdowns by rushing for two and receiving one against the Minnesota.[16] Ball had 27 touchdowns (23 rushing and 4 receiving) at the end of that game.[17]

On November 19, 2011, against Illinois, Ball ran for a career-high 224 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 38 carries. He also added a receiving touchdown and became the fifth player in NCAA Division I FBS history to score 30 touchdowns in a single season.[18][19]

On November 26, 2011, Ball scored four touchdowns against Penn State, and four more in the Big Ten Championship game one week later, giving Ball 38 touchdowns on the season, which was second all-time in FBS.[20] He trails Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders, who scored 39 touchdowns in 1988.[21]

Ball was one of three finalists for the 2011 Doak Walker Award joining Oregon's LaMichael James and Alabama's Trent Richardson. The award was given to Alabama's Trent Richardson.[22]

Ball was named First-team All-Big Ten, by both the coaches and media, at the conclusion of the 2011 regular season.[23] He was also the winner of two other Big Ten awards, the Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award (which was renamed in 2011 after of Northwestern's Otto Graham and Ohio State's Eddie George) and the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year award, which was also renamed in 2011 after Wisconsin's Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne.[24][25]

On December 5, 2011, Ball was named one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy. He was joined by Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and Alabama running back Trent Richardson.[26] On the same day, Ball was named All-American by the AFCA, joining teammates Peter Konz and Kevin Zeitler.[27] Ball was also named an All-American by CBS, again joined by teammate Peter Konz.[citation needed]

On December 8, 2011, Ball was named First-team All-American by Yahoo Sports. His teammates Peter Konz and Kevin Zeitler were named to the second-team and quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Chris Borland were named to the third-team.[28]

On December 10, 2011, Ball was one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy. He finished fourth in the voting, with 348 points (22-1st place, 83-2nd place and 116-3rd place points). Ball's fourth-place finish was the highest in Wisconsin history for a non-winner of the award, until Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon finished second behind Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota in 2014. He was joined by teammate Russell Wilson, who also received votes. Wilson finished ninth with 52 points. Baylor's Robert Griffin III won the award.[29]

On January 2, 2012, Ball scored his 39th touchdown of the season, tying him with Barry Sanders for most touchdowns in a single FBS season.[30] He finished the season with 1,923 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions, 306 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns.[31]

On January 5, 2012, Ball announced he would return for his senior year with the Badgers rather than enter the 2012 NFL draft.[32]

2012 season

[edit]
See also: 2012 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Senior Introductions vs Ohio State
Ball in 2012

On October 13, 2012, Ball scored three rushing touchdowns against Purdue, giving Ball a career total of 72 touchdowns.[33] This broke the Big Ten record and the Wisconsin record of 71 held by former Badgers running back Ron Dayne. He also ran for a career-high of 247 yards against the Boilermakers.[34]

On November 24, 2012, Ball became the FBS career record holder for total touchdowns when he scored his 79th touchdown on a 17-yard run against Penn State.[35]

On December 6, 2012, Ball won the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back. Ball became the second Badger to win the award. Ron Dayne won the award in 1999.[36] He was named as a Consensus All-American.[37]

On January 1, 2013, Ball became the first player in Rose Bowl Game history to score a touchdown in three straight years.[38] Overall, he finished the season with 1,830 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.[39]

College statistics

[edit]
Wisconsin Badgers
Season Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
2009 9 0 98 391 4.0 4 9 92 10.2 0
2010 12 4 163 996 6.1 18 16 128 8.0 0
2011 14 14 307 1,923 6.3 33 24 306 12.8 6
2012 14 14 356 1,830 5.1 22 10 72 7.2 0
Career 49 32 924 5,140 5.6 77 59 598 10.1 6

Records

[edit]

NCAA single season records

  • Most touchdowns, season: 39 tied (2011)
  • Most consecutive games with two or more touchdowns: 13 (2011)
  • Most points scored by non-kicker: 236 (2011)

NCAA career records

  • Most touchdowns: 83 (2009-2012)

Big Ten single season records

  • Most touchdowns: 39 (2011)

Wisconsin single season records

  • Most touchdowns: 39 (2011)
  • Most rushing touchdowns: 33 (2011)

Hall of Fame

[edit]

On June 5, 2023, it was announced that Ball will be inducted into the University of Wisconsin's Athletic Hall of Fame for the class of 2023.[40]

On June 5, 2023, Ball was announced as one of 78 FBS players to be selected for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. If he gets voted in, he will become only the 13th Wisconsin Badger to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.[40]

Ball will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame as a member of the 2025 class.

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 10+1⁄2 in
(1.79 m) 		214 lb
(97 kg) 		32+5⁄8 in
(0.83 m) 		9 in
(0.23 m)		 4.51 s 1.56 s 2.57 s 4.11 s 6.88 s 32 in
(0.81 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 15 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[41][42]

Denver Broncos

[edit]

Ball was chosen in the second round with the 58th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2013 NFL draft.[43] In his NFL debut, Ball had eight carries for 24 yards in Denver's 49–27 win against the Baltimore Ravens.[44] On October 27, 2013, Ball scored his first career touchdown on a 4-yard run against the Washington Redskins.[45] On December 1, against the Kansas City Chiefs, Ball had his best game of his rookie season, with 13 carries for 117 yards, including a 45-yard run, the longest of his career.[46] He had another rushing touchdown against the Tennessee Titans that sealed the game for Denver.[47] Overall, he finished the 2013 season with 559 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.[48]

Heading into his sophomore season, Ball was set to become the Broncos’ starting running back following the departure of Knowshon Moreno, who signed with the Miami Dolphins during the offseason.[49] Despite this, Ball started in only three regular season games in 2014 and suffered a groin injury in Week 5, leading to the emergence of C. J. Anderson. He was placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2014, finishing the 2014 season with 172 yards and one touchdown, which was scored in a Week 1 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.[50][51]

Ball entered the 2015 season with the Broncos fighting for a roster spot with fellow running backs C. J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman, and Juwan Thompson. After rushing for only 68 yards on 32 carries in the preseason, the Broncos waived Ball on September 6, 2015.[52]

New England Patriots

[edit]

After being released and failing to find a new team quickly, Ball gained weight. He showed up to a tryout with the Green Bay Packers 30 pounds overweight.[53] On December 15, 2015, the New England Patriots signed Ball to their practice squad, where he spent the rest of the season. On February 9, 2016, Ball was released by the Patriots following a domestic violence arrest.[54]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Year Team GP Rushing Receiving Fumbles
Att Yds Avg Lng TD FD Rec Tgt Yds Avg Lng TD FD Fum Lost
2013 DEN 16 120 559 4.7 45 4 35 20 27 145 7.3 31 0 10 3 3
2014 DEN 5 55 172 3.1 23 1 9 9 13 62 6.9 16 0 2 1 1
Total 21 175 731 4.2 45 5 44 29 40 207 7.1 31 0 12 4 4

Personal life

[edit]

Ball's parents are Montee Sr. and Melissa Ball. Ball's cousin, Darius Hill, played football at Ball State. Ball enjoys basketball, reading, and video games. Ball is a Christian.[55]

Ball was assaulted in the early morning hours of August 1, 2012, while walking on University Avenue in Madison. The attackers were reported to be three black males unknown to Ball.[56][57] During the early morning of February 5, 2016, Ball was arrested on a felony battery charge after an apparent dispute with his girlfriend. It was reported that Ball threw her onto a table, causing a cut on her leg, which required stitches.[58] Ball was drunk during the incident.[53]

On April 11, 2016, Ball was arrested in Walworth County, Wisconsin, for felony bail jumping while drinking alcohol, due to having felony bond conditions in Dane County, Wisconsin, not to consume alcohol or be in a bar or tavern.[59]

Later in 2016, he accepted a plea deal for two cases involving domestic violence accusations and was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest, 18 months of probation and domestic violence and alcohol counseling.[53]

Ball, like his father and grandfather, is a recovering alcoholic. Ball began showing up drunk to practice as a junior in college and continued the habit in his professional career. During the NFL season, Ball would get drunk on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights. His spiraling alcoholism and depression derailed his football career.[53]

Ball has a son named Maverick who he credited with helping lift him from alcoholism and irresponsibility.[53] He is now an Outreach Specialist for Wisconsin Voices of Recovery.[60]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Montee Ball

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Montee Ball (born December 5, 1990) is a former who achieved prominence in at the University of before a brief professional career in the () with the . Born in , Ball moved with his family to , during his early years, where he attended Timberland High School and established himself as a standout athlete, setting district records with 8,222 rushing yards and 107 touchdowns over his high school career. At from 2009 to 2012, he amassed 5,140 rushing yards on 924 carries with an average of 5.6 yards per attempt, scoring a then-NCAA record 77 rushing touchdowns and adding 6 receiving touchdowns for a total of 83 career scores, which ranked first at the time. His junior year in 2011 was particularly dominant, as he tied ' single-season FBS record with 39 touchdowns (33 rushing, 6 receiving) en route to Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors and a fourth-place finish in voting. As a senior in 2012, Ball won the as the nation's top , earned consensus All-American status for the second time, and led the Badgers to a Big Ten Championship game appearance despite missing time due to a suspension. Selected by the in the second round (58th overall) of the , Ball debuted as a with a solid performance, rushing for 559 yards and 4 touchdowns on 120 carries while adding 20 receptions for 145 yards in 16 games. His second season in 2014 was derailed by a torn (ACL) in the preseason, limiting him to just 5 games with 172 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 55 carries, after which he was waived by the Broncos. Ball briefly signed with the in 2015 but was released before the regular season, effectively ending his career after two years and 938 total yards from scrimmage. Following his playing days, Ball openly discussed his struggles with , which began during his years and contributed to off-field incidents, including a 2012 suspension for violating team rules; by 2017, he had achieved sobriety and returned to to complete his degree. In recognition of his legacy, Ball was selected for induction into the as part of the Class of 2025, becoming the 13th player so honored, and in April 2025, he participated in the NFL Draft by announcing one of the Broncos' selections on Day 2.

Early years

Family and childhood

Montee Ball was born on December 5, 1990, in . His family later relocated to , where he spent his formative years. Ball's parents, Montee Ball Sr., a graphics designer, and Melissa Ball, provided a supportive environment amid family challenges, including a history of that affected his grandfather and father. Raised primarily in the small-town setting of Wentzville, Ball developed an early passion for sports. His family's encouragement played a key role in nurturing these interests, with his father actively involved in his athletic training from a young age. This foundation helped shape his competitive drive before transitioning to organized high school athletics.

High school career

Montee Ball attended Timberland High School in Wentzville, Missouri, where he played football from 2005 to 2009. A versatile athlete, Ball primarily excelled as a for the Timberland Wolves, also contributing as a receiver with 16 receptions for 230 yards. Over his four-year varsity , he amassed 8,222 rushing yards and 107 touchdowns on 985 carries, averaging 8.3 yards per carry. In his senior year during the 2008 season, Ball rushed for 2,187 yards and 41 touchdowns on 203 carries, helping lead the team while earning recognition as one of Missouri's top prospects. Ball also competed in basketball during his sophomore year (2006–2007), appearing in 25 games and averaging 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. As a highly regarded recruit in the class of 2009, Ball signed a to play at the University of , where he was rated a three-star prospect with a scout grade of 77.

College career

2009 season

As a true freshman in 2009, Montee Ball joined the as a behind starter John Clay, initially limited by a that sidelined him early in the season. He made his collegiate debut on against , recording 4 carries for 5 yards in a backup role. Ball appeared in 9 of the team's 13 games overall, serving primarily as a rotational player while adjusting to the physical demands and speed of Big Ten football. Ball's rushing performance that totaled 98 carries for 391 yards and 4 , averaging 4.0 yards per attempt, with his first coming on a 10-yard run against on October 17. Notable contributions included a breakout effort against on , where he led the team with 27 carries for 115 yards and 2 . His carries remained limited behind Clay, who handled the primary workload, but Ball showed flashes of potential in short-yardage and relief situations. During his adjustment to college, Ball benefited from guidance by upperclassmen and alumni, including early mentorship from Wisconsin legend , whom he met on the sideline while recovering from his . This support, combined with his family's relocation to Madison for proximity, helped him navigate the transition from high school stardom to a depth-chart role on a contending Badgers team that finished 10-3.

2010 season

Following a limited role as a in where he recorded 98 carries for 391 yards and four touchdowns, Montee Ball emerged as a more prominent figure in the ' backfield during his sophomore 2010 season. With starter John Clay sidelined by injury early in the year, Ball shared rushing duties with true freshman James White, forming a productive tandem that powered the Badgers' ground attack throughout their 12-1 campaign. Ball appeared in all 13 games, assuming a starting role in several contests late in the season as the team advanced to the Rose Bowl. Ball's rushing performance highlighted his development, as he amassed 163 carries for 996 yards at an average of 6.1 yards per attempt and scored 18 touchdowns, contributing significantly to 's top-ranked rushing offense that averaged over 300 yards per game. He also contributed through the air with 16 receptions for 128 yards, showcasing his versatility in the Badgers' pro-style scheme under offensive coordinator . These efforts helped secure a share of the Big Ten title and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where Ball added 51 rushing yards in the 21-19 loss to TCU. One of Ball's standout performances came on against , where he rushed for 140 yards on just 13 carries, including two touchdowns—the second an 8-yard game-winner with 1:06 remaining that sealed a thrilling 31-30 victory after trailing by six points. This effort not only boosted Ball's confidence but also marked a turning point in his career, as he followed it with consistent production in Big Ten play, such as his Big Ten debut against Michigan State where he helped establish the ground game despite modest individual stats of 6 rushing yards.

2011 season

In his junior season, Montee Ball emerged as one of the nation's premier running backs, building on the momentum from a solid 2010 campaign where he showed flashes of productivity as a backup. As the primary ball carrier for the Wisconsin Badgers, Ball demonstrated exceptional vision and burst, leading the team in rushing during all 14 games, including the Rose Bowl. His performance was instrumental in Wisconsin's 11-3 overall record and 7-1 mark in the Big Ten, culminating in a conference championship game appearance and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where the Badgers fell 45-38 to Oregon. Ball's rushing dominance was staggering, as he carried the ball 307 times for 1,923 yards at an average of 6.3 yards per attempt, while scoring 33 rushing to lead the NCAA. He also contributed through the air, catching 24 passes for 306 yards and six receiving , bringing his total touchdown output to a nation-leading 39—tying ' single-season NCAA record set in 1988. These figures underscored Ball's versatility and workload capacity, as he averaged over 137 rushing yards per game and scored in every contest. Several games highlighted Ball's explosive potential. On October 1 against No. 8 , he rushed for 151 yards and four s on 20 carries, powering a 48-17 rout that propelled into the top 10 rankings. Later, on November 26 versus Penn State, Ball erupted for 156 yards and another four rushing scores on 25 attempts, securing a 45-7 victory and clinching a share of the Big Ten Leaders Division title. In the regular-season finale against on November 19, he tallied 224 rushing yards, two rushing s, and one receiving , helping overcome a halftime deficit in a 28-17 win. These outings exemplified his ability to shoulder the offense against stout defenses, contributing to the Badgers' potent ground attack that ranked among the nation's best.

2012 season

In 2012, Montee Ball emerged as the primary workhorse running back for the Wisconsin Badgers during his senior season, carrying the ball a league-high 356 times across all 14 games while leading the Big Ten in rushing yards with 1,830. After missing the first two games due to injuries sustained in an off-field assault and a suspension for violating team rules, Ball demonstrated remarkable durability and consistency, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and powering the Badgers' ground attack to help secure a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Rose Bowl. His efforts were instrumental in Wisconsin's run-heavy offensive scheme, where he shouldered the majority of the rushing load alongside backups like James White. Ball's rushing prowess was complemented by his contributions as a receiver out of the backfield, hauling in 10 passes for 72 yards over the course of the season. He exploded for 22 rushing touchdowns, tying for second in the nation and solidifying his status as one of college football's most productive backs. Ball achieved 100 or more rushing yards in nine of his 14 outings, including standout performances such as 202 yards and three touchdowns in the Big Ten Championship Game victory over , where he earned MVP honors. Other highlights included a 198-yard, three-touchdown effort against , contributing to a school-record 564 rushing yards as a team. Ball's dominant campaign earned him widespread acclaim, including the as the nation's top , making him the second Badger to win the honor after in 1999. He was also named Big Ten Running Back of the Year by both coaches and media, along with consensus first-team All-Big Ten and All-American selections. Entering the year as a preseason candidate based on his prior achievements, Ball's leadership and productivity capped a storied college career despite the Badgers' 8-6 overall record.

Statistics and records

Over his four-year college career at the University of from 2009 to 2012, Montee Ball established himself as one of the most prolific scoring running backs in NCAA history, amassing impressive totals in both rushing and receiving. Ball concluded his collegiate tenure with 924 rushing attempts for 5,140 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and scoring 77 rushing touchdowns. His receiving contributions added 59 catches for 598 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns, bringing his career total to 83 touchdowns from scrimmage. These figures underscored Ball's dual-threat capability, particularly in the red zone, where his efficiency helped power Wisconsin's run-heavy offense. Ball's touchdown production set multiple benchmarks that highlighted his dominance. At the time of his , his 83 total stood as the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) record, a mark he reached by scoring in 37 of his 49 games; it currently ranks third all-time behind records set by players like Jonathan Taylor and . Similarly, his 77 rushing were the FBS record until surpassed in , and they now hold the second position behind Taylor's 80. Within the , Ball's totals remain unmatched, leading all-time in both rushing and total . At , Ball rewrote the program's record book, particularly in scoring categories. He holds the Badgers' career records for rushing touchdowns (77) and total touchdowns (83), along with career points scored (500). His single-season touchdown explosion in 2011, where he tied ' NCAA record with 39 total scores (33 rushing), exemplified his peak productivity, though his overall career pace—averaging 104.9 rushing yards per game—demonstrated sustained excellence across 49 appearances. This yards-per-game average ranked among the top in Wisconsin history for backs with significant volume, reflecting Ball's role as the focal point of the team's ground attack.
CategoryCareer TotalNCAA Rank (as of 2025)Wisconsin Record
Rushing Yards5,140Not top 10Not record
Rushing Touchdowns772ndYes (career)
Total Touchdowns833rdYes (career)
Yards per Game104.9Not rankedTop tier for volume backs
This table summarizes Ball's key statistical achievements, emphasizing his legacy in touchdown production over raw yardage accumulation.

Awards and honors

During his junior season in 2011, Ball was recognized as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in rushing yards (1,923) and touchdowns (33), earning unanimous first-team All-Big Ten honors and consensus All-American status. He also finished fourth in voting as a finalist, highlighting his breakout performance that tied an NCAA record for single-season touchdowns. In 2012, as a senior, Ball won the as the nation's top running back, becoming the second Wisconsin player to receive the honor after in 1999. He repeated as a consensus first-team All-American and was named Big Ten Running Back of the Year, while advancing to the semifinals of the for outstanding player. Ball contributed to Wisconsin's Big Ten championships in 2010 and 2011, helping secure three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances from 2011 to 2013. Ball's collegiate achievements led to multiple honors. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023, recognizing his role in elevating the Badgers' rushing attack. In January 2025, he was selected for the as part of the Class of 2025, becoming the 13th Wisconsin player enshrined. Later that year, in September 2025, Ball joined the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame for his three appearances in the game, where he amassed over 300 rushing yards across the contests.

Professional career

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos selected Ball in the second round (58th overall) of the , valuing his power-running style and college productivity as a complement to their backfield. In his rookie season, Ball appeared in all 16 regular-season games for the Broncos, primarily as a backup to , while also contributing in the postseason during Denver's run to . He recorded 120 rushing attempts for 559 yards (4.7 average) and 4 touchdowns, along with 20 receptions for 145 yards. Adding his playoff performance—28 carries for 96 yards across three games—Ball's total output highlighted his role in a committee approach, though he did not record a regular-season start. Entering 2014 as the projected starter following Moreno's departure in free agency, Ball underwent an emergency in August, causing him to miss the entire preseason. He started the first three games, rushing for 23 carries for 67 yards and 1 in Week 1 against the , but struggled with efficiency amid Denver's pass-heavy offense. In Week 5 against the , Ball suffered a torn right groin while blocking, limiting him to just 5 games total with 55 rushing attempts for 172 yards (3.1 average) and 1 , plus 9 receptions for 62 yards. Ball attempted a return in Week 11 against the but aggravated the groin injury on his second carry, leading to his placement on injured reserve on December 13, effectively ending his season. Despite showing promise in , the recurring injury and the emergence of diminished his role. The Broncos waived Ball on September 6, 2015, citing depth chart changes and his ongoing recovery challenges, concluding his two-year tenure with the team.

New England Patriots

After being waived by the on September 6, 2015, former second-round draft pick Montee Ball remained a for several months before signing with the ' practice squad on December 15, 2015. The move came amid injuries to the Patriots' depth, including LeGarrette Blount's hip issue, providing Ball an opportunity to contribute in practice while reuniting him with former teammate James White. Ball did not appear in any regular-season games during the 2015 campaign, spending the remainder of the season on the as the Patriots advanced to 50. Lingering effects from multiple injuries sustained during his tenure with the Broncos, including a injury in 2014, continued to impact Ball's availability and performance potential. Following the expiration of his contract on February 1, , Ball signed a with the Patriots, positioning him for a chance to compete in for the season—though the signing was not publicly announced at the time. Ball's time with the Patriots ended abruptly on February 9, 2016, when the team released him shortly after his on February 5, 2016, in , on charges of substantial battery and disorderly conduct stemming from a domestic incident. This marked the conclusion of his brief association with , where he never advanced to the active roster.

NFL statistics

Montee Ball appeared in 21 regular-season games over two seasons with the , starting three of them. As a rusher, he totaled 175 carries for 731 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per attempt, with five rushing touchdowns and a longest run of 45 yards. In the receiving game, Ball recorded 29 receptions for 207 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per catch, but no receiving touchdowns; he also lost four fumbles during his career. Ball's performance varied by season, as detailed below:
SeasonTeamGames PlayedGames StartedRushing AttemptsRushing YardsRushing AverageRushing TDsReceptionsReceiving YardsFumbles Lost
20131601205594.74201453
201453551723.119621
Career2131757314.25292074
Despite showing promise as a with solid production in a committee role behind starter , Ball's career trajectory was curtailed by , including an in preseason 2014 and a subsequent in Week 5 that landed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. His overall approximate value stands at 7, reflecting a modest professional impact relative to his highly productive college tenure.

Post-playing life

Recovery and advocacy

Following his 2016 arrest for domestic battery, which served as a pivotal , Montee Ball grappled with severe , depression, and in the years after his career ended. These struggles intensified his challenges, leading to a period of isolation and self-destructive behavior as he navigated life without football. In 2021, Ball published his memoir Nowhere to Run: Discovering Your True Self in the Midst of an Addiction, which chronicles his rise as a star at the University of Wisconsin and the subsequent descent into addiction, including how his time with the Denver Broncos exacerbated his depression. The book emphasizes the emotional toll of unmet expectations and the role of substance use in coping with professional setbacks. Ball achieved sobriety in 2016 after ceasing alcohol use and beginning , marking a key milestone in his recovery. He has since engaged in support groups and ongoing counseling, crediting these for building his resilience and providing tools to manage anxiety and depression. As part of his recovery, Ball has delivered speaking engagements on , such as his 2020 presentation at the Oshkosh Boys & Girls Club, where he shared his experiences with youth to promote early awareness of risks. Through his advocacy work, Ball continues to raise awareness about substance use recovery, highlighting the importance of vulnerability in and the obligations to as motivators for change. In May 2025, he participated in a "fireside chat" hosted by Journey Mental Health Center in , discussing his lifelong journey with and recovery strategies for athletes and communities of color.

Recent activities and honors

In 2025, Montee Ball was selected for induction into the , becoming the 12th Badger player to receive the honor, in recognition of his record-setting career that included tying ' NCAA record for single-season touchdowns with 39 in 2011. Later that year, on September 16, Ball was announced as part of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2025 alongside former coach , honoring his unique achievement as the only player in Rose Bowl history to rush for 100 or more yards in three consecutive games (2011–2013), totaling 559 yards and seven touchdowns across those appearances. These inductions build on his 2023 entry into the of Athletics Hall of Fame and underscore his lasting impact on . In April 2025, Ball participated in the NFL Draft held in , where he announced the ' Day 2 selections as an alumni representative, including running back RJ Harvey from UCF with the 60th overall pick in the second round and Pat Bryant from with the 74th pick in the third round. This role marked a full-circle moment for Ball, who was himself drafted by the Broncos in the second round (No. 58 overall) out of in 2013. As a University of Wisconsin alumnus, Ball remained active in Badgers-related media discussions throughout 2025, notably sharing his enthusiasm for the team's new Jeff Grimes in after receiving a personal text message from Grimes outlining his vision for a physical, run-heavy scheme reminiscent of Wisconsin's championship eras. He also appeared on the "Cut Traded Fired Retired" on September 30, hosted by Susie Wargin, where he reflected on his journey and transition to post-playing life. Ball has continued his philanthropic efforts as a board member of , a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that supports artists, entrepreneurs, and community initiatives through grants and resources derived from donated materials. In this capacity, he contributes to programs fostering creative and economic opportunities, including community events that benefit youth development. Following his personal recovery journey, these activities reflect Ball's commitment to advocacy and .

References

  1. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/montee-ball/2547
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BallMo00.htm
  3. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/59249/montee-ball
  4. https://www.espn.com/high-school/football/story/_/id/7517533/why-some-great-high-school-players-undervalued-college-coaches
  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/montee-ball-1.html
  6. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/15823/montee-ball
  7. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2025/1/15/montee-ball-selected-to-college-football-hall-of-fame
  8. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/15823/montee-ball
  9. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/13597928/montee-ball-waived-denver-broncos
  10. https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15823/montee-ball
  11. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19087336/former-wisconsin-badgers-denver-broncos-rb-montee-ball-opens-alcoholism
  12. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/former-broncos-rb-montee-ball-to-announce-denver-s-first-day-2-pick-at-2025-nfl-draft
  13. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/montee-ball/3711
  14. https://www.maxpreps.com/mo/wentzville/timberland-t-wolves/athletes/montee-ball/football/stats/?careerid=agm5iudllpb66
  15. https://www.maxpreps.com/mo/wentzville/timberland-t-wolves/athletes/montee-ball/basketball/stats/?careerid=agm5iudllpb66
  16. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/player/_/id/59249/montee-ball
  17. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8545483/college-football-montee-ball-rounding-form-wisconsin-badgers
  18. https://badgerherald.com/football/2017/04/05/football-montee-ball-set-to-finish-degree-at-wisconsin-turn-over-a-new-leaf/
  19. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/montee-ball-1/gamelog/2009/
  20. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/stats/2009
  21. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2010/11/20/Badgers_rumble_to_48_28_win_over_Michigan_at_Big_House
  22. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/montee-ball-1/gamelog/2010/
  23. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/stats/2010
  24. https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore/_/gameId/302962294
  25. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/wisconsin/2011.html
  26. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/montee-ball-1/gamelog/2011
  27. https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/stats/2012
  28. https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/2973046/montee-ball
  29. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/sports/ncaafootball/wisconsins-montee-ball-is-injured-in-assault.html
  30. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2012-rushing.html
  31. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/323360275/nebraska-wisconsin
  32. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2012/12/1/2012_Football_Big_Ten_Championship_Game_Notes
  33. https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/323150084/wisconsin-indiana
  34. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2012/12/6/Ball_wins_Doak_Walker_Award_as_nation_s_top_running_back
  35. https://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/66389/2012-all-big-ten-teams-individual-awards
  36. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/doak-walker-2012.html
  37. https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/the-top-10-heisman-moments-of-2012/
  38. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/8700068/montee-ball-wisconsin-badgers-sets-ncaa-record-most-rushing-touchdowns
  39. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2023/6/5/general-news-uw-athletic-hall-of-fame-montee-ball-football.aspx
  40. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2011/11/30/Ball_named_inaugural_Graham_George_Offensive_Player_of_the_Year
  41. https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/55344/montee-ball-a-heisman-trophy-finalist
  42. https://uwbadgers.com/news/2012/10/29/Ball_named_Maxwell_Award_semifinalist.aspx
  43. https://uwbadgers.com/honors/uw-athletic-hall-of-fame/montee-ball/297
  44. https://rosebowlgame.com/news/2025/9/16/general-montee-ball-and-bob-stoops-to-be-inducted-into-the-rose-bowl-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025.aspx
  45. https://www.nfl.com/news/denver-broncos-draft-wisconsin-rb-montee-ball-0ap1000000164708
  46. https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/4/26/4185706/nfl-draft-picks-2013-montee-ball-denver-broncos
  47. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/montee-ball-career-postseason-stats
  48. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11308405/montee-ball-denver-broncos-appendectomy
  49. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12023495/montee-ball-denver-broncos-placed-season-ending-ir
  50. https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-place-montee-ball-on-ir-activate-trevathan-0ap3000000442936
  51. https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4788704/patriots-sign-former-broncos-rb-montee-ball-to-practice-squad
  52. https://www.nfl.com/news/running-back-montee-ball-clears-waivers-0ap3000000523489
  53. https://www.patriots.com/news/patriots-place-dl-dominique-easley-on-injured-reserve-sign-rb-montee-ball-249846
  54. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/02/09/patriots-had-signed-montee-ball-futures-contract-reports-says/Cm5l4kiaPUZbQRZU1PgUTJ/story.html
  55. https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/02/05/ap-fbo-montee-ball-arrested
  56. https://nesn.com/2016/02/patriots-waive-montee-ball-despite-never-officially-re-signing-running-back/
  57. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14722058/montee-ball-arrested-alleged-hotel-dispute-girlfriend
  58. https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/mental-illness-alcoholism-wrecked-his-nfl-career-now-montee-ball-helps-others-avoid-the-same-fate
  59. https://www.amazon.com/Nowhere-Run-Discovering-Midst-Addiction/dp/173715210X
  60. https://madison365.com/new-memoir-nowhere-to-run-details-montee-balls-highs-of-his-wisconsin-badger-football-excellence-and-lows-of-addiction/
  61. https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-rb-montee-ball-starting-mental-health-fund-wisconsin-athletes-184651574.html
  62. https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/people-can-change-former-badger-montee-ball-a-voice-for-those-struggling-with-mental-health-alcoholism-during-pandemic
  63. https://advancetitan.com/news/fixed/2020/10/21/fixed-former-uw-football-star-talks-addiction
  64. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fireside-chat-montee-ball-kristin-brey-tickets-1291485089669
  65. https://madison365.com/journey-mental-health-to-host-a-fireside-chat-tonight-with-former-badger-football-star-montee-ball/
  66. https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/montee-ball-announcing-broncos-second-round-draft-pick/73-fde98536-195a-437d-bb09-feca62a14bbd
  67. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2025/07/25/wisconsin-football-legend-montee-ball-excited-for-badgers-offense-under-new-coordinator-jeff-grimes/85368007007/
  68. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-cut-traded-fired-retired-101085199/episode/montee-ball-297754253/
  69. https://www.instagram.com/monteeball/?hl=en
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