Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara – Life, Career, and Memorable Words

Learn about Alvin Kamara (born July 25, 1995), the dynamic American NFL running back known for versatile offensive production, his rise from college to pro, key achievements, challenges, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Alvin Mentian Kamara is one of the most electrifying running backs in the modern NFL. Known for his dual-threat ability to run and catch passes, game-changing plays, and flair on the field, Kamara has become a central piece of the New Orleans Saints’ offense. His path from high school standout to NFL star is marked by resilience, versatility, and occasional controversy. In this article, we’ll walk through his early life, collegiate journey, professional achievements, personality, quotes, and lessons from his career.

Early Life and Background

• Alvin Kamara was born on July 25, 1995 in Atlanta, Georgia.

• His mother is Liberian; Kamara has spoken about his Liberian heritage.

• He attended Norcross High School in Norcross, Georgia, playing for the Blue Devils football team.

• In his junior year, Kamara rushed for about 1,300 yards and 17 touchdowns. In his senior year, he significantly elevated his profile by rushing for 2,264 yards with 26 touchdowns, along with catching 22 passes for 286 yards and 5 touchdowns, helping his school win its first state championship.

• For his high school career, he earned awards including Georgia’s Mr. Football, Class 6A Player of the Year, and first-team All-State honors.

These accomplishments made him a highly rated recruit. He initially committed to Alabama.

College Career

Alabama & Transfer

• Kamara’s time at Alabama was challenging: he underwent knee surgery in the preseason, and he found himself in a stacked backfield competition.

• Because of limited opportunity and other dynamics, Kamara eventually transferred first to Hutchinson Community College (Kansas) for the 2014 season.

• At Hutchinson, he rushed for 1,253 yards and 18 touchdowns in 9 games, and led in total offense, garnering NJCAA All-American recognition.

Tennessee

• Kamara then moved on to University of Tennessee (2015–2016).

• In 2015, he had a strong debut: in his first game, he rushed for 144 yards (a school record for a debut) and also scored a punt-return touchdown, among other contributions.

• Over his two seasons at Tennessee, Kamara compiled nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage and averaged about a touchdown per game, despite sharing carries in the backfield.

• After the 2016 season, he declared for the NFL Draft, foregoing his senior year.

Professional Career in the NFL

Draft & Rookie Season

• Kamara was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 3rd round (67th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft.

• In his rookie year, he shared backfield duties with Mark Ingram, but made an immediate impact with both rushing and receiving.

• He tallied 728 rushing yards and 826 receiving yards, becoming one of the few in NFL history to exceed 700 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards in a season.

• He earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, a Pro Bowl selection, and a spot on the All-Rookie team.

Subsequent Seasons & Highlights

• In 2018, with Ingram suspended for part of the season, Kamara’s role expanded, and he posted strong numbers in both rushing and pass-catching.

• The 2020 season was a marquee moment: Kamara tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns in a Christmas Day game versus Minnesota.

• That year, he also signed a 5-year contract extension with the Saints.

• He has been named to multiple Pro Bowls (five straight from 2017 onward) and made All-Pro second team selections.

• Throughout his career, Kamara’s versatility as both a runner and receiver has distinguished him from traditional backs.

• He has broken franchise records; for instance, as of late 2024, he became the Saints’ all-time rushing leader, surpassing Mark Ingram.

• In October 2024, Kamara signed a two-year extension worth $24.5 million to remain with the Saints.

• In some seasons, injuries and a short suspension (in 2023 he was suspended three games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy) have limited his full-season output.

Statistics & Milestones

• Through 2025 (Week 5), Kamara has amassed over 7,000 rushing yards and 4,800 receiving yards, scoring more than 60 rushing touchdowns and 25 receiving touchdowns.

• He holds NFL records including most 2-point conversions by a player (tied) and six rushing touchdowns in a single game (tied record).

• He also has the distinction of being the Saints’ all-time touchdown leader by combining rushing and receiving touchdowns.

Personality, Business & Off-Field

• Off the field, Kamara is entrepreneurial. He launched “The Big Squeezy”, a juice and smoothie chain in Louisiana, with multiple locations.

• He also became a Growth and Engagement Advisor for NASCAR, bridging his platform into motorsports activism and involvement.

• His legal troubles have occasionally drawn attention: in February 2022, after the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas, Kamara was arrested for battery resulting in serious bodily harm. He later paid restitution and was fined; in 2023, this incident contributed to a three-game NFL suspension.

Famous Quotes by Alvin Kamara

Kamara is not primarily known for a large public record of quotes, but a few stand out:

“Nothing in life when it comes to me, I think personally, says ‘loser’.”

This reflects a mindset of self-belief and refusing to accept defeat.

Additionally, his actions and interviews often emphasize hard work, belief, and keeping faith in his path — though many of the popular “quotes” attributed to him online are embellished or paraphrased by fans.

Lessons from Alvin Kamara’s Journey

1. Versatility is power
   Kamara’s skill set in both rushing and receiving makes him a multi-dimensional threat, giving him resilience in changing game plans.

2. Seizing opportunity
   When given a larger role (e.g. in 2020), Kamara made the most of it, turning moments into signature career highlights.

3. Resilience through adversity
   Facing injuries, suspension, and competition, Kamara has repeatedly bounced back and remained productive.

4. Balance athlete and entrepreneur
   His ventures like The Big Squeezy show that athletes can expand their brand beyond the field.

5. Legacy is built in both stats and moments
   Records are laudable, but moments like the six-touchdown game or breaking franchise rushing records elevate one into mythic status.

Conclusion

Alvin Kamara’s story is still unfolding. At a relatively young age and already holding significant records, he remains central to the Saints’ offense and to NFL narratives about great, dual-threat running backs. His journey—through highs, challenges, reinvention, and impact—offers lessons about talent, adaptability, mindset, and the long arc of a career in modern professional sports.

Recent news about Kamara