Professional American football player Barkevious Mingo has become an icon for many young people after his determination to achieve his dreams regardless. He worked his way to superstardom; thus earning a spot in the National Football League. Mingo was selected by the Cleveland Browns as the sixth overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft. He currently serves as a defensive outside linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. He also played for the New England Patriots with whom he won the Super Bowl LI championship in 2017.

Prior to his professional career, Mingo played college football with the Louisiana State University LSU Tigers. During his time there, he was twice named to the All-SEC Second Team and he also led the Tigers to victory in the 2011 SEC Championship. Learn more about his Biography, NFL Career , his family and other interesting facts below.

Bio of Barkevious Mingo

The football star was born Barkevious Levon Mingo in Belle Glade, Florida on October 4, 1990. He grew up in West Monroe, Louisiana where he attended West Monroe High School. Mingo was a tri-sport athlete, he played in basketball, football as well as track and field events for his school team. He finished his high school football career under coach Don Shows. He led the West Monroe High football team to state championship victory and was also in the 2009 US Army All-American Bowl.

Mingo distinguished himself as an athlete-athlete; He was a gold medalist in the 400m at the 2008 Region I-5A events. He was also part of the winning team in the 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relay of the competition. At the end of her high school career, Mingo earned four stars from Scout.com and Rivals.com. He was named Louisiana’s 3rd best player and fifth best linebacker by Rivals.com

After graduation, Barkevious Mingo enrolled at Louisiana State University (LSU) where he continued his college career with the LSU Tigers. He played under coach Les Miles from 2009 to 2012. In his freshman year, he was redshirted. Upon his return the following year, Mingo played in 13 games for the Tigers averaging 3.5 sacks per game and 35 tackles.

During the 2011 season, he scored 8 sacks and 47 tackles which earned him All-SEC second team selection. He also led the Tigers to victory in the SEC Championship. In his junior year in 2012, he earned SEC second-team honors after scoring 4.5 sacks per game, 12 quarterback carries and 38 tackles. At the end of the season, Mingo announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to join the 2013 NFL Draft.

NFL career and statistics

During the 2013 NFL Draft, Barkevious Mingo was chosen by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the NFL Draft. He was the sixth selection and third defensive endman to be selected in 2013. Playing for the Browns in 2013, Mingo appeared in 15 games, made five sacks and defended four assists with 42 fights combined. The following year, he carried a total of two sacks and 42 tackles in 15 games. He was converted to outside linebacker and finished the 2015 season with three tackles.

However, Mingo was traded by Browns to England’s NewPatriotes; in exchange for a 2017 fifth-round pick. He joined the Patriots in August 2016 and led the Patriots to winning the Super Bowl LI competition in February 2017. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 34 at 28. At the end of the 2016 season, Mingo signed a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with the Indianapolis Colts. He fired a total of two deflections, two sacks and 47 combined tackles. After the 2017 season, he joined the Seattle Seahawks on a two-year, $6.8 million contract.

His family

Barkevious was born to African American parents Barbara Johnson and her husband Hugh Mingo. He has four siblings, two older brothers named Hughtavious and Hugh III; as well as two younger brothers named LaDarian Johnson and Malik Mingo. As they were growing up, his mother never wanted any of her children to play touch with the fear of getting hurt. Barkevious, however, paid no heed to his mother’s decision, as he went behind her back to play football, basketball and other track sports during high school. Today, his decision made several years ago has allowed him to play among the superstars of the National Football League.

During a press conference held at ClevelandBrowns HQ after the 2013 draft; Barkevious recalled that his mother never wanted him or his brothers to get involved in football, but she is now proud of the star her son has become. According to his mother, her son is not the one who gets hurt, but the one who likes to eat quarterbacks. His mother and girlfriend were present at his planned party. He had a relationship with his sweetheart Lauren in college. Just like Mingo, Lauren also graduated from LSU in 2013.

His height and measurements

Barkevious Mingo is such a big and explosive pass rusher; he is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 241 pounds. He is also very good at setting the course for a race; his agility and length give him good coverage on the pitch. Also, he has an arm length of 33 cm and a hand size of 9 5/8 inches. Barkevious has black hair and brown eyes.