Jaime Mendez (American football)
| Jaime Mendez | |
|---|---|
| College | Kansas State University |
| Conference | Big 8 |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Free Safety |
| Jersey # | 32 |
| Major | Business Administration |
| Career | 1990–1993 |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Born | February 20, 1971 Youngstown, Ohio, U.S. |
| High school | Cardinal Mooney |
| Honors | |
| |
| Bowl games | |
| 1993 Copper Bowl | |
Jaime Mendez (born February 20, 1971) is a former American collegiate football free safety, who was an All-American at Kansas State University. He is the Wildcats' all-time career leader in interceptions with 15.[1]
High school
[edit]Mendez was an all-state selection at Cardinal Mooney, the same school that produced former Wildcat co-defensive coordinator Bob Stoops and former defensive ends coach Mike Stoops. His coach was Don Bucci. He helped high school team register eight shutouts in 1987 en route to a 13–1 record and the Division III state title. Jaime's greatest game was his only loss that year but was in double overtime against Elvis Grbac - 1988 Desmond Howard-1988.(both of Cleveland St. Joe's) Cardinal Mooney also captured the league title in 1988. Mendez was a sprinter on the high school track team along with serving as all seniors at Cardinal Mooney do as a football team captain.
College career
[edit]After redshirting in 1989, Mendez tied the K-State season record with six interceptions and broke the school standard for interception return yardage with 154 yards as a redshirt freshmen in 1990. He was an honorable mention All-Big 8, as well as newcomer of the year. He was ninth nationally in interceptions. As a sophomore in 1991, he earned first team All-Big 8 as well as being named third-team All-American. He finished third on the team with 79 tackles and fourth in the Big 8 with nine passes broken up. As a junior in 1992, he earned consensus first-team All-Big Eight honors as well as honorable mention All-American honors. He set a modern-day Big 8 record and school record with four interceptions in a win over Temple, including three in the first half. As a senior in 1993, he again earned consensus first-team All-American honors and earned first-team All-Big Eight once again. He was one of eight semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award He was named team's co-MVP and co-captained team to a 9–2–1 record and the school's first bowl victory in a 52–17 blowout against Wyoming in the 1993 Copper Bowl.[2]
Career statistics
[edit]| Year | Team | G | Tkl | Ast | Int |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Kansas State | 11 | 40 | 20 | 6 |
| 1991 | Kansas State | 11 | 79 | 32 | 1 |
| 1992 | Kansas State | 11 | 67 | 26 | 6 |
| 1993 | Kansas State | 11 | 127 | 58 | 2 |
| Career Totals | 44 | 313 | 136 | 15 |
Personal life
[edit]Mendez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, was married to actress Essence Atkins on September 26, 2009 and divorced in 2016. They have a child.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ All time records
- ^ Career notes[permanent dead link]
- ^ Elaine Aradillas (October 15, 2009). "Half and Half's Essence Atkins Says I Do". People Magazine. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2009.