Until November 14, 2015, Ball held the NCAA Division I-FBS record for most career rushing touchdowns with 77[2] and the NCAA DivisionI FBS-record for most career total touchdowns with 83.[3]
Early years
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.[4] 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]
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).[6][7]
Ball played in 12 games, including starts in the final four games.[8] 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.[9] At the end of the season, Ball was named consensus honorable mention All-Big Ten.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
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.[13] 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.[14]
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.[15] Ball had 27 touchdowns (23 rushing and 4 receiving) at the end of that game.[16]
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.[17][18]
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.[19] He trails Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders, who scored 39 touchdowns in 1988.[20]
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.[27]
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.[28]
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.[29] He finished the season with 1,923 rushing yards, 33 rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions, 306 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns.[30]
On January 5, 2012, Ball announced he would return for his senior year with the Badgers rather than enter the 2012 NFL Draft.[31]
On October 13, 2012, Ball scored three rushing touchdowns against Purdue, giving Ball a career total of 72 touchdowns.[32] 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.[33]
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.[34]
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.[35] He was named as a Consensus All-American.[36]
On January 1, 2013, Ball became the first player in Rose Bowl Game history to score a touchdown in three straight years.[37] Overall, he finished the season with 1,830 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns.[38]
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
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.[39]
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 was drafted 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]
Ball started in only three regular season games in 2014 and suffered a groin injury in Week 5. He was placed on injured reserve on December 13, 2014, finishing the 2014 season with 172 yards and one touchdown.[49][50]
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.[51]
New England Patriots
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.[52] 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.[53]
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.[54]
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.[55][56] 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.[57] Ball was drunk during the incident.[52]
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.[52]
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.[52]
Ball has a son named Maverick who he credited with helping lift him from alcoholism and irresponsibility.[52] He is now an Outreach Specialist for Wisconsin Voices of Recovery.[59]
The Wisconsin Badgers football program represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the sport of American football. Wisconsin competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. The Badgers have competed in the Big Ten since its formation in 1896. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football. Wisconsin is one of 26 College football programs to win 700 or more games. The program has been one of the most successful programs since the 1990s. Wisconsin has had two Heisman Trophy winners, Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne, and has had twelve former players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
The 2009 Wisconsin Badgers football team competed on behalf of the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were coached by Bret Bielema and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. The Badgers finished the season 10–3, 5–3 in Big Ten play and beat Miami (FL) 20–14 in the Champs Sports Bowl.
The 2010 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by fifth-year head coach Bret Bielema, were members of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–2, 7–1 in the Big Ten to be crowned Big Ten co-champions along with Michigan State. Due to being ranked the highest of the three schools in the BCS rankings at the end of the season, the Badgers earned the conference's automatic bid to the Rose Bowl, where they were defeated 21–19 by TCU.
Scott Jeffery Tolzien is a former American football quarterback and coach who is the quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
James Calvin White is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. A three-time Super Bowl winner, White was primarily used as a receiver. He set the Super Bowl records for receptions and points scored in Super Bowl LI. He also holds the record for the most receptions in a playoff game, achieved in the 2018–19 AFC Divisional Round.
The 2011 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by sixth-year head coach Bret Bielema, are members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–3, 7–2 in Big Ten play to be Leaders Division co–champions with Penn State. Due to their head-to-head win over Penn State, the Badgers represented the division in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game where they defeated Legends Division champion Michigan State 42–39 to become Big Ten Champions. They were invited to the Rose Bowl for the second consecutive year where they were defeated by Oregon 38–45.
The 1980 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their third season under head coach Dave McClain, the Badgers finished in a tie for sixth place in the Big Ten Conference, compiled a 4–7 record, and were outscored by their opponents by a combined total of 211 to 138. The team played its home games in Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
The 2013 Rose Bowl, the 99th edition of the annual game, was a college football bowl game played on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at the same-named stadium in Pasadena, California. The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association is the organizer of the game. The game matched Big Ten Conference Champions Wisconsin Badgers against the Pac-12 Conference Champions Stanford Cardinal, a rematch of the same two teams in the 2000 Rose Bowl. The Cardinal defeated the Badgers 20–14 for the Rose Bowl Championship. This was Wisconsin's third consecutive Rose Bowl defeat.
The 2012 Wisconsin Badgers football team represent the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by seventh-year head coach Bret Bielema, through December 4, 2012, and Barry Alvarez for the Rose Bowl are members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers lost their final game 20-14 in the Rose Bowl to the Stanford Cardinal of the Pac-12 Conference on January 1, 2013.
The 2012 Big Ten Football Championship Game was a college football game. It was played on December 1, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, to determine the 2012 champion of the Big Ten Conference. It was played between the Wisconsin Badgers of the Leaders Division and the Nebraska Cornhuskers of the Legends Division. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska, 70–31.
The 2013 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by first year head coach Gary Andersen, were members of the Leaders Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium.
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Ameer Abdullah is an American football running back for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played college football at Nebraska. In 2013, Abdullah rushed for 1,690 yards, fourth most for a single season in University of Nebraska history. He decided not to enter the NFL Draft at the end of his junior year, but instead to return for his senior season. He was considered a contender for the 2014 Heisman Trophy. He is a native of Homewood, Alabama.
The 2014 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were led by second-year head coach Gary Andersen, were members of the new West Division of the Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in Big Ten play to be champions of the West Division. As champions of the West Division, they played East Division champions Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game where they lost 59-0.
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The 2016 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by second-year head coach Paul Chryst, were members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
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↑ "2011 Heisman Trophy Voting". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. November 19, 2013. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
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