Melvin Gordon III (born April 13, 1993) is an American professional football running back.

[1] Gordon was born and raised in Kenosha, Wisconsin and attended Mary D. Bradford High School, where he was a two-sport star for the Red Devils in both football and track.

[5] He earned a second-place finish in the 100-meter dash at the 2011 SEC Outdoor Conference, recording a career-best time of 10.95 seconds.

[6] At the 2011 WIAA Track & Field State Championships, he took silver in the long jump event after posting a career-best leap of 7.20 meters (23 ft 7 in).

[9] Sources: Gordon attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he played for the Wisconsin Badgers football team from 2011 through 2014 under head coaches Bret Bielema, Barry Alvarez, and Gary Andersen.

[26] In explaining his decision, Gordon stated that,"I love the University of Wisconsin and feel that there is still a lot of room for growth...academically, another year in school will help me get closer to completing my degree, and on the field I hope to help my team get back the Big Ten championship.

[35] Gordon began the season with 16 carries for 140 yards against #13 LSU on August 30 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

The previous holder for fastest 2,000 yards was Penn State running back Larry Johnson who accomplished the feat on 251 carries in 2002.

"[50] Gordon was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season as a result of his performance at Kinnick Stadium.

[52] On November 25, Gordon was named as a finalist for the Maxwell Award with quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (Oregon) and Dak Prescott (Mississippi State).

Gordon and fellow Big Ten running backs Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) and Tevin Coleman (Indiana) were named the three finalists for the Doak Walker Award.

[56] Gordon was one of three Heisman Trophy finalists joining Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Alan Ameche (1954) and Ron Dayne (1999) won the award, while Montee Ball (2011) finished fourth in the final balloting.

[59] In Gordon's final college game, the 2015 Outback Bowl, he rushed for 251 yards against the #19 Auburn Tigers in a 34–31 overtime victory.

[1] After the end of the 2014 college football season, Gordon prepared for the NFL Combine at EXOS San Diego in Carlsbad based on his former Wisconsin teammate Jared Abbrederis's recommendation.

[75] Gordon began his professional career being named the starting running back for the Chargers' season opener, ahead of veterans Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver.

[77] The next week, he carried the ball 16 times for a season-high 88 yards and made a 10-yard reception in a 24–19 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals.

[81] Gordon returned to his starting role the next game at the Baltimore Ravens and carried the ball a season-high 18 times for 54 yards in a 26–29 loss.

[83] On December 21, 2015, the Chargers placed Gordon on season-ending injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury the previous day against the Dolphins.

[85][86] On May 10, 2016, it was revealed that Gordon had undergone microfracture surgery in January, but would still be ready for training camp and other activities starting in 2016.

[87] On September 11, 2016, Gordon scored his first two career rushing touchdowns in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gordon was named to his first Pro Bowl as a replacement for injured Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell.

[99] On September 11, 2017, in the season opener against the Broncos on Monday Night Football, Gordon returned from his injury and had a receiving touchdown in the 24–21 loss.

[129] On July 13, 2019, Gordon told the Chargers that if he did not receive a new contract, he would demand to be traded and skip training camp.

His goal in staging a holdout was to make as much money as fellow running backs Todd Gurley, David Johnson, and Le'Veon Bell.

"[132] Gordon continued his holdout into the regular season after the Chargers did not trade him and Ezekiel Elliott was made the NFL's highest-paid running back.

[134] On October 20, in Week 7 against the Titans, the Chargers had driven down the field to Tennessee's one-yard line and had a chance to score late in the fourth quarter.

[147] In Week 13 against the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football, Gordon recorded 15 carries for 131 rushing yards during the 22–16 loss.

[149][150] While sharing with backfield with Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman, Gordon led the team in all major rushing categories.

[172][173] In 2018, Gordon founded the Beyond the Flash Foundation, which is designed to help fight hunger and provide needy families with support.