Gardner credited seeing other former Bearcats like Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce influence him to earn his degree.
“Guys like Desmond Ridder, guys like Travis Kelce, that just motivated me,” Gardner said. “Travis Kelce didn’t have to get his either, you know, Super Bowl champion, All-Pro, Pro Bowler, all of that. That’s motivation!”
After playing a role in Gardner’s continued education, Kelce and Ridder will face off against the Jets and their star CB in Week 4 and Week 13, respectively.