Santonio Beard is a former running back from the University of Alabama

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....

. He left just after his junior season in 2002. Beard's most productive season came in 2002 after the exit of Ahmaad Galloway

Ahmaad Galloway

- College :Ahmaad Galloway is an American football running back. Ahmaad played four years at the University of Alabama. He wore number 29 for the Crimson Tide to honor his former high school teammate, Mario Reed, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a game...

 due to injury. Beard rushed for close to 900 yards his junior season. This was achieved despite splitting carries with former Crimson Tide running back Shaud Williams

Shaud Williams

Shaud Rashae Williams is an American football running back for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Alabama.- Early career :Born in Andrews, Texas, Williams attended Andrews High...

. He currently shares a University of Alabama record for the most touchdowns in a single game with five. He is tied with NFL runningback Shaun Alexander

Shaun Alexander

Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...

. This feat was achieved in 2002 against the University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

.

Beard's most notable game came against the Auburn Tigers

2001 Auburn Tigers football team

The 2001 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season.They posted a 7–5 record, including a record of 5–3 in the Southeastern Conference...

 in 2001, in which he and Ahmaad Galloway

Ahmaad Galloway

- College :Ahmaad Galloway is an American football running back. Ahmaad played four years at the University of Alabama. He wore number 29 for the Crimson Tide to honor his former high school teammate, Mario Reed, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a game...

 rushed for close to 300 yards combined. This ultimately lead to the Crimson Tide's second victory against Auburn University at Jordan-Hare Stadium

Jordan-Hare Stadium

Jordan–Hare Stadium is the playing venue for Auburn University's football team located on campus in Auburn, Alabama, USA. The stadium is named for Ralph "Shug" Jordan, the University's winningest football coach, and Cliff Hare, a member of Auburn's first football team as well as Dean of the Auburn...

.

Professional

After coach Dennis Franchione's departure, Beard decided to forgo his senior year. However, he was undrafted and signed with the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League

Canadian Football League

The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....

. He played for the Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

but was cut after the first season.

Drug arrest

Santonio Beard was arrested on September 13, 2008 on drug possession charges by the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force and charged with possession of cocaine and second-degree marijuana possession. Capt. Greg Kosloff, spokesman for the Tuscaloosa Police Department, said cocaine and marijuana were found in Beard’s possession when a police patrol division stopped Beard on a traffic stop.