Beanie Wells Christopher Michael Wells ( born August 7 , 1988 ) , known as Chris Wells or Beanie Wells , is an American football running back who last played for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League . He was selected in the first round ( 31st overall pick ) of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University . High school career . Wells was a highly touted player out of high school , where he played at Akron Garfield High School . His high school running back coach Ben Dunn said that Beanie was one of the most explosive play - makers he had seen in his 28 years at the school . He was often considered the best recruit out of Ohio . Wells played at Akron Garfield High from 2002 to 2005 , graduating early in December . He was listed as the top running back and All - American by Parade in 2006 . College recruiting . Wells was offered to play at schools such as Michigan and USC , but Wells always knew he was going to play at Ohio State , saying " I think I came out of my mom ’ s womb wanting to go to Ohio State . " College career . Beanie ' s number during his career at Ohio State was 28 . Freshman year . During Wells ' freshman year , he shared carries with Antonio Pittman but still had a solid freshman year , and was a big part of the 2006 Buckeyes . The highlight of his freshman year came in the where he broke a 52 yard run for a TD that put the Buckeyes up for the rest of the game . Wells ' Freshman Stats Sophomore year . With Antonio Pittman going into the NFL Draft , Wells became the starting running back and started every game in his sophomore year for Ohio State . Wells rushed for 222 yards in the annual rivalry game against Michigan , more than any other Ohio State running back against Michigan . His stats for this season are as follows : Junior year . Wells rushed 13 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown in his first game against the Youngstown State Penguins on August 30 , 2008 . He also suffered a foot injury . After missing three games , he returned to the starting lineup September 27 , 2008 against Minnesota , where he rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries . He then followed that performance up with a 22 carry , 168 yard effort against Wisconsin , which included a 33 - yard touchdown on the game ' s first possession and a 54 - yard run to start the second half . In the November 15 game against Illinois , Wells leaped over an Illini defender , images of which were re - broadcast widely . He entered the NFL Draft , and was drafted 31st overall by the Arizona Cardinals . Professional career . Arizona Cardinals . Wells was drafted in the first round ( 31st overall ) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2009 NFL Draft . He competed for the starting running back job with Tim Hightower . On August 1 , 2009 , Wells was signed to a five - year contract . Later that day , he was carted off from practice with an ankle injury . On August 28 , 2009 , Wells made his professional debut with the Cardinals in a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers . He ended the night with seven carries for a total of 46 yards and two touchdowns , including a 20 - yard score in the second quarter . On October 25 , 2009 , in the second quarter against the New York Giants , Wells ran 13 yards for his first NFL touchdown . In that game against , Wells rushed for 67 yards on 14 attempts . On December 20 , 2009 , Wells had his first career 100 - yard game , against the Detroit Lions , with 17 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown . On January 16 , 2010 , Wells scored his first postseason touchdown , a four - yard rush against the New Orleans Saints . He ended the season with 793 yards rushing , second - best among rookies after Knowshon Moreno . He also caught 12 passes for an 11 . 9 yard average . For the 2011 NFL season , the Arizona Cardinals and coach Ken Whisenhunt are placing a heavy emphasis on the ground - attack led by Wells . The decision was mostly influenced by the departure of Tim Hightower to the Washington Redskins , in turn giving the starting back role to Wells . On November 27 , 2011 , Wells set a Cardinals single - game and personal record by rushing for 228 yards against the St . Louis Rams . Wells ' performance eclipsed the team record previously held by LeShon Johnson , who rushed for 214 yards against the New Orleans Saints in 1996 . Wells finished the 2011 season with his first 1 , 000 yard season , ending with 1 , 047 yards on 245 carries ( a 4 . 3 average ) and 10 touchdowns . On September 26 , 2012 , Wells was placed on the injured reserve list due to a severe turf toe injury but received the new " designated to return " tag and is expected to return in practice on November 7 . On Sunday , November 25 , 2012 , Wells made his first appearance back from Injured Reserve for Arizona ' s game against the St . Louis Rams , scoring his first two touchdowns of the season . On March 11 , 2013 , Wells was released by the Cardinals . Personal . Wells was born August 7 , 1988 in Akron , Ohio and is one of eleven children . His parents are James and Paulette Wells . The nickname Beanie was given to him by his family at a young age and he has said , " when I was young , my big brother said I was skinny like a bean pole . "