Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner has officially clarified his age, confirming he was born on August 31, 2001 — making him 24 years old, not 25 as widely reported. Multiple sports databases had listed his birth year as 2000, but Gardner corrected the record in a conversation with The Athletic’s James Boyd. The Colts and the NFL have both verified the update, with the team citing Gardner’s passport as the source of the correct date.

Gardner, a two-time first-team All-Pro, was acquired by the Colts from the Jets in a high-profile trade before the 2025 deadline, involving two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The move was meant to solidify Indianapolis’s defense for a playoff push, but injuries derailed the plan. Gardner played just four games after the trade due to a calf issue, while fellow starter Charvarius Ward missed most of the season with three concussions.

The Colts, who were 7-2 at the time of the trade, ultimately collapsed and finished 8-9, extending their playoff drought to five years. With Gardner, Ward, and quarterback Daniel Jones all returning from injury, the team is aiming for a strong rebound in 2026. Gardner has set personal goals of making All-Pro and the Pro Bowl, and for the team, he’s focused on reaching the playoffs and winning a championship — something he hasn’t experienced yet in his career.