Born to Haitian parents in West Palm Beach Florida November 22, 1991, Bernard began his football career at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, ranking number two running back in the state, and number twelve in the United States.

College Career

Recruited by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, after release from an initial commitment with Notre Dame, Bernard made running back rush five straight games. His season high rush of 155 yards during a game against Georgia Tech contributed to 1,222 rushing yards, and 20th rank by the NCAA Division. The second Tar Heels running back to exceed the 1,000-yards plateau, Bernard established the bar for rushing yards, average yards per carry, and receiving yard performance. Highlights from his college career include the 2012 CFPA Punt Returner Trophy.

2013 Pre-draft

Entering the 2013 NFL Draft, Bernard was projected to be selected between the first to third round. Ranked the 4^th best running back / 67^th best prospect by NFLDraftScout.com, at the NFL Combine, he was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals during the 2^nd round, placing 37^th overall in the recruiting process. Bernard was a top running back prospect in the draft, with a 40 time of 4.53.

2013 Rookie Season

The Bengals signed Bernard on a four-year, $5.25 million salary, $2.2 million bonus, and $3.2 million guarantee contract on May 23, 2013. He made his professional debut at the season opener against rival, Chicago Bears, resulting in 4 carries for 22 rushing yards, and an 8-yard reception. He scored 2 touchdowns in a 20–10 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, September 16, 2013. He ended the season with 695 rushing yards, 56 receptions, 1,209 total yard, 514 receiving yards, 5 rushing and 3 receiving touchdowns.

2014

Named the Bengals' starting running back for 2014, Bernard carried the ball 14 times for 48 yards, and making 6 receptions for 62 receiving yards at the season opener. He finished the second season with 168 carries, 680 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 43 catches, 349 receiving yards, and 2 receiving touchdowns in 13 games, and 9 starts, despite injury in Week 9.

2015

Week 1 Bernard scored with 20 carries for 123 rushing yards for a 24-19 win against the San Diego Chargers. Week 5 the Bengals defeated the Seattle Seahawks in an overtime win of 27–24, and tallying 100-yards scrimmage, 80 yards on the ground. Bernard also performed 33 rushing yards on 14 carries, in a 24–14 win against the San Francisco 49ers. He finished the season with 154 rushing attempts for 730 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns, 49 receptions for 472 receiving yards, in 16 games and 1 start.

2016

In a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers September 18, 2016, Bernard caught 9 vertical passes for 100 yards, and a touchdown, in a career-high, second 100-plus receiving yard game, and 6^th receiving touchdown. While playing the Cleveland Browns October 23, 2016, he ran for 80 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Bernard finished the season with 92 carries for 337 rushing yards, as well as 2 touchdowns during 39 receptions for 336-yards, and 1 touchdown in 10 games, and 2 starts.

Personal

Giovani is the sibling of Yvenson Bernard, Oregon State running back.

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