Bob Kennedy (American football, born 1921)

Robert Henry Kennedy (June 29, 1921 – July 29, 2010) was a professional American football player who played running back for five seasons for the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the New York Yanks of the National Football League (NFL).[1]

Bob Kennedy
refer to caption
Kennedy, circa 1942
No. 85
Position:Running back
Defensive back
Personal information
Born:(1921-06-29)June 29, 1921
Sandpoint, Idaho, U.S.
Died:July 29, 2010(2010-07-29) (aged 89)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Sandpoint (ID)
College:Washington State
NFL Draft:1943 / Round: 4 / Pick: 27
Career history
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch U.S. Army Air Forces
Rank  Lieutenant
Battles/warsWorld War II
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Football career

After graduation from Sandpoint High School in northern Idaho, Kennedy attended Washington State College in Pullman and played college football for the Cougars;[2][3][4][5] he was an All-American fullback and quarterback.[6] He continued to play football for the U.S. Army Air Forces during the years of World War II,[6] with the Third Air Force Gremlins.

Although selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1943 NFL Draft,[7] after the war Kennedy signed a contract to play for the upstart New York Yankees of the AAFC, a new professional league established in competition with the established NFL. Kennedy played "both ways" for the Yankees, starting as a running back on offense and a linebacker and defensive back on defense.[6]

In 1950, following the merger of the AAFC and the NFL, Kennedy played one season for the short-lived New York Yanks of the NFL.

After football

During his later years, Kennedy worked as a real estate broker and a property developer in southern California; he was a proficient chef and an aficionado of playing cards.[6]

He was inducted into the WSU athletic hall of fame in 1988.[8]

References
  1. "Bob Kennedy Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. Strite, Dick (October 4, 1942). "WSC Cougars plow through Webfoots, 7-0". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 1.
  3. Hampson, Fred (October 25, 1942). "Washington State overpowers Oregon State, 26-13". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 18.
  4. "Boom! Kennedy scores". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). (photo). November 9, 1942. p. 11.
  5. "Kennedy winds up as leader". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 7, 1942. p. 11.
  6. "Robert H. 'Bob' Kennedy," The Arizona Republic, www.azcentral.com/
  7. "Many W.S.C. and Idaho football players named in pro league draft". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. April 9, 1943. p. 13.
  8. Pierce, Oliver (September 14, 1988). "Six to join WSU's hall of fame". Idahonian. (Moscow). p. 9A.
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