Jimmy Kennedy (American football)

fontcolor at NFL.com Jimmy Wayne Kennedy (born November 15, 1979 in Yonkers, New York) is an American football defensive tackle free agent of the National Football League.

NFL

The 6 ft. 4 in,, 320 lb. defensive tackle was the first round pick (#12 overall) of the St. Louis Rams in the 2003 NFL Draft. With two solid defensive tackles, Ryan Pickett and Damione Lewis, taken in 2001, Kennedy did not make a start his rookie season, and made only 1 tackle, and 1 assist that season. The following year, Kennedy played in the final 11 games of the season, starting 6 of them. During this time, he posted 16 tackles. By 2005, Kennedy had earned a spot as the Rams' nose tackle, and started the first 9 games of the season. With a chance to finally play, Kennedy made a respectable 33 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Kennedy was traded to the Broncos on June 8, 2007. On September 1, 2007 the Broncos released him.

Penn State

Kennedy was named a first team All-America by The NFL Draft Report, The Sporting News, and Walter Camp and third-team honors from the Associated Press. A four-year starter at Penn State University, Kennedy was named the 2002 Big Ten Defensive Lineman-of-the-Year and was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. A semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, Kennedy finished his career with 213 tackles, 14 sacks, and 39 tackles-for-loss. Kennedy also played basketball for the Nittany Lions for one year.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation services in 2002.

Early years

Kennedy attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, where he was a three-year starter on both offense and defense. Under Coach Tony DeMatteo, Kennedy earned All-American, all-city, all-conference, all-state, and team MVP honors. He also won a local High School Heisman trophy.

Trivia

He is known to his teammates by his nickname, "The Bear."