Kenny Wheaton
{{NFL.com player}} template missing ID and not present in Wikidata. Kenneth Tyron "Kenny" Wheaton[1] (born March 8, 1975 in Phoenix, Arizona) is a defensive back who most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
Personal life
Wheaton attended McClintock High School in Tempe, Arizona. Kenny was part of a strong football family in Tempe. Kenny Wheaton's brother Derrek Wheaton also attended McClintock High School playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball. Derrek went on to play college football at Phoenix College and received a football scholarship to attend the University of Oregon. Derrek was tragically killed on his way home from the Phoenix College football banquet, he was the random victim of a drive by shooting. [2] The Arizona Junior High School Basketball Tournament honors Derrek's memory with the Derrek Wheaton MVP Award. [3]
Wheaton's cousin Andre Bailey also played football at [McClintock High School]] and went on to play college football at Mesa Community College before attending the University of Texas El Paso. [4]
College career
Wheaton played college football at the University of Oregon where, in his freshman season in 1994, he made arguably the most famous play in Ducks history known as "The Pick." As time was winding down and the University of Washington was driving down to the Oregon nine-yard line, Wheaton intercepted a Damon Huard pass and ran it back for a touchdown to save the game.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
After three seasons at Oregon, Wheaton was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL in the 1997 NFL Draft. In three seasons with the Cowboys, Wheaton predominantly played on special teams.
Arena League
In 2002, Wheaton joined the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League playing nine games, but starting in only six of them. He was later traded to the Colorado Crush during the offseason, only to be cut by the team in training camp.
Toronto Argonauts
In 2003, Wheaton signed with the Toronto Argonauts and was their starting defensive half back.
In 2004, during a playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Wheaton intercepted a pass into the end zone. In a play reminiscent of "The Pick" in his famous college game, Wheaton returned the interception from deep in his own end for a touchdown setting a CFL post-season record for the longest ever interception return for a touchdown (116 yards). Wheaton went on to help his team win the 92nd Grey Cup championship with the Argonauts that season.
Wheaton was named to CFL East Division All-Star team each year between 2005-2008. He also was a CFL All-Star in 2007.
On January 9, 2009, Wheaton was released by the Argonauts.[5]
External links
- Kenny Wheaton Foundation
- Video of "The Pick"
- Oregon Coach Rich Brooks looks back at “The Pick”
- AFL stats
References
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