Kenny King (running back) facts for kids
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | March 7, 1957 Clarendon, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 203 lb (92 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Clarendon (TX) | ||||||
| College: | Oklahoma | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1979 / Round: 3 / Pick: 72 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Kenneth Leon King, born on March 7, 1957, is a former American football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. King mostly played for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders. He also played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners. Kenny King was a key player for the Raiders in two big games: Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII.
High School Football Star
Kenny King was a top running back in Texas. He played for Clarendon High School. In 2008, he was honored for his amazing skills. He was added to the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame.
College Football Career
After high school, Kenny King played for the University of Oklahoma. He played as a tailback and fullback. This was in the famous wishbone offense system. Their coach was Barry Switzer.
In 1976, King was the team's best rusher. He gained 791 yards on 141 carries. This was an average of 5.6 yards per carry. He also scored 4 touchdowns that season. He shared the backfield with Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims.
Professional Football Journey
After college, the Houston Oilers picked King in the 1979 draft. He was the 72nd player chosen overall. After his first season, the Oilers traded King. He then joined the Oakland Raiders.
King played the rest of his NFL career with the Raiders. He moved with the team to Los Angeles in 1982. In Super Bowl XV, King made history. He caught an 80-yard touchdown pass. This was the longest touchdown reception in Super Bowl history at the time. It helped the Raiders win 27-10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This record stood for many years. It was later broken by Green Bay Packer Antonio Freeman. Freeman caught an 81-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XXXI. After his NFL career, King played two games for the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1987 before he retired.
