John Kimbrough

For the American football wide receiver, seeJohn Kimbrough (wide receiver).

John Kimbrough

Kimbroughc.1942
No. 77
Position:	Fullback
Personal information
Born:	(1918-06-14)June 14, 1918 Haskell, Texas,U.S.
Died:	May 8, 2006(2006-05-08)(aged 87) Haskell, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:	Haskell (Haskell, Texas) Abilene (Abilene, Texas)
College:	Texas A&M(1938–1940)
NFL draft:	1941/ Round: 1 / Pick:2
Career history
New York Americans(1941) Los Angeles Dons(1946–1948)
Career highlights and awards
AAFC rushing touchdowns co-leader(1946) National champion(1939) Unanimous All-American(1940) ConsensusAll-American(1939) 3× First-team All-SWC(1938,1939,1940)
Career AAFC statistics
Rushing yards: 1,224 Rushing average: 3.7 Rushingtouchdowns: 17 Receptions: 35 Receiving yards: 574 Receiving touchdowns: 6
Player stats atPFR
College Football Hall of Fame

John Alec Kimbrough(June 14, 1918 – May 8, 2006) was a college athlete, a member of theTexas Legislature,the star of two western movies and a rancher. His older brotherFrank Kimbroughserved as head football coach for theBaylor Bearsand theWest Texas State Buffaloes.

Football

Kimbrough, an alumnus ofTexas A&M University,was known as the "Haskell Hurricane" when he playedTexas A&M Aggies footballteam. He played fullback on the Aggie's undefeated 1939 national championship team. In 1940 he finished second to theUniversity of Michigan'sTom HarmoninHeisman Trophyballoting. According to hisCollege Football Hall of Famebiography,Jarrin' Johnwas a punishing 6 ft 2 in tall 210 lbrunning backknown for breaking tackles with his high knee action who was honored with induction into that organization in 1954.

Kimbrough was drafted in the first round with the second overall pick in the 1941 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals.In 1941, he started alongTom Harmonin theNew York Americansbackfield in thethird American Football Leagueand became the team's primary running threat after Harmon left the team formilitary service.

Acting

After the AFL folded in response to theJapanese attack on Pearl Harbor,Kimbrough parlayed his gridiron fame and athletic good looks into a Hollywood contract, though he only appeared in two westernmotion pictures,Sundown JimandThe Lone Star Ranger,both released in 1942.

Military

He later served as anArmypilot in thePacific Theater of OperationsduringWorld War II.

Return to football

Returning from military service, Kimbrough played for theLos Angeles Donsof theAll-America Football Conference;his second run at a professional football career was cut short by a series ofheart attacksthat started when he was only 30 years old. He was forced to leave the game in 1948 after three seasons with the Dons.

Politics

Kimbrough was elected to theTexas House of Representativesin 1953 as aDemocrat.

Death

Kimbrough died May 8, 2006, inHaskell, Texas.The cause of death waspneumonia.

References

• Staff and Wire Report. (13 May 2006).John Kimbrough, 87; Football Star, B-Movie Actor, Texas Legislator.Los Angeles Times

External links

• John Kimbroughat theCollege Football Hall of Fame
• John KimbroughatIMDb
• John KimbroughatFind a Grave