Bill McKenny

William Dee "Bill" McKenny (born August 4, 1940) is an American former gridiron football player. He played college football at the University of Georgia from 1959 to 1961 and was a member of the 1959 Georgia Bulldogs football team that won the Orange Bowl.

Early life

McKenny was born in Slayton, Minnesota to Charles and Velma McKenny in 1940. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1942.

McKenny was a 1957 All-America football player at Landon High School in Jacksonville. He also earned All-State and All-Southern honors in 1957. Bill was the MVP of the North Squad in the 1958 High School All-Star game.

College football

McKenny played varsity football for the University of Georgia from 1959 to 1961. In his third year, he was named the Best Defensive Sideback and Best Blocking Back, as well as the Outstanding Bulldog Football Player. McKenny was an alternate captain and competed in the 1961 Blue-Gray Bowl as a representative of the South. In 1961, McKenny was named All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) along with tackle Pete Case.[1]

1960 Orange Bowl

The 1959 Bulldogs were projected to place ninth out of 10 teams in the SEC but won the conference title, earning a trip to the Orange Bowl in Miami. Georgia defeated the Missouri Tigers, 14–0. Fran Tarkenton threw two touchdown passes, one to Aaron Box and one to McKenny.[2]

"Coach Butts put in a special play for Missouri. It was a banana route. The two ends went downfield and broke to the sideline. I drifted through the line of scrimmage and ran a banana route through the space created by the defensive backs. I was wide open. Catching that touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton remains a big thrill to this day." [3]

Professional football career

McKenny continued his football career with the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for one year with the Eskimos before being drafted by the United States Army. He did not return to football career after being discharged from active duty.

Later years

In 2013, McKenny was awarded the Postgraduate Achievement Award by the University of Georgia Chapter of the National Football Foundation.[4][5] He now lives with his wife, Kay, in Lawrenceville, GA.

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References
  1. "GeorgiaDogs.com : Football in the 1960s"
  2. "January 1, 1960 – Orange Bowl Stadium"
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2013-12-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Loran Smith: Bill McKinney Has Fond Memories of Mizzou Game
  4. University of Georgia Chapter of National Football Foundation 28th Annual Awards Presentation. April 22, 2103, Ceremony Program, Pg. 16.
  5. "NFF UGA Chapter to Honor Student-Athletes"
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