Danny Kepley
Daniel "Danny" Kepley (born August 24, 1953) is a former star linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.
| No. 42 | |
| Born: | August 24, 1953 Albemarle, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | LB |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| College | East Carolina |
| Career history | |
| As coach | |
| 1985 | Edmonton Eskimos (Def. Assistant) |
| 2002–2005 | Edmonton Eskimos (Def. Assistant/DL coach) |
| 2006–2010 | Edmonton Eskimos (LB coach) |
| As player | |
| 1975–1984 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star | 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 |
| Awards | 1977 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player 1977 Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy 1980 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player 1980 Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy 1981 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player 1981 Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy |
| Honors | 1987 - Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour |
| Career stats | |
Kepley played college football at East Carolina University. He tried out with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys before starting a 10-year career with the Eskimos from 1975 to 1984.
He was an intense player and hard tackler. Teamed with fellow linebackers Dale Potter and Tom Towns for 8 seasons, this trio formed the backbone of a defence that played in 7 Grey Cup games, winning six championships. Kepley won 3 CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Awards and was an All Star 5 times.
Following retirement, Kepley spent the 1985 season as an assistant coach with the Eskimos. He began a real estate career, worked as a football analyst on both radio (CFRN) and television (CBC, ESPN), and from 2002 to 2010 was an assistant coach with the Eskimos. Kepley has struggled with alcoholism and in 2000 spent time in jail for impaired driving, his fifth such offence.[1]
Kepley was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and in 2006 was named one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#11) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network The Sports Network/TSN.
References
- Back in football heaven - Despite defeat, Dan Kepley is thankful to be part of the game again, Perry Lefko, Toronto Sun, Nov. 25, 2002.