Kenny Wheaton

Last updated

Kenny Wheaton
No. 30
Position: Cornerback
Safety
Personal information
Born: (1975-03-08) March 8, 1975 (age 49)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: McClintock (AZ)
College: Oregon
NFL draft: 1997  / round: 3 / pick: 94
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:22
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Kenneth Tyron Wheaton (born March 8, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Oregon.

Contents

Early life

Wheaton attended McClintock High School, where he was a two-way player. As a senior he played strong safety and running back, registering 97 tackles (led the team), 669 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He received All-state and Mesa Tribune Area Defensive Player of the Year honors.

He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Oregon. He was a backup as a redshirt freshman. As a sophomore, he became a starter moving between free safety and right cornerback. He collected 60 tackles (fifth on the team) and 4 interceptions, while contributing to the team winning a Pac-10 Championship. He also made arguably the most famous play in Ducks history known as "The Pick". [1] 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 not just to save the game, but it also signaled the start of a new era of winning football for Oregon. The play has long been shown on the replay boards at Autzen Stadium before every Ducks home game.

As a junior, he started 10 games at right cornerback, tallied 72 tackles (5 for loss), 5 interceptions and 2 sacks. As a senior, he started at left cornerback, posting 73 tackles (led the team), 15 passes defensed and 2 interceptions. He had a career-high 16 tackles against Arizona State University.

Wheaton finished his college career with 194 tackles, 10 interceptions and the school record of 380 yards on interception returns, breaking a 49-year record previously set by Jake Leicht. He had an interception return for a touchdown of 70-or-more yards in each of his 3 seasons as a starter.

In 2011, he was inducted into the Oregon University Athletics Hall of Fame. [2]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Wheaton was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (94th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft. [3] His rookie season was a difficult one, a separated shoulder he suffered in a scrimmage against the Oakland Raiders, [4] caused him to miss the first 3 pre-season games, he would return to play in the last exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans, but he re-injured the shoulder and was forced to miss the first 14 regular season games. He also missed time at the end of the year, in order to deal with the death of his younger brother (Derrek), who was killed in a drive-by shooting. [5] He still would play in the last two contests, registering four tackles against the New York Giants in the season finale.

In 1998, after considering that he was the fifth cornerback on the depth chart and that Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith would be difficult to replace as starters, he asked the coaches to switch him to free safety. At his new position, although he was effective defending the pass, he had problems in run-support. He recorded 36 tackles, one interception and 2 fumble recoveries, playing mainly on the nickel defense.

In 1999, he suffered a knee injury while playing against the Indianapolis Colts in the eighth game, that placed him on the injured reserve list on November 16. [6] The injury would turn to be career threatening and the Cowboys didn't renew his contract at the end of the year. [7]

Detroit Fury

In 2002, after being out of football for two years rehabbing his knee injury, he signed with the Detroit Fury of the Arena Football League, playing 9 games (6 starts). [8] He was 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 of the Canadian Football League and was their starting defensive half back.

In 2004, during a playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Wheaton intercepted a pass in the end zone. In a play reminiscent of "The Pick" in his famous college game, Wheaton returned an 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). He 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 was released on January 9, 2009. [9]

Personal life

His younger brother, Derrek, also attended McClintock High School playing varsity football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to play college football at Phoenix College and received a football scholarship to attend the University of Oregon. Derrek was killed on his way home from the Phoenix College football banquet, he was the random victim of a drive by shooting. [10] The Arizona Junior High School Basketball Tournament honors his memory with the Derrek Wheaton MVP Award. [11]

Wheaton's cousin, Markus Wheaton, played for Oregon State University and the Pittsburgh Steelers. His other cousin Marquese Wheaton played for the University of Southern Mississippi, and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2012 training camp. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Jones (cornerback)</span> American football player (born 1982)

Nathan Jones is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in seventh round of the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Rutgers University. He is currently a game official in the NFL, working as a field judge since the 2019 NFL season. As an NFL field judge, Jones wears the uniform number 33.

Patrick Watkins is an American former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. He was also a member of the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Florida State University.

Alex Brink is an American former professional football quarterback. After playing college football at Washington State, Brink was selected by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Cason</span> American football player (born 1986)

Antoine Brandon Cason is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats where he was recognized as a consensus All-American and won the Jim Thorpe Award. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 2008 NFL draft. Cason also played for Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, and Baltimore Ravens.

Robert Cole Williams is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Baylor University.

Rodrick Hill is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Kentucky State Thorobreds. Hill played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Los Angeles Raiders. After his NFL career, he played five seasons in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and still holds the career interception record for that franchise.

Alundis Marcell Brice is an American former professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a member of the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at the University of Mississippi.

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions. He also played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Cowboys. He played college football at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamar Wall</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Jamar Wall is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also was a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas Tech.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Suber</span> American gridiron football player coach (born 1986)

Alex Suber is a gridiron football coach and former professional Canadian Football League player. He is currently the defensive backs coach for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a former defensive back who played for six seasons in the CFL with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Argonauts, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.

Donald Smith is an American former gridiron football cornerback in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Memphis Mad Dogs and Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats from 1992 to 2000. He also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Liberty University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boseko Lokombo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Boseko Lokombo is a Congolese-Canadian professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Lokombo has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakota Prukop</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Dakota Prukop is an American professional football quarterback for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Montana State from 2013 to 2015 and for Oregon in 2016. Prukop has also been a member of the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, New Jersey Generals, and BC Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Treston Decoud</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Treston Decoud is an American football defensive back who is a free agent. He played college football at Oregon State. He has been a member of the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Renegades, Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Elks and New Jersey Generals.

Tyree Robinson is a former American football safety. He played college football at the University of Oregon.

Timothy Gerrard Jackson is n American former professional football safety in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts. He also was a member of the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevon Diggs</span> American football player (born 1998)

Trevon De'Sean Diggs is an American professional football cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DaShaun Amos</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

DaShaun Amos is an American professional football defensive back for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jevon Holland</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 2000)

Jevon Holland is a Canadian-American professional football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, and was selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deommodore Lenoir</span> American football player (born 1999)

Deommodore Lenoir is an American professional football cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon.

References

  1. ↑ "The Pick: How Kenny Wheaton's play changed the Oregon Ducks program" . Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Wheaton, Swimming Duo, Head Duck' 2011 HOF Class" . Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Cowboys get four injured in scrimmage" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Dream keeps Wheaton going" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Cowboys Aikman to sit vs. Cardinals" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Wheaton in waiting game" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Arena League stats" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  9. ↑ "The Toronto Argonauts Football Club has released #30 DS Kenny Wheaton" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Athlete dies from shooting". The Daily Courier. November 21, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Junior Hoops Arizona" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Young Is Released by Buffalo as Teams Trim Their Rosters" . Retrieved February 19, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.