Kevin Jordan (American football) explained

Kevin Jordan
Number:86
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:14 December 1972
Birth Place:Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:188
College:UCLA
Undraftedyear:1996
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Pfr:J/JordKe21

Kevin Michael Jordan (born December 14, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for one season in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins, receiving All-American honors as a junior in 1994. He played professionally for the Arizona Cardinals and was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. After trying out with the Denver Broncos, he became a chaplain for UCLA sports teams as well as the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early life

Jordan attended high school at High Point High in Beltsville, Maryland. He was a 170lb tight end on a team that ran the winged-T and did not pass the ball much. He was more notable as an All-American defensive back, recording 16 interceptions as a senior.[1] He decided to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he joined his brother, Al.[2]

College career

Jordan missed a season after suffering an injury in a high school all-star game, and sat out another as a redshirt.[2] Having not played on a passing team at High Point, he needed to adjust to the more complicated schemes at UCLA.[1] Jordan began his Bruins career with 18 receptions for 150 yards as a freshman.[2] He followed with a solid performance of 45 catches for 612 yards in 1993, but he was overshadowed that season by teammate J. J. Stokes, who set UCLA records with 82 catches for 1,181 yards and 17 touchdowns.[2] [3]

In the season opener of 1994, Jordan stepped up for an injured Stokes with six receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown in a 25–23 win over Tennessee.[3] He earned first-team All-American honors from Football News and third-team from Associated Press that season after recording 73 catches and breaking Stokes' single-season school record with 1,228 yards.[4] [5] [6] He finished fourth in the nation in receiving yards per game (111.6) and sixth in receptions per game (6.6).[7] However, Jordan injured his right knee in the final game when he was hit by two USC defenders after catch, and he had surgery to repair a partially torn ligament in February 1995.[8] Impacted by the injury, his production dropped in 1995.[9] Still, he finished at UCLA as the school's career leader in catches (179) and receiving yards (2,548).[10]

NFL career

Jordan was not selected in the 1996 NFL draft, but signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.[10] He played one game for Arizona in 1996 and was active but did not see action in two games; he was on the inactive list on four others. Arizona waived him midseason in October, and he was claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals, who released him the following month.[10] [11] During the 1997 offseason, he married Jenny Johnson, who was a volleyball player at UCLA when they met in 1992. Jordan tried out with the Denver Broncos in 1998, but he struggled with injuries and was cut.[12] [13]

Later years

After his playing career ended, Jordan became a missionary with Athletes in Action, a college religious organization, and also became a chaplain for the UCLA football team.[14] Jordan and his wife relocated from Los Angeles after he accepted an offer to be the chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers under Coach Mike Tomlin,[12] [15] who later credited Jordan with establishing unity on their Super Bowl-winning team of 2009.[15] [16]

After four years in Pittsburgh and a second trip to the Super Bowl, Jordan and his wife returned to Los Angeles and started 4TheJourney ministry and served as chaplains for the UCLA women's basketball team.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Hodges . Jim . Jordan Ready for Next Hurdle . October 5, 1993 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119132234/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-10-05/sports/sp-42461_1_high-school-program . November 19, 2015 . live .
  2. News: Hodges . Jim . Clearly, He's K.J., Not J.J. . November 8, 1994 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119083720/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-11-08/sports/sp-60171_1_kevin-jordan . November 19, 2015 . live .
  3. News: Dilbeck. Steve. UCLA's Jordan catches up. September 4, 1994. The San Bernardino County Sun. C6. November 20, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  4. News: Mell . Randall . Um Vs. Ucla At Pasadena . September 2, 1995 . Orlando Sun-Sentinel . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119120855/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-09-02/sports/9509010627_1_um-s-head-coach-h-back-fiesta-bowl . November 19, 2015 . live .
  5. News: Cougars' Patterson named All-America; Football News salutes defensive lineman . November 23, 1994 . The Lewiston Tribune . https://web.archive.org/web/20220606032226/https://lmtribune.com/cougars-patterson-named-all-america-football-news-salutes-defensive-lineman/article_129cf2ac-5d65-5b63-ae2e-a2c9b589be87.html . June 6, 2022 . live .
  6. News: Boselli Makes the First Team . December 8, 1994 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119134911/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-12-08/sports/sp-6370_1_college-football-team . November 19, 2015 . live .
  7. News: Alesia. Mark. THREE BRUINS PLAN TO STAY EDWARDS, JORDAN, OGDEN WON'T JUMP EARLY TO THE NFL. January 11, 1995. Los Angeles Daily News. https://web.archive.org/web/20160220211322/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-24988280.html. dead. February 20, 2016. November 20, 2015.
  8. News: Springer . Steve . Jordan Says He's Not Back to Normal . August 27, 1995 . Los Angeles Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119125133/http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-27/sports/sp-39560_1_kevin-jordan . November 19, 2015 . live .
  9. News: Kansas defensive tackle all business on the field. December 25, 2015. The Salina Journal. B3. Associated Press. November 18, 2015. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Jones. Todd. BENGALS PICK UP WIDE RECEIVER. October 17, 1996. The Cincinnati Post. https://web.archive.org/web/20160220165731/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-72824209.html. dead. February 20, 2016. November 18, 2015.
  11. News: BaseballMarlins: Designated P Joel Adamson for assignment... . November 23, 1996 . The Baltimore Sun . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119151322/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-11-23/sports/1996328056_1_salisbury-ahl-letters-of-intent . November 19, 2015 . live .
  12. News: Yeo . Aubrey . Receiving the Call: Former UCLA player Kevin Jordan finds new mission . The Daily Bruin . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119140619/http://graphics.dailybruin.com/prime/spring-2014/receiving-call/ . November 19, 2015 . live .
  13. News: Transactions . August 18, 1998 . New York Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20151120175120/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/18/sports/transactions-417688.html . November 20, 2015 . live .
  14. News: Lambert . Pam . Torch Bearers . July 10, 2000 . People . 54 . 2 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119123312/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20131753,00.html . November 19, 2015 . live .
  15. News: Stricklin . Art . Steelers embrace new chaplain . February 6, 2009 . Christian Examiner . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119121905/http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/steelers.embrace.new.chaplain/42738.htm . November 19, 2015 . live .
  16. News: Hoffarth . Tom . Coming Thursday: JJJ, the Pittsburgh dealer . August 5, 2009 . insidesocal.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20151119132853/http://www.insidesocal.com/tomhoffarth/2009/page/70/?doing_wp_cron=1425984153.8216199874877929687500 . November 19, 2015 . live .

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