William Dee McKenny (August 4, 1940 - January 31, 2021) was an American

gridiron football Gridiron football,"Gridiron football"
''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Ret ...

player. He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

at the University of Georgia from 1959 to 1961 and was a member of the

1959 Georgia Bulldogs football team The 1959 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the Georgia Bulldogs of the University of Georgia during the 1959 NCAA University Division football season. The Bulldogs won nine games in the regular season and lost only once, an early-seaso ...

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 achieved stardom at Landon High, Jacksonville, Florida, capping his career there by being the MVP for the North squad in the 1958 Florida High School All Star game. He earned All State, AllSouthern, and All America recognition in 1957.

College football

McKenny played varsity football for the University of Georgia from 1959 to 1961 where he played as both an offensive and defensive back. His football honors at UGA included the remarkable feat of being named the Best Defensive Sideback in the SEC and the Best Blocking Back in the SEC in 1961. He was also honored as the Outstanding Bulldog Football Player of 1961. He led the 1961 Bulldogs in rushing, pass receiving and interceptions. 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.

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. "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."

Professional football career

McKenny continued his football career with the

Edmonton Eskimos The Edmonton Elks are a professional Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. The club competes in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member of the league's West Division and plays their home games at the Brick Field at Commo ...

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.
NFF UGA Chapter to Honor Student-Athletes" He now lives with his wife, Kay, in Lawrenceville, GA.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKenny, Bill 1940 births 2021 deaths American players of Canadian football Edmonton Elks players Georgia Bulldogs football players Sportspeople from Lawrenceville, Georgia People from Slayton, Minnesota Players of American football from Jacksonville, Florida Players of American football from Minnesota