Kenneth Acker (born February 6, 1992) is a former
American football
American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team wi ...
defensive back. He was originally drafted by the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National ...
in the sixth round of the
2014 NFL Draft. He played
college football at
Southern Methodist University
, mottoeng = "The truth will make you free"
, established =
, type = Private research university
, accreditation = SACS
, academic_affiliations =
, religious_affiliation = United Methodist Church
, president = R. Gerald Turner
, ...
.
College career
Acker started out at
Southern Methodist University
, mottoeng = "The truth will make you free"
, established =
, type = Private research university
, accreditation = SACS
, academic_affiliations =
, religious_affiliation = United Methodist Church
, president = R. Gerald Turner
, ...
, playing football as a
freshman in 2010. He remained in SMU until 2013, when he graduated as a Senior and entered the
2014 NFL Draft. During his time at SMU, Acker made 128 tackles, 31 assisted tackles, 6 interceptions, and scored a defensive touchdown. His most successful year was his
Junior
Junior or Juniors may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* ''Junior'' (Junior Mance album), 1959
* ''Junior'' (Röyksopp album), 2009
* ''Junior'' (Kaki King album), 2010
* ''Junior'' (LaFontaines album), 2019
Films
* ''Junior'' (1994 ...
year in 2012, when he made the Top 10 in the
Conference USA for punt return yards, interceptions, interception return yards, interception return touchdowns, and passes defended.
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
Acker was drafted by the
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers (also written as the San Francisco Forty-Niners) are a professional American football team based in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the league's National ...
in the sixth round of the
2014 NFL Draft, before signing a four-year contract with the 49ers. He played during the pre-season, and impressed during the game against the
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football franchise based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team is headquar ...
, drawing an offensive penalty, knocked away a pass, and even made an interception, only for it to be called back due to a penalty. Acker played through the pre-season with a stress fracture in his left foot, and was placed on injured reserve shortly after the diagnosis.
After a strong preseason in 2015, Acker was given the starting cornerback job shortly before the 49ers regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Acker was on the field for a team high 56 defensive snaps in a 20-3 49ers victory.
Through Week 14, Acker had impressed in his starting role, having amassed 3 interceptions (tied for the team lead), 8 pass deflections and 58 solo tackles.
He lost his starting job that week to
Dontae Johnson.
Kansas City Chiefs
On August 27, 2016, Acker was traded to the
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's American Football Conference (AFC) West division.
The ...
for an undisclosed draft pick.
Indianapolis Colts
On April 11, 2018, Acker signed with the
Indianapolis Colts. He was released on May 15, 2018.
Jacksonville Jaguars
On August 11, 2018, Acker signed with the
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) South division. The team pla ...
. He was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2018. He was released on September 8, 2018.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On January 29, 2021, Acker signed with the
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are a professional Canadian football team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. The Roughriders compete in the Canadian Football League (CFL) as a member club of the league's West Division.
The Roughriders were founded in ...
. He was released on July 16, 2021.
References
External links
Saskatchewan Roughriders bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Acker, Kenneth
Living people
1992 births
Players of American football from Portland, Oregon
American football cornerbacks
SMU Mustangs football players
San Francisco 49ers players
Kansas City Chiefs players
Indianapolis Colts players
Jacksonville Jaguars players
Saskatchewan Roughriders players