gold star for USAHOF

104. Jack Kemp

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
  • Published in Football
  • Read 3308 times
  • Rate this item
    (1 Vote)
104. Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp was a late-round (17th) pick in 1957 by the Detroit Lions, but he never played a down for them and would find back-up work with the Pittsburgh Steelers that year.  Kemp would later be on the taxi squad for both the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants but would not see any action, though this would change with the formation of the American Football League.

The Los Angeles Chargers signed Kemp, and he would become their starting Quarterback, where he threw for over 3,000 Yards and took them to the inaugural AFL Championship Game.  Kemp again took the Chargers (now in San Diego) to the AFL Title Game in 1961, though he would still lose.  He would suffer a broken finger, and in a colossal mistake, by Chargers management, he was placed on waivers so that they could make roster moves.  Not realizing that other teams noticed, the Buffalo Bills would land him on a $100 waiver (Denver and Dallas also claimed him, but the AFL Commissioner awarded the Bills him), the biggest bargain in professional football occurred.

Kemp, who was an AFL All-Star in 1961 and 1962, would continue that streak the next four years, and in 1964 he would take Buffalo to the AFL Championship, which this time would see Kemp on the winning side.  He did it again in 1965, this time earning his second First Team All-Pro and winning the AP MVP Award.  He would have to sit out the 1968 season due to injury but returned in 1969 for his final season, which would see him net his seventh AFL All-Star Selection.

While Kemp is often criticized for throwing far more Interceptions (183) than Touchdown Passes (114), it was not uncommon for that to happen in the 1960s.  He also rushed for 40 Touchdowns, a considerable number for a QB, and that can't be ignored.

The bottom line is that it is one of the most successful Quarterbacks of the American Football League, and that means something.

After his career, Kemp would become a U.S. Congressman and once run for the Republican nomination for the Presidency in 1988.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 1975
  • Position: Quarterback
  • Games Played: 122
  • Notable Statistics: 1,436 Pass Completions
    3,073 Pass Attempts
    46.7 Pass Completion Percentage
    21,218 Passing Yards
    114 Touchdown Passes
    183 Interceptions
    57.3 Passer Rating
    356 Rushing Attempts
    1,150 Rushing Yards
    40 Rushing Touchdowns
    1 Reception
    -9 Receiving Yards
    2 Punts
    55 Punting Yards
    83 Approximate Value*

    6 Playoff Games
    78 Pass Completions
    160 Pass Attempts
    48.8 Pass Completion Percentage
    1,126 Passing Yards
    2 Touchdown Passes
    10 Interceptions
    50.2 Passer Rating
    15 Rushing Attempts
    39 Rushing Yards
    1 Rushing Touchdown

    *Approximate Value was calculated by Pro Football Reference as of the 1960 Season
  • Played For: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers , Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers
  • College: Arkansas Tech
  • Drafted: 17th Round, 203rd Overall in 1957
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AFL Champion (Buffalo Bills 1964 & 1965)
    AFL Player of the Year (1965)
    First Team All-Pro (1960 & 1965)
    Second Team All-Pro (1966)
    AFL All-Star (1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 & 1969)
    Most Yards per Pass Attempt (1960 & 1964)
    Most Yards per Pass Completion (1960, 1964 & 1967)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1) (1960)
    Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions (9) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Pass Attempts (9) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards (9) (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdown Passes (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Passer Rating (7) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 & 1967)
    Top Ten Finishes: Passing Yards per Game (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Attempt (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Pass Completion (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Pass Attempts per Game (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completions per Game (8) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Pass Completion Percentage (7) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (6) (1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, & 1966)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1960 & 1963)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 9.  Yards per Pass Completion: 14.8

Should Jack Kemp be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 84.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 7.7%
Last modified on Friday, 24 March 2023 02:00
Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment