Kenny Irons
Cincinnati Bengals, RB #30


Kenny Irons, born September 15, 1983, is an American football running back who played for Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference and is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals (www.cincinnatibengals.com). He is from Dacula, Georgia and transferred to Auburn from South Carolina in January 2004.
 

Kenny’s College Career

Kenny transferred to Auburn University (www.auburn.edu) from University of South Carolina following the 2003 season in order to play alongside his brother, David. Kenny participated in the Auburn A-Day Spring Game, but was ineligible to play the following year due to NCAA regulations. While sitting out the 2004 season, Kenny was able to apprentice under future NFL stars Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown.

In the 2006 season, Kenny was considered a candidate for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards and the esteemed Heisman Trophy. He rushed for 1500 yards and won multiple post-season awards. The first game of the year was against Washington State University and the highly regarded defense of Bill Doba, featuring Mkristo Bruce. Kenny torched the Cougars for 183 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown, in a 40-14 Tiger victory. Soon after that game, Kenny suffered from a nagging case of turf toe that prevented him from planting his right foot. Some say that Kenny should have sat out until he was full speed, but instead, he played through the injury.

Over the next two games, Kenny was held to less than 100 yards per contest, before he was allowed an off week when the Tigers played the University of Buffalo. Kenny was back on the field the following week, eager to return to Columbia, South Carolina to confront the team and fans that he felt turned their back on him three years earlier The game was a hard fought contest, with a surprise onside kick allowing Auburn to maintain of the ball for the entire 3rd quarter. In the Tigers' exciting victory, Kenny rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns.

For the season, Kenny rushed 198 times for a total of 941 yards and 4 touchdowns, while leading the Tigers to an 11-2 season record. Following the completion of his senior football season, Kenny recovered from his injuries and began to work out and prepare for the 2007 NFL Draft. He and his brother signed with the same agent and worked out together. They traveled together to the Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, and their individual pro days. In the combine, Kenny posted a 4.45 second 40-yard dash time and a 38-inch vertical leap.

Sports Illustrated cited Kenny as: "Quick and elusive ball carrier with terrific football instincts. Patient, shows good vision and follows blocks anywhere on the field. Quickly cuts back against the grain, loses no momentum when he must change direction and has a burst through the hole."

Kenny was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 49th selection of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has been credited with having Chad Johnson-like monologues. In the first practice of the season for the Bengals, Kenny broke a 26-yard run, although fumbling at the end.

During the 2nd quarter of the Bengals first preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Kenny tore his ACL on his fourth carry of the game, ending his rookie season. Kenny is expected to recover fully and be ready for spring workouts.

Kenny’s Charity: