Joe Kendall (American football)
Joseph Nathaniel Kendall (October 2, 1909 – November 25, 1965) was an American football player. Nicknamed "Tarzan" for his athletic prowess, Kendall dominated black college football in the 1930s while leading Kentucky State to a black college football national championship in 1934. He led the Thorobreds to an Orange Blossom Classic victory over Florida A&M in 1935 en route to a 29–7–3 overall record during his playing years. Kendall was a three-time First Team All-America selection from 1934 to 1936 by the Pittsburgh Courier. Following his player career, he served as a coach, teacher, and school principal. As a result of his significant contributions as a recreational director in Owensboro, Kentucky, a park was named in his honor. Kendall was inducted into the Kentucky State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and he is the first inductee from Kentucky State.
| Kentucky State Thorobreds – No. 25 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Back |
| Class | Graduate student |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | October 2, 1909 Owensboro, Kentucky |
| Died: | November 25, 1965 (aged 63) Owensboro, KY |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 171 lb (78 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College |
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| Bowl games |
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| High school | Western Colored HS (Owensboro, KY) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| College Football Hall of Fame (2007) | |