Bill Kenney
William Patrick "Bill" Kenney (born January 20, 1955) is an American former professional football quarterback who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily as the starter for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1980 to 1988.[1] Drafted in the 12th round (333rd overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 1978—earning the "Mr. Irrelevant" moniker as the second-to-last pick—he transitioned to the Chiefs' roster as a backup before becoming their primary signal-caller, amassing 17,277 passing yards and 105 touchdowns over his career.[1][2] Kenney's most notable on-field achievements include earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1983 after leading the Chiefs to a franchise-record 4,000 passing yards in a single season, one of only four quarterbacks to achieve that mark at the time, and guiding Kansas City to the playoffs in 1986—the team's first postseason berth since 1971.[3][4][5] Following his NFL retirement, Kenney founded Bill Kenney & Associates, a real estate brokerage firm, and entered Missouri politics, serving as a state senator and later as a top aide to Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder before his appointment to the Missouri Public Service Commission in 2013, where he continues to regulate utilities and transportation.[3][6] His contributions to sports were recognized with induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[7]Early life and education
Childhood and high school
William Patrick Kenney was born on January 20, 1955, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in Southern California alongside eight siblings in a large family.[3][4] Kenney attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California, graduating in 1973. During high school, he played quarterback on the football team, earning recognition that contributed to his later athletic pursuits.[8][4]College football career
Kenney received a football scholarship to Arizona State University but did not play during his freshman year in 1974, after which he transferred to Saddleback College, a junior college in Mission Viejo, California.[9] At Saddleback in 1975, he competed as a quarterback, sharing starts with Jim DeBord in an offense that struggled with pass efficiency, completing 19 of 46 attempts for 192 yards in at least one documented game.[10] Following his time at Saddleback, Kenney transferred to the University of Northern Colorado in 1976, where he initially played tight end. An injury to the starting quarterback prompted his move to the position permanently, and he became the starter for the Bears, a Division II program.[11] His performance as a senior in 1977, including starts in key games such as against Utah State, showcased his arm strength and mobility, contributing to his selection as the 333rd overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.[12] Kenney's collegiate journey reflected persistence amid positional shifts and program levels, from Pac-8 powerhouse Arizona State to smaller institutions, ultimately positioning him for professional opportunities despite limited exposure at major programs.[5]College statistics
Kenney began his college football career at Arizona State University but transferred after being asked to switch from quarterback to tight end. He continued at Saddleback College before completing his eligibility at the University of Northern Colorado, where he initially played tight end prior to moving to quarterback in his senior year following an injury to the starter.[5][3][11] Detailed passing or overall statistics from Kenney's college tenure are not comprehensively recorded in major sports databases or university archives, reflecting the era's limited digitization of smaller programs' data and his transitional role across institutions. His performance at Northern Colorado was sufficient to earn a 12th-round selection (333rd overall) by the Miami Dolphins in the 1978 NFL Draft.[1][11]NFL career
Draft and early professional years
Kenney was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 12th round (333rd overall pick) of the 1978 NFL Draft out of the University of Northern Colorado.[1] As the second-to-last pick, he effectively became the draft's "Mr. Irrelevant" after the final selection failed to report due to injury.[2] He was waived by the Dolphins at the conclusion of training camp that year.[2] Kenney then briefly signed with the Washington Redskins in 1978 but was released shortly thereafter.[5] Following his releases, Kenney joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978, initially spending time on the taxi squad (practice squad) without appearing in regular-season games during his first year and a half with the team.[5] He remained on the Chiefs' roster in 1979 as a backup quarterback behind starters like Steve Fuller and Mike Livingston, but recorded no statistics that season. Kenney earned his first regular-season action with the Chiefs late in the 1980 season, starting the final three games after injuries and performance issues sidelined the primary quarterbacks. In those contests, he completed 37 of 69 passes for 542 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, achieving a 2-1 record as the starter.[1] This performance marked his transition from reserve to the team's primary signal-caller heading into the next year. In 1981, Kenney solidified his role as the Chiefs' starting quarterback, appearing in 13 games and starting all of them. He passed for 1,983 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, leading Kansas City to an 8-5 finish despite a non-playoff season.[1] These early starts demonstrated his potential amid a Chiefs offense that struggled with consistency and defensive support.Peak performance and notable achievements
Kenney's peak performance came in the 1983 NFL season, during which he established himself as the Kansas City Chiefs' primary starting quarterback, appearing in all 16 games and starting 13. He threw for a franchise-record 4,348 passing yards, the first time a Chiefs quarterback surpassed 4,000 yards in a season, while completing 346 of 603 attempts (57.4%) for 24 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, earning his sole Pro Bowl selection.[1][7] This output marked Kenney as only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 passing yards in a single season, a milestone achieved amid a Chiefs offense that ranked among the league's more pass-oriented attacks of the era.[3] In 1986, Kenney contributed to the Chiefs' first playoff appearance since 1971, starting nine games and passing for 1,922 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, helping the team secure a 10-6 record before a wild-card loss to the New York Jets.[1][7] His 1983 single-season totals for pass attempts and completions remain among the top marks in Chiefs history, underscoring his role in elevating the team's aerial attack during a period of rebuilding under head coach John Mackovic.[7] Over his Chiefs tenure, Kenney's career passing figures—17,277 yards and 105 touchdowns—ranked third in franchise history at the time of his departure, reflecting sustained productivity rather than dominance league-wide.[1][7]Later years, injuries, and retirement
Kenney's performance with the Kansas City Chiefs declined after his 4,000-yard seasons in 1983 and 1984, as the team struggled with offensive line protection that left him frequently battered.[14] In 1986, he led the Chiefs to their first playoff appearance since 1971, but the team lost in the wild card round.[5] The 1987 season saw further instability, with the Chiefs employing five different starting quarterbacks amid Kenney's injuries and inconsistent play.[14] Injuries plagued Kenney's later career, including a displaced fracture of his right thumb sustained on August 27, 1984, during a preseason game against the New England Patriots, which sidelined him early in the season.[15] He returned later that year but faced ongoing physical tolls from poor blocking. In 1987, a wrist injury caused him to miss two games, and he played through visible pain in a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where coach Frank Gansz opted not to bench him despite his compromised condition.[16][17] Kenney remained with the Chiefs through the 1988 season before being released on July 20, 1989. He signed with the Washington Redskins in August 1989 as a third-string quarterback but saw no regular-season action, participating only in preseason and practices. Kenney retired from professional football following the 1989 season.[18][19][20]Career statistics
Bill Kenney appeared in 106 regular-season games for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1980 to 1988, starting 77 of them.[1] As a quarterback, he completed 1,330 of 2,430 pass attempts for 17,277 yards, 105 touchdowns, and 86 interceptions, yielding a 54.7% completion rate and 77.0 passer rating.[1] He also rushed 123 times for 191 yards and 5 touchdowns, while fumbling the ball 43 times.[1] In the postseason, Kenney played one game, completing 8 of 16 passes for 97 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.[1]| Passing Statistic | Regular Season Total |
|---|---|
| Completions | 1,330 |
| Attempts | 2,430 |
| Completion % | 54.7 |
| Yards | 17,277 |
| Touchdowns | 105 |
| Interceptions | 86 |
| Passer Rating | 77.0 |
| Rushing Statistic | Regular Season Total |
|---|---|
| Attempts | 123 |
| Yards | 191 |
| Yards per Carry | 1.6 |
| Touchdowns | 5 |