Clarendon’s Own Comes Home
Kenny King Presents NFL Gold
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Launch the media gallery 1 player - media #5Clarendon legend and 1975 CHS graduate, Kenny King, paid his hometown a visit last week accompanied by a glimmering gold football from the National Football League. King, who is a big hero in this small town, came home to honor his alma mater, Clarendon High School and present it with the football for the NFL “Super Bowl High School Honor Roll”. In conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the Super Bowl, the NFL made the decision to award the high schools of those professional players and coaches who participated in a previous Super Bowl with a Gold Football. Players and coaches were contacted to present this once-in-a-lifetime award and King jumped at the opportunity.
King was a standout while at CHS and Gary Jack, current athletic director and head football coach, can testify to King’s amazing feats on the field. “I was here to see him do everything he did at CHS,” Jack said. “Its one thing to hear of Kenny King, but to actually play with him is another. It is very special to me.” King graduated in 1975 and Jack graduated one year later. Jack noted that King played on the 1972 State Finalist Team, which he was also a part of. “It was a rare event,” Jack said. “Not everyone has that opportunity and it was just a special thing for me. Now, for him to come back to Clarendon, is huge. I am so excited for our school and our community.”
Along with King, three others were recognized for their part in King’s career. Coaches Noonkester, Lemons, and Walker were also in attendance with King and Jack for the award. Legends at CHS in their own right, these three men were very instrumental in the success of King and others during their tenure at the school. “These coaches are well-deserved, also,” Jack said.
King went on to sign with Barry Switzer and the Oklahoma Sooners after graduation in 1975 where he was on the National Championship team in that same year. Coming to Clarendon the night before signing day, Switzer was competing with the Texas Longhorns and Texas A&M for King’s intent. The day of the signing, King knew he would be going to Norman.
In 1979 King was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the third round. While he was there he played with former Heisman winner Earl Campbell. In 1980, King went to the Oakland Raiders where he would be teammates with another Heisman winner, Jim Plunkett and play on the Super Bowl XV and XVI championship teams before finishing his career. King set a Super Bowl record with his 80-yard reception and run in Super Bowl XV. He also played with Heisman winners Billy Sims and Marcus Allen.
To say that Kenny King is larger than life in the city of Clarendon is basically an understatement. He is very well respected by young and old alike and it is a big deal when he comes to town. Yes, we are all proud to call King a Clarendon resident, but prouder still to call him a Bronco.
Clarendon Bronco, Oklahoma Sooner, Houston Oiler, and Oakland Raider. He is Kenny King and his legacy will linger for some time to come.