Hall of Fame
Mike Kennedy lettered four years in football (1977-79, 81), earning first-team All-MAC honors as a strong safety in 1979 and 1981. By the fourth game of his freshman year, the Toledo St. Francis High School graduate had cracked starting lineup, and proceeded to become one of the best defensive backs in UT history. His coach, Chuck Stobart, called Kennedy the best defensive player in the Mid-American Conference and one of the best players he has ever coached. In addition to his All-MAC honors, Kennedy was third in the voting for the 1979 MAC defensive player of the year, and in 1981 was a second-team All-American selection by Newspaper Enterprise. In a game that appeared on ABC in 1979, Kennedy won 1,000 for UT' general scholarship fund as the NCAA/Chevrolet player of the game. He led a Rocket defense that forged a 7-7 tie against MAC champion Central Michigan. He finished his career with 314 tackles and 3 tackles for loss totaling 149 yards. Kennedy was awarded the Nicholson Trophy as the team's most valuable player in 1979 and 1981. After his career at UT, Kennedy was drafted by Buffalo and played four years with the Bills, Atlanta and Houston.
