Kenny Konz

Sport: Football

Induction Year: 2000

University: LSU

Induction Year: 2000

By Marty Mulé
New Orleans Times-Picayune

Kenny Konz put the glass slipper on Cinderella. In LSU’s fairytale season of 1949, Konz was the prince.

An undersized back, even near the mid-point of the 20th century when two-way football was the norm, Konz was an integral part of one of the most amazing turnarounds in Southern annals.

The exclamation point of 1949 – the year LSU would forevermore refer as the “Cinderella season” – came in the regular-season finale against Tulane. The Tigers had been humiliated 46-0 in 1948 by the Green Wave, and now Tulane, the SEC champion, was considered even better and was a solid touchdown favorite.

LSU coach Gaynell Tinsley felt – no, knew – his team would have to play a near-perfect game to have any chance. He got exactly that: a near-perfect game, one ignited by Konz, then a 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior.

In the opening minutes, Konz returned a punt 92 yards. From that point on, LSU played to its maximum, with Konz intercepting three passes in a 21-0 Tiger upset. Tinsley was moved to say a half-century later it was “not only the greatest game LSU played while I was coach, but the greatest game any LSU team ever played when you consider their ability and what they did.”

Described as “The SEC’s All-Around Best”‘ by The Associated Press as a senior, Konz, who ran the 100 in 9.9, noteworthy for the time, put in time at safety, cornerback, quarterback, halfback, fullback, and end. He kicked off, kicked extra points, punted, and ran back punts.

Before matriculating to LSU, Konz had only played six-man football at Weimar (Texas) High School. A fan from Baton Rouge named Rubin Moss used to hunt deer near Weimar, and would attend local games. Moss was impressed with Konz’ speed and skills, and told the Tiger coaching staff about him.

“I had offers from just about every school in Texas,” Konz said. Six-man football is not 11-man football, but it does require quickness and skill, and I was a good athlete. They could see that.

“I wanted to go some place where I was really away from home — but not so far that I couldn’t get back quickly if my family needed me. LSU fit the bill.”

Former LSU broadcaster John Ferguson, along with sports information director Jim Corbett, was present at Don Lee’s Restaurant on Baton Rouge’s Third Street when then-coach Bernie Moore mulled over the pros and cons of giving a scholarship to a kid who had only played six-man football. “He finally decided to take a chance,” Ferguson said. “The rest is history.”

Tiger assistant Art Swanson called Konz, informed him that LSU had a spot for him, and to get on over. “I had to hitchhike to Baton Rouge,”‘ Konz said. “But it was certainly worth it.”

The only one of 31 freshmen to make the varsity, Konz made his presence felt immediately in practice by running back a punt against the Tiger first string. The angry coaches ran the return over again, and Konz again ran the kick back. Then a third time. LSU coaches were angry, and the first-string embarrassed, but the Tigers had found a weapon.

LSU’s turnaround in 1949 – from 3-8 to 8-3 – was stunning.

“Konz was pretty important to what we were able to do that season,” Tinsley said. ‘We had him all over the place, and he excelled. He left his mark.”

The next season, Konz was the MVP of the 1950 Blue-Grey Game and drafted No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns, though he had to put off pro ball for a couple of seasons while he served in the Air Force.

In a career in which he played on three NFL championship and four divisional title teams, Konz led or tied for the Browns lead in interceptions five of his seven professional seasons. He had almost a 40-yard punting average the one season he performed that duty, and led the NFL in punt returns with a 14.4 per attempt average in 1956, the year he was selected to the Pro Bowl.

After that season, Konz, who originally signed for $7,500 a year and eventually got to $25,000, went to see Coach Paul Brown about his contract, hoping for a raise. “You know, Coach Brown,” Konz said, “I led the NFL in punt returns.

“Paul Brown raised an eyebrow and said sternly to me,” Konz recalled, ÁWhat do you think I pay you for?'”

Konz sheepishly signed, and Brown obviously got his money’s worth.