Tom Kearns (American football)

Thomas Norman Kearns (November 26, 1919 – February 17, 2007) was an American politician and professional American football player. He played two seasons in the National Football League after playing college football at the University of Miami. Kearns later served one term as a member of the Florida House of Representatives as a Democrat representing Broward County.

Tom Kearns
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the Broward County district
In office
1965–1966
Personal details
Born(1919-11-26)November 26, 1919
DiedFebruary 17, 2007(2007-02-17) (aged 87)
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Miami
ProfessionBusinessman, professional athlete
Football career
Personal information
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:247 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:Somerville (MA)
College:Miami
Position:Tackle
NFL Draft:1942 / Round: 8 / Pick: 68
Career history
Player stats at PFR

Early life

Kearns was born on November 26, 1919, in Medford, Massachusetts, and grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts, where he attended Somerville High School.[1]

Collegiate career

Kearns played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was named to the All-Florida team as a tackle in 1940 and first team Little All-American by the Associated Press in 1941 as a senior while serving as the team's captain, making him the first Hurricanes player to be named a first team All-American.[2][3] Kearns was also a member of Miami's boxing team and competed in the 1940 NCAA Boxing Championship and was a starter on the men's basketball team.[4][5] Kearns was inducted into Miami's athletic hall of fame in 1970 and was a member of the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor bestowed by the university.[6]

Professional football

Kearns was selected in the eighth round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He joined the team in 1945 after serving in the US Navy during World War II, replacing Len Younce who had recently been inducted into the military.[7] He was originally signed by the Miami Seahawks of the All-America Football Conference for the 1946 season, but only participated in the team's training camp.[8] Kearns was signed by the Chicago Cardinals and spent the 1946 season with the team.[9]

Post-football and political career

After his football career ended, Kearns ran several businesses, including being the director of Barnett Bank. He also served as the chair of several community organizations, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Broward County.[6] He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and served one term from 1965 to 1966.[10] He was appointed to the Board of the Port Everglades Authority in 1981 by Governor Bob Graham.[2]

Kearns also served on the University of Miami board of trustees. The University of Miami's Athletic Hall of Fame building is named in his honor.

Death

Kearns died on February 17, 2007, at age 87.[2]

References
  1. "Frosh Gridders Show Up Well Under Coaches Green, Brady". The Miami Hurricane. September 30, 1937. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  2. "Obituaries:Thomas Kearns". Sun-Sentinel. Feb 19, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  3. "Hurricanes Point for Opening Game". The Miami Hurricane. September 25, 1941. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  4. Wallenfeldt, E. C. (1994). The Six-minute Fraternity: The Rise and Fall of NCAA Tournament Boxing, 1932-60. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 67. ISBN 9780275948672. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  5. "Basketball". BIS, 1941. University of Miami Archives. p. 80. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  6. "Tom Kearns". UMSportsHallOfFame.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  7. "FILIPOWICZ SIGNED BY FOOTBALL GIANTS". The New York Times. September 7, 1945. p. 27. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  8. "Miami Seahawks Sign Kearns". The New York Times. June 29, 1946. p. 16. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  9. "Tom Kearns Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  10. "The People of Lawmaking in Florida:1822-2019" (PDF). p. 101. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
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