Honor Jimmy Kennedy Achievement

Senate Resolution No. 1760 BY: Senator MAYER CONGRATULATING Jimmy Kennedy upon the occasion of being inducted into the Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies Alumni Wall of Fame on June 6, 2019 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize individuals from the sporting world who have distinguished themselves through exceptional performance, attaining unprecedented success and the highest level of personal achievement; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body commends rare athletic achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Jimmy Kennedy upon the occasion of being inducted into the Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies Alumni Wall of Fame; the ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2019; and WHEREAS, Jimmy Kennedy attended Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, New York, where he was a three-year starter on both offense and defense; under Coach Tony DeMatteo, he earned All-American, All-City, All-Conference, All-State, and team MVP honors; he also won a local High School Heisman trophy sponsored by the Downtown Athletic Club; and WHEREAS, During Jimmy Kennedy's junior season, Roosevelt High School recorded an undefeated season, and went on to win the state championship; in his three years as a starter, the team was 30-3; after his senior season of 1998, he played in the Governor's Bowl, in which the best prep players of New York played the best high school players in New Jersey; and WHEREAS, After graduating, Jimmy Kennedy played football for Penn State University; the four-year starter was named the 2002 Big Ten Defensive Lineman-of-the-Year and was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection; a semi-finalist for the Lombardi Award, Kennedy finished his career with 213 tackles, 14 sacks, and 39 tackles-for-loss; and WHEREAS, In his freshman season, Jimmy Kennedy played in 12 games, starting six, and recorded 33 tackles and batted away four passes; in

2000, as a sophomore, he started all 11 games for Penn State and recorded 42 tackles and 6 sacks; as a junior, he made 51 tackles and logged 1.5 sacks and was voted All-Big Ten for the first time; and WHEREAS, As a senior in 2002, Jimmy Kennedy was named a First-team All-America by The Sporting News, and Walter Camp Football Foundation, "The NFL Draft Report," and third-team honors from the Associated Press; he also earned his Bachelor of Science degree in rehabilitation services; and WHEREAS, Jimmy Kennedy was the first round pick (12th overall) of the St. Louis Rams in the 2003 NFL Draft; he played 13 games during his rookie season; the following year, he played in the final nine games of the season, starting five of them; by 2005, he had earned a spot as the Rams' nose tackle, played in 15 games and started the first nine games of the season; and WHEREAS, After a short time with the Denver Broncos, Jimmy Kennedy was signed by the Chicago Bears on December 11, 2007, and played in the final three games of the season, making three tackles; and WHEREAS, On March 4, 2008, Jimmy Kennedy signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and played six games; nine months later, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings, and recorded three sacks during the 2009 season; on August 23, 2011, he was signed by the New York Giants; and WHEREAS, This outstanding athlete has clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in providing a lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of his school; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such outstanding accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to the congratulate Jimmy Kennedy upon the occasion of being inducted into the Roosevelt High School-Early College Studies Alumni Wall of Fame on