John Kimbrough

Bio

The passing game was dominating Southwest football during the late 1930s, yet a fullback named John Kimbrough was proving at least one team was still getting the most out of the ground game. The Texas A&M star ran through opposing defenses with a force that usually created its own holes in the line. This back rushed his way to consensus All-America honors in 1939 and was a unanimous pick in 1940 and led the Aggies to 20 victories in 21 games during those two years. In 1939, it was a perfect 11-game record, a 14-13 victory over Tulane in the Sugar Bowl and the national championship. The following year, the Aggies went 9-1, beating Fordham in the Cotton Bowl, 13-12. There was no more familiar sight than that of the 6-2, 210-pound Kimbrough crashing across the goal line, his high knee action breaking tackle after tackle. Kimbrough's coach, Homer Norton, compared him to the legendary Red Grange, Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski. His nickname was Jarrin' John. In the Sugar Bowl victory over Tulane 14-13, he rushed for 152 yards in 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. Kimbrough served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II, retiring with the rank of captain. He played three years professionally with the Los Angeles Dons 1946-1948. Kimbrough became a rancher at Haskell, Texas, and served one term in the Texas Legislature.

Career Highlights

• 1940 All-Conference
• 1940 Heisman - Second
• 1940 Unanimous All-America
• 1939 All-Conference
• 1939 Conference MVP
• 1939 Consensus All-America