Kimbrough, John
Football
b. 1918, Haskell, TX
d. May 8, 2006
"Jarrin' Jawn," a.k.a. the "Haskell Hurricane," was a 6-foot-2, 222-pound fullback with speed, an All-American at Texas A & M in 1939 and 1940. He starred in the school's 14-13 win over Tulane in the 1940 Sugar Bowl, gaining 152 yards on 26 runs and scoring both of his team's touchdowns against one of the nation's strongest defensive lines. Tulane had given up only 46 points in nine regular season games.
During the 1940 season, Kimbrough gained 658 yards on 158 carries, scored 7 touchdowns, caught 9 passes, and had 6 interceptions. In the Cotton Bowl, Fordham used a defense meant specifically to stop Kimbrough, but he gained 75 yards in 18 runs, scored the winning touchdown, and blocked an extra point try that would have tied the game.
After serving in the Army during World War II, Kimbrough played with the Los Angeles Dons of the All-American Football Conference from 1946 through 1948. As a professional, he carried the ball 329 times for 1,224 yards, a 3.7 average, and scored 17 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 35 passes, 6 for touchdowns.