Kenny Shedd (2008) - Hall of Fame

Kenny Shedd

Induction:
2008
Class:
1993

Former UNI assistant football coach Wes Anderson once referred to former All-American Kenny Shedd as, “the most talented athlete at UNI. He is blessed with speed, athletic ability and competitive nature. When the game is close, he’s the guy who should have the ball in his hands.”

During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s UNI football was atop the conference and national standings, much like it is today. But instead of players such as Eric Sanders, Johnny Gray and Corey Lewis, the Panthers had names like Kurt Warner, Bryce Paup and Kenny Shedd. Along with Warner and Paup, Shedd made his mark at UNI along with a career in the NFL.

Shedd, a native of Davenport, Iowa, began his stellar career on the gridiron at Davenport West High School, and soon found himself as a Panther in the confines of the UNI-Dome in the fall of 1989.

Shedd opened his career with the Panthers by starting all 11 games as a true freshman, catching five passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. But Shedd was just getting warmed up, and over the course of the next three years he would provide a crucial role to the Panthers’ success.

Shedd earned All-America honors in 1990, 1991 and 1992 as a receiver and kick/punt returner. Besides national accolades, Shedd earned first-team all-conference honors in ’90, ’91 and ’92. Shedd was also named UNI team MVP in ’91 and ’92. Over the course of the four years Shedd donned the Purple and Gold, UNI tallied a record of 39-11, including two conference titles, and one runner-up finish. The Panthers earned a spot in the playoffs in each of those years, advancing as far as the semifinals in 1992.

Not only was Shedd a standout on the gridiron, but also on the track scene. Shedd was a two-sport athlete for the Panthers throughout his four-year career, spending his spring season with the UNI track and field team. Shedd was a conference champion in the 400 meters. Along with a conference crown, Shedd still holds the fourth-fastest time in 200 meters and the Sprint Medley and Distance Medley Relays at UNI.

Shedd’s career in athletics didn’t end with the Panthers however. In the spring of 1993, Shedd was drafted in the fifth round as the 129th pick to the New York Jets. Shedd spent seven years playing professional football, spending time with the Jets, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Washington Redskins.