Name Kendell Watkins Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Role American football player | High school: Provine (MS) Weight 138 kg College: Mississippi State Positions Tight end | |
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Date of birth: (1973-03-08) March 8, 1973 (age 42) NFL draft: 1995 / Round: 2 / Pick: 59 Education Mississippi State University | ||
Place of birth: Jackson, Mississippi | ||
Kendell Mario Watkins (born March 8, 1973 in Jackson, Mississippi) is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (59th overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mississippi State University.
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Early years
At Provine High School, he received all-district, all-metro and second-team all-state honors as a senior. He played tight end, linebacker and defensive end.
He accepted a scholarship from Mississippi State University. As a senior tight end, although he only had five receptions for 66 yards, he accounted for 44 knockdown blocks. He played in the Senior Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys (first stint)
Watkins was selected in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, to be the team's blocking tight end. Even as a rookie he was one of the biggest tight ends in the NFL, and contributed with his blocking en route to winning Super Bowl XXX.
He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 1996 preseason and was placed on the injured reserve list. In 1997 the team released him in a controversial move.
Denver Broncos
In 1998, he signed with the Denver Broncos after being out of football for a year. The team ended up trading him back to the Dallas Cowboys during the preseason, in exchange for a fifth round draft choice.
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
The Dallas Cowboys released Watkins before the 1998 season started, after claiming tight end Hayward Clay off waivers.