Jim Kearney, who played defensive back for twelve seasons in the AFL and NFL, passed away on August 6. He was 81. Kearney played for the Detroit Lions in 1965 and 1966, the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 to 1975, and the New Orleans Saints in 1976. He was a starter on the Chiefs team that beat the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
In 1972, Kearney led the NFL with 192 interception return yards. He also returned four interceptions for touchdowns that season, tying an NFL record held by Ken Houston. (DaRon Bland broke the record with five in 2023.)
Today’s card of the day is Kearney’s 1973 Topps football card. This is his rookie card, issued in his seventh season in pro football. He appeared on a couple more Topps cards, as well.
