Joe Kendall

Who was Joe Kendall?

Joseph Nathaniel Kendall was an American football player. Nicknamed "Tarzan" for his athletic prowess, Kendall dominated black college football in the 1930s while leading Kentucky State to a black college football national championship in 1934. He led the Thorobreds to a Orange Blossom Classic victory over Florida A&M in 1935 en route to a 29–7–3 overall record during his playing years. Kendall was a three-time First Team All-America selection from 1934 to 1936 by the Pittsburgh Courier. Following his player career, he served as a coach, teacher, and school principal. As a result of his significant contributions as a recreational director in Owensboro, Kentucky, a park was named in his honor. Kendall was inducted into the Kentucky State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007; he is the first inductee from Kentucky State.