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| John "Jarrin' John" Kimbrough | |
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Position: Fullback |
| Member Biography | |
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The passing game was dominating Southwest football during
the late 1930s, yet a fullback named John Kimbrough was
proving at least one team was still getting the most out of the
ground game. The hulking Texas A&M star ran through
opposing defenses with a force that usually created its own
holes in the line. This pile-driving back rushed his way to All-
America honors in 1939 and 1940 and led the Aggies to 20
victories in 21 games during those two years. In 1939, it was a
perfect 11-game record, a 14-13 victory over Tulane in the
Sugar Bowl and the national championship. The following
year, the Aggies went 9-1-0, beating Fordham in the Cotton
Bowl, 13-12. There was no more familiar sight than that of the
6-2, 210-pound Kimbrough crashing across the goal line, his
high knee action breaking tackle after tackle. Kimbrough's
coach, Homer Norton, compared him to the legendary Red
Grange, Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski. There were few
who disagreed. His nickname was Jarrin' John. In the Sugar
Bowl victory over Tulane 14-13, he rushed for 152 yards in
26 carries and scored two touchdowns. Kimbrough served as
a pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II, retiring with the
rank of captain. He played three years professionally with the
Los Angeles Dons 1946-1948. Kimbrough became a rancher
at Haskell, Texas, and served one term in the Texas
Legislature
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