SaberCats' Kenney Looks for Another Playoff Run
Published on July 24, 2002 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
San Jose SaberCats News Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. (July 24, 2002) â The SaberCats fell short in their quest for a perfect season, finishing the regular season with a 13-1 record. The mark did, however, establish an Arena League record for most wins in a season and the SaberCats will enter the 2002 postseason as the top seeded team with home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Contributing to the success of the SaberCats is 10-year AFL veteran Darrin Kenney, who will be at the head of the SaberCats march to the ArenaBowl. Securing a first-round bye San Jose begins its playoff run at noon on Saturday August 3rd at the Compaq Center against a team yet to be determined.
Since Kenney's rookie debut in 1993, he has gone on to make an appearance in at least the semi-final game of the AFL playoff picture every year of his career and twice winning an ArenaBowl title. Pretty impressive for a guy out of a Division III school, who otherwise might not have gotten a second look.
A little undersized for his position and coming from DIII Lycoming (PA) College, he was a step behind the football powerhouses, literally. "I'm slow," said Kenney.
These minor setbacks drove him to work a little harder to show people what he was made of.
Know by his teammates as DK, Kenney began his AFL career in 1993 with the Tampa Bay Storm where he went on to win his first ArenaBowl championship when the Storm defeated the Detroit Drive, 51-31, in ArenaBowl VII.
In 1994 he was traded to Albany and spent the next three seasons with the Firebirds. During his stay in Albany the team made it to the semi-finals three straight years. Much of DK's skills, both on and off the field, can be attributed to Firebirds Head Coach Mike Dailey.
"Coach Dailey taught me that football is what you do not who you are," said DK. "He also taught me technique and if it wasn't for him teaching me the technique I would never still be playing football today."
Although playing most of his games in Albany as a reserve lineman he made an impact when he was traded to the Arizona Rattlers in the 1997 season.
As his luck continued with Arizona, the Rattlers made a successful run to ArenaBowl XI, defeating the Kurt Warner-led Iowa Barnstormers 55-33. Following that championship year, Arizona continued its success for the next two years making it to the semi-finals but never reaching the Bowl again.
"Winning the ArenaBowl in 1997 had to have been the most memorable experience in my football career thus far," noted Kenney. "Everyone got along really well like we do here."
"That was just a great game. It was a big deal to me because in 1993 I really didn't play and so in 1997 that meant everything to me."
Following that three-year stint in Arizona Kenney joined the SaberCats organization.
His luck has again followed him to San Jose, as the SaberCats make a run for the ArenaBowl for the third straight year. "So far this season the team has really come together and everyone is willing to step up and make plays when they need to be made," said Kenney.
Success has not come naturally to these teams. "Good coaching and talented players are the reason behind the winning seasons," said Kenney. "And team camaraderie has played a big part in why these teams were so successful."
Going into the playoffs whether it's your first trip or your tenth trip, Kenney's advice is simple: "Take it like any other game. Don't over or under estimate any team, you know what's at stake but play loose and play confident and do the things you've done all year."
A champion both on and off the field, Kenney devotes his free time to participating in charity work around the community. He may be seen behind the bar at a local pub pouring drinks to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank or riding the rides and signing autographs at Great America for the Courageous Kids Day. Whatever it takes, he's always willing to help in anyway he can. Kenney is a real role model for young people interested in pursuing a professional sports career.
Don't miss out on the action. Group playoff tickets may be purchased through the SaberCats front office by calling (408) 573-5577. Tickets for San Jose's August 3, quarterfinal game are available and can be purchased at all Northern California TicketMaster outlets and the Compaq Center ticket office.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 24, 2002
- AFL Playoff Preview - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- This week in the AFL - OSC Original by Mark Sargent
- SaberCats' Kenney Looks for Another Playoff Run - San Jose SaberCats
- Wild Card Previews - AFL I
- Six NL Players Sold in Five Days - Portland Forest Dragons
- Desperados Plan Tribute to Emmitt - Dallas Desperados
- Walker, Moyer to Stay in Rush Blue - Chicago Rush
- Arena Football League Transactions - AFL I
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