Derek Kennard

Derek Craig Kennard (born September 9, 1962 in Stockton, California) is a former American football guard and center who played 11 seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, and the Dallas Cowboys. Previously he played two seasons in the United States Football League for the Los Angeles Express.

Saint Louis Cardinals
After the USFL folded in August 1986, Kennard joined the Saint Louis Cardinals who drafted him in the second round (45th overall) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players.

He started 40 consecutive games for the Cardinals and played in 67 overall.

New Orleans Saints
In 1991 he was traded to the New Orleans Saints for holdout cornerback Robert Massey. He played with the Saints 3 seasons at guard and center.

Dallas Cowboys
In 1994 he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent, primarily to be the starting right guard, replacing Kevin Gogan who signed with the Los Angeles Raiders.

In 1995, with the move of Larry Allen to right guard, he became a backup offensive lineman and got to start 4 games at center, on a team that won Super Bowl XXX.

At the end of the 1996 season injuries forced him to retire after playing 11 seasons in the NFL.

Personal life
His son, Devon Kennard, currently plays for USC after having attended Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Arizona.