Kenneth Davis (American football)

Kenneth Earl Davis (born April 16, 1962 in Temple, Texas) is a former professional American football running back who played for the NFL's Green Bay Packers from 1986-1988 and the Buffalo Bills from 1989-1994.

College career
Before his NFL career, Davis played for Texas Christian University from 1982-1985. As a junior, he rushed for 1,611 yards(#3 in the NCAA) and 16 touchdowns, earning him a first team selection on the College Football All-America Team. He also had the 5th most votes of all candidates for the Heisman Trophy that year. His 1,611 rushing yards were a school record, and would remain so until LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 1,850 yards in 1999.

He missed all but the first game of his senior season when he was suspended (along with six teammates) after confessing he received cash payments from boosters, but he finished his college career with an impressive 2,904 yards and 24 touchdowns. He left TCU as the school's second all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

NFL career
Davis was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 1986 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he was the team's leading rusher with 519 yards, returned 12 kickoffs for 231 yards, and caught 21 passes for 142 yards. In 1987, he was their leading rusher again, although he only rushed for 413 yards. Davis played only 9 games with the Packers in 1988 due to injuries, and signed with the Bills after the season ended.

With the Bills, Davis proved to be a superb complement to star running back Thurman Thomas, and a great asset to the team overall. In 1990, he rushed for 302 yards on just 64 carries (a 4.7 yards per carry average), caught 9 passes for 78 yards, and scored 5 touchdowns, assisting his team to Super Bowl XXV, where they lost to the New York Giants. In the game, Davis rushed for 4 yards and caught 2 passes for 23 yards. The following season, he rushed for 624 yards, caught 20 passes for 118 yards, returned 4 kickoffs for 73 yards, and assisted Buffalo to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. They lost Super Bowl XXVI to the Washington Redskins 37-24, but Davis had a good performance, leading the team with 17 rushing yards and catching 4 passes for 38 yards.

In 1992, Davis had the best season of his career. He rushed for 613 yards, caught 15 passes for 80 yards, returned 14 kickoffs for 251 yards, and scored a career high 6 touchdowns. But he is best remembered for his superb performance in the post season. In Buffalo's wildcard game against the Houston Oilers, Thomas was knocked out of the game early with a hip injury, and Houston built up a 28-3 first half lead. Then, they increased it to 35-3 early in the third quarter when backup quarterback Frank Reich's pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. But in what became known as The Comeback, Buffalo stormed back and won the game 41-38 in overtime. Davis was instrumental in the Bills victory, rushing for 68 yards, catching 2 passes for 25 yards, and scoring the first touchdown of the game for Buffalo. One week later, the Bills traveled on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Divisional Playoffs, with Thomas still unable to play because of his injury. Davis did a superb job filling in for him as a starter, rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries in the Bills 24-3 win. Then the Bills advanced to their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl by defeating the Miami Dolphins 29-10 in the AFC title game. Thomas had recovered enough to regain his spot on the starting lineup, but Davis was still a major factor in Buffalo's victory. He rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown while also catching 4 passes for 52 yards. The Bills ended up losing Super Bowl XXVII 52-17, but Davis had a great game. He was the Bills leading rusher with 86 yards, while also catching 3 passes for 16 yards and returning a kickoff for 21 yards.

Davis continued to be a major contributor for Buffalo as the team advanced to their 4th consecutive Super Bowl in the 1993 season. He rushed for 391 yards, caught 21 passes for 95 yards, and gained 100 yards on kickoff returns. After his team lost Super Bowl XXVIII to the Dallas Cowboys 30-13, he spent one more season with Buffalo and then retired in 1995.

Davis finished his 9 NFL seasons with 823 carries for 3,513 rushing yards(4.3 yards per carry), 135 receptions for 878 yards, 42 kickoff returns for 707 yards, and 32 touchdowns(27 rushing and 5 receiving). He now is the Athletic Director and former head football coach at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas.