High profile: Lincoln Kennedy

© St. Petersburg Times
published January 23, 2003

BIG MAN

The Raiders believe in having large linemen, and Kennedy, the right tackle, is one of the largest, standing 6 feet 6 and weighing something more than his listed 335 pounds.

HOMEBOY

Kennedy is enjoying a homecoming this week, having grown up in San Diego and earning USA Today All-American mention as a two-way lineman at Morse High. His last high school game was played at the Super Bowl site, Qualcomm Stadium.

COLLEGE DAZE

Kennedy was a first-team All-American as a senior at the University of Washington, and was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. He also was a part of the Huskies' undefeated national championship team.

THE DADDY

Offensive lines seem to do best when the players are close and work as a family. In this case, Kennedy is the father figure. "He's the daddy of the offensive line," guard Frank Middleton said. "Lincoln controls everyone pretty much. When I get too fired up, he comes and slaps me on the head to settle me down."

THE OLD SOFT SHOE

As part of a charity production, Kennedy once danced in the Nutcracker. Kennedy seems destined for an, um, large role -- he majored in speech and drama at the University of Washington.