John Kuhn
Encyclopedia
John Allen Kuhn is an American football
fullback
, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers
of the National Football League
. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers
as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania. He played college football
at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
.
Kuhn earned a Super Bowl ring
as a member of the Steelers' practice squad in Super Bowl XL
. He later helped the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV
to earn his second Super Bowl ring.
given to the top player in NCAA Division II as a senior, Kuhn was selected to play in the 2005 Whataburger
Cactus Bowl
on January 7 as a Division II all-star for the North team. He was named PSAC Western Division Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and was a three-time First-Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
(PSAC) Western Division selection.
In 2004, the Raiders won their first PSAC Western Division Championship since 1988 and advanced to the NCAA Division II national football championship
second round with a 10-2 record, marking the team's first 10-win regular season since 1981.
Kuhn holds 27 school records and six PSAC records. He finished his career with 4,685 yards rushing, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. Kuhn led the team in rushing for the third-straight season as a senior and is the only player in team history to total over 1,000 yards rushing in three-straight seasons.
A standout in the classroom, Kuhn was a First-Team ESPN The Magazine
/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America in both 2003 and 2004 and was named First-Team Academic All-District II three-straight years. He was also chosen as a PSAC Fall Top Ten Award winner as both a junior and senior, the first Shippensburg
male student-athlete to have received the award twice.
Kuhn ranked 17th in Division in rushing yards per game and was 34th in all-purpose yards. He was chosen as a First-Team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American and Third-Team Associated Press (AP) Little All-American.
of the Arena Football League but chose not to report after being signed to the Steelers practice squad on November 30, 2005. Kuhn was on the practice squad roster for the entirety of the Steelers playoff run and their win in Super Bowl XL
.
Kuhn was re-signed for the following season on February 17, 2006, but was cut once again at the end of training camp. After spending the first eight weeks of the 2006 season on the Steelers' practice squad, Kuhn was signed to the Steelers active roster on October 31, 2006. He finished the 2006 season, appearing in nine games, with two carries for 18 yards, including a 16-yard romp on his first NFL carry versus the Cleveland Browns
. He added a two-yarder against the Carolina Panthers
. He also caught one pass for 15 yards, also against Carolina. On October 6, 2006 John was selected in the 8th round of the Arena Football League's Expansion Draft by the New Orleans VooDoo
. His rights had been owned by the San Jose SaberCats
although he never played for them or in the Arena League.
a day after being released by the Steelers. He joined Rob Davis as Shippensburg University graduates on the Packers roster. Davis has subsequentially retired and joined the Packers front office staff.
The Packers re-signed Kuhn, and was an exclusive rights free agent, on March 19, 2008. According to the terms of his contract, he made $445,000 in 2008. Also, before the 2008 season, Kuhn hired agent Kevin Gold who represented Rob Davis.
On October 12, 2008, Kuhn scored his first NFL touchdown
, versus the Seattle Seahawks
in Seattle, on a 1-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers
.
On December 26, 2010, Kuhn scored three touchdowns in a game against the New York Giants, scoring two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
Despite limited carries and playing time, Kuhn's aerial and ground abilities on third downs have made him a fan favorite in Green Bay. Whenever Kuhn carries the ball, or even appears on the field, Packers' fans call out his surname in a cheer that is sometimes mistaken for booing.
Kuhn started the 2011 season on the right foot, scoring a touchdown in the season opener.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg...
.
Kuhn earned a Super Bowl ring
Super Bowl ring
The Super Bowl ring is an award in the National Football League given to the winners of the league's annual championship game, the Super Bowl...
as a member of the Steelers' practice squad in Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
. He later helped the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
to earn his second Super Bowl ring.
College career
A Northeast Region finalist for the Harlon Hill TrophyHarlon Hill Trophy
The Harlon Hill Trophy is an award in American college football given to the individual selected as the most valuable player in NCAA Division II. The award is named for former University of North Alabama and National Football League player Harlon Hill...
given to the top player in NCAA Division II as a senior, Kuhn was selected to play in the 2005 Whataburger
Whataburger
Whataburger is a privately held, regional restaurant chain specializing in hamburgers. The company, founded by Harmon Dobson, opened its first restaurant in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1950...
Cactus Bowl
Cactus Bowl
The Cactus Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played each January in Kingsville, Texas which showcases the best NFL draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility in NCAA Division II...
on January 7 as a Division II all-star for the North team. He was named PSAC Western Division Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 and was a three-time First-Team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference that participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. The conference is composed of 16 full-time members within Pennsylvania and one associate member in New York...
(PSAC) Western Division selection.
In 2004, the Raiders won their first PSAC Western Division Championship since 1988 and advanced to the NCAA Division II national football championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
second round with a 10-2 record, marking the team's first 10-win regular season since 1981.
Kuhn holds 27 school records and six PSAC records. He finished his career with 4,685 yards rushing, 910 carries, 53 touchdowns, 5,300 all-purpose yards and 26 games with at least 100 yards rushing, all school records. Kuhn led the team in rushing for the third-straight season as a senior and is the only player in team history to total over 1,000 yards rushing in three-straight seasons.
A standout in the classroom, Kuhn was a First-Team ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine
ESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America in both 2003 and 2004 and was named First-Team Academic All-District II three-straight years. He was also chosen as a PSAC Fall Top Ten Award winner as both a junior and senior, the first Shippensburg
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, commonly known as Ship, or SU, is a public university located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 40 miles west-southwest of Harrisburg...
male student-athlete to have received the award twice.
Kuhn ranked 17th in Division in rushing yards per game and was 34th in all-purpose yards. He was chosen as a First-Team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American and Third-Team Associated Press (AP) Little All-American.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kuhn signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2005 draft but was released prior to the beginning of the 2005 season. He signed a contract to play for the San Jose SaberCatsSan Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
of the Arena Football League but chose not to report after being signed to the Steelers practice squad on November 30, 2005. Kuhn was on the practice squad roster for the entirety of the Steelers playoff run and their win in Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL
Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...
.
Kuhn was re-signed for the following season on February 17, 2006, but was cut once again at the end of training camp. After spending the first eight weeks of the 2006 season on the Steelers' practice squad, Kuhn was signed to the Steelers active roster on October 31, 2006. He finished the 2006 season, appearing in nine games, with two carries for 18 yards, including a 16-yard romp on his first NFL carry versus the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He added a two-yarder against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. He also caught one pass for 15 yards, also against Carolina. On October 6, 2006 John was selected in the 8th round of the Arena Football League's Expansion Draft by the New Orleans VooDoo
New Orleans VooDoo
The New Orleans VooDoo are an Arena Football League team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They play their home games in New Orleans Arena....
. His rights had been owned by the San Jose SaberCats
San Jose SaberCats
The San Jose SaberCats are a professional arena football team in the Arena Football League. They began play as a 1995 expansion team. They played in the Western Division of the American Conference. Their final coach in the original Arena Football League was Darren Arbet, who will be a part of the...
although he never played for them or in the Arena League.
Green Bay Packers
Kuhn was signed to the active roster of the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
a day after being released by the Steelers. He joined Rob Davis as Shippensburg University graduates on the Packers roster. Davis has subsequentially retired and joined the Packers front office staff.
The Packers re-signed Kuhn, and was an exclusive rights free agent, on March 19, 2008. According to the terms of his contract, he made $445,000 in 2008. Also, before the 2008 season, Kuhn hired agent Kevin Gold who represented Rob Davis.
On October 12, 2008, Kuhn scored his first NFL touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
, versus the Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
in Seattle, on a 1-yard reception from Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
.
On December 26, 2010, Kuhn scored three touchdowns in a game against the New York Giants, scoring two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
Despite limited carries and playing time, Kuhn's aerial and ground abilities on third downs have made him a fan favorite in Green Bay. Whenever Kuhn carries the ball, or even appears on the field, Packers' fans call out his surname in a cheer that is sometimes mistaken for booing.
Kuhn started the 2011 season on the right foot, scoring a touchdown in the season opener.
External links
- http://www.packers.com/team/roster/John-Kuhn/f8d63656-92e2-424e-a76b-b1b3a84ddb7a