John Keenoy
{{Short description|American football player (born 1997)}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = John Keenoy
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| currentteam =
| number =52
| position = Center
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|2|26|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 305
| undraftedyear = 2019
| high_school = East Kentwood {{avoid wrap|(Kentwood, Michigan)}}
| college = Western Michigan
| pastteams =
- Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Dallas Renegades (2020)
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
| highlights =
| status =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 0
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 0
}}
John Keenoy (born February 26, 1997) is an American former professional football player who was a center. He played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos.
Early life
Keenoy attended East Kentwood High School, where he was a three-star prospect.{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=Nick |title=Unassuming John Keenoy at the center of Western Michigan's success over last four years |url=https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/sports/2018/12/17/john-keenoy-western-michigan-football-potato-bowl/2243202002/ |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=Battle Creek Enquirer |date=December 17, 2018}} He did not have many college offers coming out of high school and was recruited to Western Michigan by P. J. Fleck.{{cite news |last1=Hartman |first1=Sid |title=Vikings free-agent rookie lineman John Keenoy credits P.J. Fleck, staff for his development |url=https://www.startribune.com/vikings-free-agent-rookie-lineman-john-keenoy-credits-p-j-fleck-staff-for-his-development/510042102/ |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=Star Tribune |date=May 17, 2019}}
College career
Keenoy was an early enrollee at Western Michigan as a freshman and allowed 25 pressures and four sacks in 2015. Keenoy was named to the Second-team All-MAC as a sophomore in 2016 after helping Western Michigan's rushing game to finish in the top 25. Keenoy anchored an offensive line on a team that finished with a 13–1 record and a No. 15 national ranking and played in the Cotton Bowl. He missed one start in 2017 against Wagner. He was a First-team All-MAC selection in 2017 and helped the Broncos to finished in the top 25 in rushing again. Keenoy had his second consecutive season of not allowing a sack. As a senior in 2018, Keenoy helped the Broncos finish 33rd in rushing (204.6 yards per game) and 27th in sacks allowed (17). Keenoy was named to the Second-team All-Conference. He was also a three-time academic All-MAC selection.{{cite news |last1=Nothaft |first1=Patrick |title=WMU football's John Keenoy signs undrafted free agent deal with Vikings |url=https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2019/04/wmu-footballs-john-keenoy-signs-undrafted-free-agent-deal-with-vikings.html |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=MLive.com |date=April 28, 2019}} Keenoy was a four-year starter at Western Michigan, starting 51 of 52 games. He graduated with a degree in finance and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the "Academic Heisman."
Professional career
After not being selected in the 2019 NFL draft, Keenoy was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings. He was waived after training camp on August 31 and became a volunteer assistant at Western Michigan.{{cite web |last1=Saunders |first1=Alan |title=Steelers Add Former XFL, Western Michigan OL John Keenoy |url=https://steelersnow.com/steelers-add-former-xfl-western-michigan-ol-john-keenoy/ |website=Steelers Now |access-date=May 24, 2020 |date=April 16, 2020}} Keenoy subsequently joined the Vikings practice squad.{{cite news |last1=Nothaft |first1=Patrick |title=Former XFLer John Keenoy to 'keep living the dream' after signing with Steelers |url=https://www.mlive.com/broncos/2020/04/former-xfler-john-keenoy-to-keep-living-the-dream-after-signing-with-steelers.html |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=MLive.com |date=April 16, 2016}}
Keenoy was selected in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades.{{cite news |last1=Bender |first1=Bill |title=XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-draft-tracker-results-picks-list-rosters-football-league/jahz8p84e4i61hb8lajqs4a22 |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=Sporting News |date=October 21, 2019}} By the fourth game of the season, he was named the starting center. However, the season was cancelled after Week 5 due to the coronavirus pandemic. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}
On April 16, 2020, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{cite news |last=Varley |first=Teresa |title=Steelers sign four to add depth |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-sign-four-to-add-depth |website=Steelers.com |date=April 16, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020}} Keenoy joined offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor and linebacker Robert Spillane as former WMU players on the Steelers. He was waived on September 5, 2020.{{cite web|title=Steelers make moves to get to 53-man roster|url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-make-moves-to-get-to-53-man-roster|author=Varley, Teresa|website=Steelers.com|date=September 6, 2020}}
Personal life
His father, John Keenoy, played football at Central Michigan University, while his mother, Melissa Keenoy, played basketball at the school.{{cite news |last1=Kaminski |first1=Steve |title=East Kentwood offensive lineman John Keenoy announces college plans |url=https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/article/east-kentwood-offensive-lineman-john-keenoy-announces-college-plans/ |access-date=May 24, 2020 |work=MLive.com |date=April 21, 2014}} Keenoy is a fan of country music and plays golf. He describes himself as a major foodie.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://wmubroncos.com/sports/football/roster/john-keenoy/7268 Western Michigan Broncos bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Keenoy, John}}
Category:American football centers
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Dallas Renegades players
Category:Western Michigan Broncos football players
Category:Players of American football from Grand Rapids, Michigan