Only a select few can say that they played football at the high school, college , and professional levels in the same state, and Eddie Kennison is one of the lucky few.

The former LSU receiver played his high school football in his home state of Louisiana prior, and later went on to play professionally for the New Orleans Saints.

A native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Kennison attended Washington-Marion High School, where he was a Parade All-American, before heading to LSU, where he put up some solid numbers over a three-year period, from 1993-1995.

 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
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As a freshman in 1993, Kennison caught 28 passes, second on the team to Brett Bech's 30 receptions, for a team-leading 466 yards, along with three touchdowns, helping the Tigers to a 5-6 record, under the direction of Curley Hallman.

Also in his rookie campaign, Kennison led the Tigers with18 kickoff returns for 410 yards, and 20 punt returns for 256 yards.

 

Photo Courtesy: Robert Seale/Allsport
Photo Courtesy: Robert Seale/Allsport
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In 1994, as a sophomore, Kennison had 25 catches for 349 yards and five touchdowns, while LSU struggled to a 4-7 finish.

Special teams-wise in 1994, Kennison returned 16 kicks for 397 yards, and 36 punts for 438 yards, including a touchdown.

1995 turned out to be the last for Kennison at the collegiate level, and he made the most of it, putting together his best season, with 45 catches for 739 yards and nine touchdowns, all highs for an LSU team that went 7-4-1 under first-year head coach Gerry DiNardo, including a victory over Michigan St. in the Independence Bowl.

Kennison was a big part of that Independence Bowl win, returning a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown:

 

 

Kennison also returned 17 kickoffs for 371 yards, and another 19 punts for 253 yards in 1995.

During his three years with LSU, Kennison compiled 98 receptions for 1,554 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 947 punt return yards, including a touchdown, on 75 attempts, and 1,178 kickoff return yards on 51 returns

He finished his career with 3,819 all-purpose yards.

While at LSU, Kennison was also a six-time All-American sprinter, leading the Tigers track and field team to the 1994 NCAA Outdoor Championship in the 4x100-meter relay.

In 1996, the St. Louis Rams made Kennison the 18th-overall selection of the NFL Draft, and he quickly made his presence felt, totaling 54 receptions for 924 yards and nine touchdowns, productive enough numbers to be named a Pro Bowl alternate.

 

Photo Courtesy: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
Photo Courtesy: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport
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The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Kennison went on to play two more seasons for the Rams, compiling 96 catches for 1,652 yards and ten touchdowns from 1996-1998.

On February 18, 1999, the Rams traded Kennison to the New Orleans Saints, in exchange for a second round draft choice.

In New Orleans, Kennison led the team in receptions (61) and receiving yards (835), but the Saints used four quarterbacks, and struggled to a 3-13 finish.

 

Photo Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel//Allsport
Photo Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel//Allsport
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In 2000, the Saints traded Kennison to the Chicago Bears for a fifth round draft choice, before he went on to finish with 55 catches for 549 yards in his one season there.

In 2001 Kennison signed a free agent contract with the Denver Broncos, but was let go after only eight games, after he requested his release.

Kennison resurfaced only a month later, signing a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he spent next seven years of his career, catching 321 passes for 5,230 yards and 25 touchdowns.

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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In 2008, Kennison's NFL career ended where it began, in St. Louis, with the Rams, where he played he played his final thee games.

Over his productive 13-year NFL career, Kennison caught 548 passes for 8,345 yards and 42 touchdowns, while accumulating another 2,032 return yards.

Kennison eclipsed 50 receptions in a single season eight times, and put together two seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards.

 

 

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