John Keenoy

John Keenoy (born February 26, 1997) is an American football center for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Western Michigan.

John Keenoy
No. 64 – Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Center
Personal information
Born: (1997-02-26) February 26, 1997
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:East Kentwood
(Kentwood, Michigan)
College:Western Michigan
Undrafted:2019
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2019
Games played:0
Games started:0

High school career

Keenoy attended East Kentwood High School, where he was a three-star prospect.[1] He did not have many college offers coming out of high school and was recruited to Western Michigan by P. J. Fleck.[2]

College career

Keenoy was an early enrollee at Western Michigan as a freshman and allowed 25 pressures and four sacks in 2015.[1] 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.[3] 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.[1] 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.[3] 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).[1] Keenoy was named to the Second Team All-Conference. He was also a three-time academic All-MAC selection.[3] 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."[1]

Professional career

After not being selected in the 2019 NFL Draft, Keenoy was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.[3] He was waived after training camp on August 31 and became a volunteer assistant at Western Michigan.[4] Keenoy subsequently joined the Vikings practice squad.[5]

Keenoy was selected in the ninth round of the 2020 XFL Draft by the Dallas Renegades.[6] 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.[5]

On April 16, 2020, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[7] Keenoy joined offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor and linebacker Robert Spillane as former WMU players on the Steelers.[5]

Personal life

His father, John Keenoy, played football at Central Michigan University, while his mother, Melissa Keenoy, played basketball at the school.[8] Keenoy is a fan of country music and plays golf. He describes himself as a major foodie.[1]

References
  1. Buckley, Nick (December 17, 2018). "Unassuming John Keenoy at the center of Western Michigan's success over last four years". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  2. Hartman, Sid (May 17, 2019). "Vikings free-agent rookie lineman John Keenoy credits P.J. Fleck, staff for his development". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  3. Nothaft, Patrick (April 28, 2019). "WMU football's John Keenoy signs undrafted free agent deal with Vikings". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  4. Saunders, Alan (April 16, 2020). "Steelers Add Former XFL, Western Michigan OL John Keenoy". Steelers Now. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  5. Nothaft, Patrick (April 16, 2016). "Former XFLer John Keenoy to 'keep living the dream' after signing with Steelers". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. Bender, Bill (October 21, 2019). "XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league". Sporting News. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. Varley, Teresa (April 16, 2020). "Steelers sign four to add depth". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  8. Kaminski, Steve (April 21, 2014). "East Kentwood offensive lineman John Keenoy announces college plans". MLive.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
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