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Kenny Lawler

Kenneth James Lawler, Jr. (born June 25, 1994) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 243rd overall, of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football at California.

Kenny Lawler
No. 89     Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Lawler with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2024
Born: (1994-06-25) June 25, 1994 (age 30)
Pomona, California, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)Wide receiver
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight197 lb (89 kg)
CollegeCalifornia
High schoolUpland (CA)
NFL draft2016, round: 7, pick: 243
Drafted bySeattle Seahawks
Career history
As player
2016–2017Seattle Seahawks*
2018BC Lions*
2018–2021Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2022Edmonton Elks
2023–presentWinnipeg Blue Bombers*
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star2021
CFL West All-Star2021, 2022
Career stats
Receptions165
Receiving yards2,545
Receiving average15.4
Receiving touchdowns15

Early life

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Lawler attended Upland High School in Upland, California.[1] He had 53 receptions for 1,267 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior and 42 receptions for 887 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. Lawler was rated by Rivals.com as four-star recruit and committed to the University of California, Berkeley to play college football.[2]

College career

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Lawler redshirted his first year at California in 2012 after he was ineligible the first six weeks while NCAA looked into some independent-study classes he had taken. He considered transferring in the offseason due to the firing of head coach Jeff Tedford, but chose to stay at California after meeting with the newly hired head coach Sonny Dykes.[3]

In 2013, he played in 11 games with five starts and had 37 receptions for 347 yards and five touchdowns. As a sophomore, he again played in 11 games with five starts and led the team with 54 receptions for 701 yards and nine touchdowns.[4] As a junior, Lawler had 52 receptions for 658 yards and 13 touchdowns over 13 games. After his junior season, Lawler entered the 2016 NFL draft.[5][6]

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Prior to the 2016 NFL draft, Lawler had been projected by NFL scouts and analysts to be a middle-round pick.[3][7] Lawler slid in part due to his leaner frame and his slower 40-yard dash time.[3]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 2+1⁄2 in
(1.89 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		33+3⁄8 in
(0.85 m) 		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		 4.64 s 1.65 s 2.71 s 4.18 s 7.03 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)
Source:[7][8]

Seattle Seahawks

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On April 30, 2016, the Seattle Seahawks selected Lawler with a seventh round pick, 243rd overall in the 2016 NFL draft.[9][10] On May 6, 2016, the Seahawks announced that they had signed Lawler to his rookie contract.[11] On September 3, 2016, he was released by the Seahawks as part of final roster cuts and was signed to the practice squad.[12][13] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Seahawks on January 16, 2017.[14] On September 2, 2017, Lawler was waived by the Seahawks and was later signed to their practice squad.[15][16] He was released by the team on September 13, 2017.[17]

BC Lions

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The BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) announced on May 9, 2018, they had signed Lawler to a contract, along with four other wide receivers.[18]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (first stint)

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL signed Lawler to their practice roster on October 22, 2018. Lawler became a regular contributor for the Blue Bombers during the 2019 season, with his breakout game coming in a loss against Hamilton, where he caught 10 passes for 144 yards.[19] As the leading receiver on the team in yards, Lawler helped the Bombers to their first Grey Cup win in 29 years, when they won the 107th Grey Cup at the end of the 2019 season.[20][21]

After the CFL canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawler chose to opt-out of his contract with the Blue Bombers on August 27, 2020.[22] He signed a one-year contract extension with Winnipeg on February 3, 2021.[23] Midway through the 2021 season, on October 4, 2021, it was revealed that Lawler had been arrested for impaired driving and was suspended for the team's Week 10 match.[24] Despite the struggles in his personal life, Lawler went on to lead the CFL in receiving with 1,014 yards and six touchdowns. As a result, Lawler was named both a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star for the first time. The Bombers finished the year with the best regular season record. Winnipeg defeated Saskatchewan to go to 108th Grey Cup, their second consecutive championship game. They won in overtime to win their second Grey Cup in a row. Lawler added 90 yards receiving in the postseason to help the Blue Bombers to their second title.[25]

Edmonton Elks

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Lawler signed with the Edmonton Elks of the CFL to a one-year contract to open free agency on February 8, 2022, and became the highest paid receiver in the CFL.[26] In late August 2022 Lawler suffered an ankle injury.[27] At the time of the injury he was tied for second place in both receptions (56) and receiving yards (849). He returned to action on October 1 against the Montreal Alouettes. However, a couple days later it was reported that Lawler had suffered a shoulder/collarbone injury and underwent season ending surgery.[28] He finished the season with 58 receptions for 894 yards and five touchdowns. He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 14, 2023.[29]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (second stint)

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On the first day of free agency, on February 14, 2023, it was announced that Lawler had signed a two-year contract with the Blue Bombers.[30] Lawler was transferred to the team's suspended list in advance of the 2023 season as he was facing passport challenges related to his impaired driving charge in October 2021.[31] Lawler returned to the Bombers starting lineup in Week 7, having missed the first six games of the season.[32]

CFL career statistics

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Legend
* Led the league
≈ Won the Grey Cup
± Grey Cup MVP
Bold Career high
Receiving   Regular season   Playoffs
Year Team Games Rec Yards Avg Long TD Games Rec Yards Avg Long TD
2019 WPG 16 43 637 14.8 54 4 3 8 126 15.6 30 1
2020 WPG Season cancelled Season cancelled
2021 WPG 13 64 1,014 15.8 47 6 2 6 90 15.0 26 0
2022 EDM 12 58 894 15.4 54 5 Team did not qualify
2023 WPG 12 50 901 18.0 64 6 In progress
CFL totals 53 215 3,446 16.0 64 21 5 14 216 15.4 30 1

Personal life

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Lawler Jr. recently had a son, Kenneth James Lawler II. Lawler's siblings; Perri, Sydney and Kenzel. Younger brother was a Junior at Roosevelt High School, QB on Varsity. Lawler's mother, Patricia Hicks works in the medical field. His father is Kenneth Lawler Sr. and he played college football as a cornerback at Oregon, he would later become a coach at Mt. Sac Junior College, then at Boise State and currently at San Bernardino Valley College. With his wife, Mary, they have six children combined.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Kenny Lawler, Upland , Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Kenny Lawler, 2012 Wide Receiver, California". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Condotta, Bob (June 8, 2016). "Kenny Lawler not taking easy plays, or status with Seahawks, for granted". Seattle Times. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
  4. ^ Letourneau, Connor (September 10, 2015). "Cal's Kenny Lawler matures into prized target". sfgate.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  5. ^ Faraudo, Jeff (January 5, 2016). "Cal receiver Kenny Lawler entering NFL draft". sfgate.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  6. ^ Letourneau, Connor (January 5, 2016). "Cal's Kenny Lawler to declare for NFL draft". sfgate.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Kenny Lawler Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "2016 Draft Scout Kenny Lawler, California NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  9. ^ "2016 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  10. ^ Kelly, Danny (April 30, 2016). "NFL Draft Results: Seahawks select Kenny Lawler with 7th round pick, 243 overall". FieldGulls.com. SBNation. Retrieved May 6, 2016.
  11. ^ Henderson, Brady (May 6, 2016). "Seahawks sign 9 of 10 draft picks; 13 UDFA signings announced". MyNorthwest.com. ESPN. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  12. ^ "Seattle Seahawks Set 53-Man Roster, Trade For Defensive Backs L.J. McCray And Dewey McDonald". Seahawks.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
  13. ^ "Seahawks Make Roster Moves And Sign Eight Players To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com. September 5, 2016. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018.
  14. ^ "Seahawks Sign 10 Players To 2017 Future Contracts". Seahawks.com. January 16, 2017. Archived from the original on August 14, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  15. ^ Drovetto, Tony (September 2, 2017). "Seahawks Make Three More Trades, Set 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2017.
  16. ^ Lewis, Derek (September 9, 2017). "Seahawks switch Cyril Grayson with Kenny Lawler on PS". 247sports.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  17. ^ Drovetto, Tony (September 13, 2017). "Seahawks Make Practice Squad Roster Moves". Seahawks.com. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  18. ^ Chidley, David (May 9, 2018). "Kevin Elliott among five receivers signed by Lions". CFL.ca. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  19. ^ Friesen, Paul (October 2, 2019). "Lawler coming off near-perfect game". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  20. ^ McKay, Paul (November 26, 2019). "Reflection of champions: Blue Bombers' players savouring the Grey Cup". CTV Winnipeg. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  21. ^ "For the Grey: Bombers End Cup Drought with Win Over Ticats". CFL. November 26, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  22. ^ Moore, Kelly (August 27, 2020). "Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce opt outs for Kenny Lawler and Thiadric Hansen". GlobalNews.ca. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  23. ^ "Blue Bombers agree to terms with receiver Kenny Lawler". BlueBombers.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  24. ^ "Bombers' Lawler arrested for impaired driving, suspended for Friday's game". TSN. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Faraudo, Jeff (December 14, 2021). "Cal Football: Kenny Lawler, Blue Bombers Capture Second Straight Grey Cup". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "Elks ink CFL's receiving champion Kenny Lawler". Edmonton Elks. February 8, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  27. ^ TSN ca Staff (August 31, 2022). "Elks WR Lawler to miss at least two weeks with ankle injury – TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
  28. ^ TSN ca Staff (October 3, 2022). "Report: Elks WR Lawler undergoes successful surgery – TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  29. ^ "Transactions – Football player trades and signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  30. ^ "Lawler lands in Winnipeg, signs two-year deal". Canadian Football League. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  31. ^ "Winnipeg Blue Bombers transfer Kenny Lawler to suspended list". TSN. June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  32. ^ "Kenny Lawler to make season debut with Winnipeg Blue Bombers following immigration issue". 3DownNation. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
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