One of the best things about writing for this website is doing research and learning something new.
Old dusty, smelly books that are over 50 years old can be the most interesting things because they are written in what can be considered real time and not with decades of perspective.
The Sporting News books for baseball and football are the best sources for many of the stories that appear on this site.
In reading the Official History of the American Football League (1960-69), there is a list of all-time records. Statisiticians in professional sports keep track of everything and it’s fun to learn some of the most obscure items.
On page 78, Kenny Graham is listed as the career leader in fair catches with 38 from 1964-69. He also set the standards for a season with 24 in 1969 and a game with five that same year.
Graham wasn’t just some guy regulated to punt catching duty for the San Diego Chargers. The former Washington State University star was drafted by the Chargers and the Baltimore Colts in 1964.
The Sporting News lists Graham as a member of the AFL’s All-Time Defense Second Team as a safety for his six seasons with the Chargers.
A four-time AFL All-Star, Graham had 28 interceptions and scored five touchdowns in seven overall seasons. His final season was in 1970 when the AFL merged with the National Football League. Graham finshed his career that year playing with the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Contrary to his setting and all-time record for fair catches in a game against the Bengals in 1969, perhaps his most memorable moment was on Thanksgiving Day later that year on Nov. 27.
Graham intercepted a pass from Houston backup quarterback Don Trull and returned it 11 yards. The pick six happened with 7:05 remaining in the final period and it turned out to be the game-winning score for San Diego in a 21-17 victory over the Oilers in the Astrodome.
Although Graham would have three more interceptions with the Bengals in 1970, the Thanksgiving Day touchdown was the last time he would score.
The first TD of 1969 for Graham was against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 11. The Dolphins trailed 14-7 when Graham picked off a throw by Bob Griese and ran 65 yards for what would be final score for San Diego in a 21-14 win in Miami.
Apparently in the excitement of the moment, Graham was penalized 15-yards for throwing the ball in the stands after scoring. The Dolphins would score on their next drive, but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome the Chargers.
As far a punt returns are concerned, Graham never scored. In 1967, he averaged 15.3 yards per return.
In his first two seasons with the Chargers, San Diego played in the AFL title games against the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders. The Bills won 20-7 in 1964, while the Raiders won the championship and year later with a 21-20 decision.