AFL Brings Back the Love of the Game in Kuykendall
Mary-Ann Williams
Saturday April 29, 2000
A starter all four years at Oregon State, Joe was pretty sure he’d find a place in the NFL. As a free agent, he got a tryout with the Indianapolis Colts, and spent four weeks trying to impress his would-be bosses to no avail. With no help from the other players, who seemed to only want to beat the rookies into submission, Joe was unable to prove himself as they required, and was sent on his way. A failed attempt to get into the European Leagues left him few places to go to continue playing a sport he loves. A family friend, Ray Braun, had been tapped as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma Wranglers, formerly a Portland team. He offered Joe a chance and, humbled by his previous experiences, Joe took him up on it. Not knowing what to expect, and not overly certain there would even be a league to try-out for, Joe gave it his best shot. And he found a place he wants to be.
“[In the AFL] the veterans on the team were ready to win and they knew you could help out. In the NFL they were out to beat you and make it so you wouldn’t play. You had to beat the other guy every play. There was never a break. And there was no camaraderie in the NFL; not like in the Arena League. I turn to a player before a coach. These guys are great,” said Joe.
With no tight end position in the AFL, Joe was forced to learn a new job, offensive/defensive lineman. While he can still play the basic role of the tight end, he now must also master the defensive side. Seems pretty easy when you figure he’s been trying to out-maneuver the defense his entire career, but he’s found that the hardest part is trying to read the players and master the moves of the defensive lineman. “I’m still learning that. I had to learn all new plays and the nuances of the defensive side are hard to get until you’ve played it awhile. You can really tell the guys who have mastered the position. They’ve been doing it a long time. I’m learning a lot from [veteran teammates] Chuck Reed, and Fernel Hanken. They’re really good.”
Compared to the NFL, training camp in the AFL was a joy. The rule changes came pretty quickly and easily to Joe, and everything was well organized and well taught. Despite a concussion and whiplash due to a car accident early in the pre-season, he feels like he’s ready to start. “I’ve learned a lot of patience waiting to get in there, but now I’d like to play. I’m not nervous at all. Everyone thinks I should be, but I just want to play.” He may get his chance on Monday when the Wranglers take on the L.A. Avengers with Tom Holmes (a former teammate at Oregon State) out with an injury. Reed and Hanken still have first dibs on the line, but Joe’s really hoping for his chance to prove himself. “Some things you can only learn by playing.”
And what happens after the Arena League? Does Joe want to go for another try for the NFL? “You know, I kind of soured on the NFL. In Arenaball, there aren’t so many restrictions and it’s not such a mental game. It’s fun. There isn’t the pressure of living up to the $30 million contract and the coaches aren’t out to get you. You can make a good living playing the game the way it’s supposed to be played. I thought this would be a stop-over until I made it to the NFL, but now I’m not so sure.”
In the off-season, Joe’s working on finishing his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, hoping to spend his time teaching and coaching when he’s not playing football. He worked hard during his years at Oregon State, and intends to put that learning to good use. Though the prevailing belief is that athletes aren’t required to work for their grades, Joe says, “When I went back this year [not playing football], I almost added two extra classes because I was so bored. I became very efficient at studying. I have never been given a grade in my entire career. It’s one of the biggest lies out there that I know of.” He adds, “I guess there might be other guys who didn’t work as hard as I did that might have gotten something from the professors, but my parents expected me to do well, so I worked hard. And so did all of my friends. None of us were lazy about our education.”
While Joe Kuykendall may never be a household name, he’s a hero to his friends and family for sticking with a sport that seemed to shun him. And in doing so, he found a place where he’s comfortable and happy playing a game that he loves. Not everyone figures out by 22 that life isn’t what you dream about, it’s what you make it.
Mary-Ann Williams lives in Chicagoland with her four children, Carter, Jackson, Jeremy, and Riley Jade. As a freelance writer, she`s written articles for the Associated Press, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Daily Herald. She also serves as editor of the AFL-side of Arenafan Online, and covers the Chicago Rush.
