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Kenneth Gainwell
Kenneth Gainwell
from Wikipedia

Kenneth Gainwell (born March 14, 1999) is an American professional football running back and kick returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Memphis Tigers.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Gainwell grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi and attended Yazoo County High School. He was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Panthers. As a junior, he passed for 1,184 yards and nine touchdowns and rushed for 1,292 yards and 20 touchdowns. During the summer going into his senior season Gainwell committed to play college football at Memphis over offers from Ole Miss and Tulane.[1] As a senior, he passed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,834 yards and 32 touchdowns. Gainwell was named Class 3A Mr. Football as he led the Panthers to a 14–1 record and an appearance in the Class 3A state championship game.[2][3][4] Gainwell finished his high school career with 3,682 yards passing and 32 passing touchdowns and 4,730 rushing yards and 75 rushing touchdowns with one kickoff returned for a touchdown.[5]

College career

[edit]

Gainwell moved to running back during summer training camp and played in four games as a true freshman before deciding to redshirt the rest of the season. He finished the season with four carries for 91 yards and a touchdown, a 73-yard run, and six receptions for 52 yards.[6]

As a redshirt freshman, Gainwell was named the Tigers' starting running back following the departure of Tony Pollard. He was named the co-American Athletic Conference (AAC) player of the week after rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown and gaining 204 yards and scoring two touchdowns on nine receptions on October 19, 2019, in a 47–17 win over Tulane.[7] He rushed for 1,459 yards with 13 touchdowns on 231 carries and caught 51 passes for 610 yards and three touchdowns and was named the AAC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-AAC.[8][9] He was named a second-team All-American by the Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association, the National Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America and won the Shaun Alexander Award.[10][11][12][13]

Gainwell opted out of his final college season six days before the season opener after multiple family members died from COVID-19.[14]

Professional career

[edit]
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 Bench press
5 ft 8+38 in
(1.74 m)
201 lb
(91 kg)
30+58 in
(0.78 m)
9+78 in
(0.25 m)
4.44[15] s 1.62 s 2.57 s 4.46 s 7.26 s 35.0 in
(0.89 m)
10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
21 reps
All values from NFL Combine[16][17]

Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]
Gainwell during a game against the Washington Commanders in 2022

Gainwell was selected in the fifth round (150th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2021 NFL draft.[18] Gainwell was happy to be drafted by Philadelphia, as he grew up an Eagles fan, and his favorite player while growing up, Darren Sproles, works for the team as a consultant. Gainwell also said that he modeled his game after Sproles.[19] He signed his four-year rookie contract with Philadelphia on June 3, 2021.[20] Gainwell found moderate success as a rookie, as he ended the year with 68 carries for 291 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 33 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown.[21] Gainwell appeared in 16 games as a rookie, as he was a healthy scratch for the Eagles' week 11 showdown with the New Orleans Saints.[22]

In the 2022 season, Gainwell had 53 carries for 240 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 169 receiving yards.[23] In the team's 38–7 Divisional Round victory over the New York Giants, he had 10 carries for a career high 112 yards and a touchdown, as well as one reception for nine yards.[24] This performance made him just the sixth Eagles player to rush for at least 100 yards in a postseason game.[25] Gainwell helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII where they lost 38–35 to the Kansas City Chiefs. In the Super Bowl, Gainwell had seven carries for 21 rushing yards and four receptions for 20 receiving yards.[26]

Gainwell got off to a slow start during the 2023 season. During a Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders in which he lost a fumble, Gainwell received criticism for responding to a fan's critical Instagram post at halftime. In the 2023 season, he had 84 carries for 364 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns to go with 30 receptions for 183 receiving yards.[27] In the 2024 season, Gainwell had 75 carries for 290 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go with 16 receptions for 116 receiving yards to go with some kick return duties.[28] In Super Bowl LIX, he had six carries for ten yards in the 40–22 win over the Chiefs.[29]

Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]
Gainwell with the Steelers in 2025

On March 13, 2025, Gainwell signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.[30] On September 2, he was named the team's backup running back behind Jaylen Warren and the team's kick return specialist.[31]

Gainwell made his Steelers debut on September 7, recording seven rushes for 19 yards. His longest rush of the game was nine yards, which led the team. Gainwell also made three catches for four yards as the Steelers won 34–32.[32]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2021 PHI 16 1 68 291 4.3 18 5 50 33 253 7.7 19 1
2022 PHI 17 0 53 240 4.5 13 4 29 23 169 7.3 20 0
2023 PHI 16 2 84 364 4.3 32 2 37 30 183 6.1 19 0
2024 PHI 17 1 75 290 3.9 20 1 22 16 116 7.3 16 0
2025 PIT 17 2 114 537 4.7 55 5 85 73 486 6.7 45 3
Career 83 6 394 1,722 4.4 55 17 223 175 1,207 6.9 45 4

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Tgt Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2021 PHI 1 0 1 6 6.0 6 0 5 5 49 9.8 20 1
2022 PHI 3 0 33 181 5.5 35 1 9 7 55 7.9 17 0
2023 PHI 1 0 4 3 0.8 4 0 2 2 10 5.0 9 0
2024 PHI 4 0 13 42 3.2 10 0 3 3 10 8.7 10 0
Career 9 0 51 232 25.8 35 1 19 17 140 8.2 20 1

Personal life

[edit]

Gainwell's younger brother, Kory, played defensive back and running back at Yazoo County and is committed to play at Memphis.[33] Gainwell is the cousin of former Eagles player Fletcher Cox, who was his teammate for 3 seasons.[34]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kenneth Gainwell (born March 14, 1999) is an for the of the (NFL). Gainwell attended Yazoo County High School in , where he played and led his team to a 14-1 record in his senior year, passing for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 1,834 yards and 32 touchdowns. He then played at the from 2017 to 2020, where he transitioned to and amassed 1,550 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns over his career, earning first-team All- honors in 2019 after rushing for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns that season. Selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, Gainwell spent four seasons with the team, appearing in 66 regular-season games with 280 carries for 1,185 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 102 receptions for 721 yards and 1 receiving touchdown. During his tenure, he contributed as a versatile backup, including in the Eagles' run to Super Bowl LVII following the 2022 season, where he led the team with 181 rushing yards on 29 carries across three playoff games. In March 2025, Gainwell signed a one-year, $1.79 million contract with the Steelers, where as of November 15, 2025, through nine games he has served as a backup running back, rushing for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns on 52 carries while adding 123 receiving yards on 29 catches.

Early life

Family and childhood

Kenneth Gainwell was born on March 14, 1999, in . He grew up in Yazoo County, where his family has deep roots, and was raised by his parents, Monica Gainwell and Curtis Gainwell Sr. The Gainwells emphasized close-knit bonds, with Gainwell sharing his childhood home with his older brother, Curtis Jr., and younger brother, Kory, fostering a supportive environment centered on perseverance and mutual encouragement. Gainwell's early years were marked by significant family challenges that shaped his resilience. In , when Gainwell was 14, his older brother Curtis Jr. suffered a pediatric , requiring him to relearn how to walk and talk; this ordeal profoundly influenced Gainwell, who drew inspiration from his brother's recovery and during their shared upbringing in rural . The family dynamics highlighted themes of adaptation and strength, as the brothers often spent time together outdoors, navigating the close community of Yazoo County while coping with such personal hardships. Gainwell's initial exposure to football came through familial and local influences in Yazoo County, where he and his brothers played informally in their backyard, building foundational skills amid the region's strong community ties to the sport. His cousin, , also from the area, exemplified the family's athletic heritage, indirectly motivating Gainwell's early interest without formal training at that stage. These experiences laid the groundwork for his later development, emphasizing and learned at home.

High school career

Kenneth Gainwell attended Yazoo County High School in Yazoo City, Mississippi, where he excelled as a dual-threat quarterback for the Panthers football team. Over four varsity seasons, Gainwell amassed 4,730 rushing yards and 75 rushing touchdowns as a running back and quarterback, while also throwing for 3,682 passing yards and 32 passing touchdowns, contributing to a career total of 8,412 all-purpose yards and 108 touchdowns—including one kickoff return score. His versatility was evident in 24 games where he surpassed 200 all-purpose yards, often carrying the offense through both passing and rushing. Gainwell earned All-League recognition and was named Mississippi's Class 3A Mr. Football in 2017 following his senior season, in which he led the Panthers to a school-record 14-1 finish and an appearance in the MHSAA Class 3A state championship game. Under his , Yazoo County made four straight state playoff berths, marking a period of sustained team success. As a three-star recruit rated by , Gainwell drew interest from multiple programs, receiving his first scholarship offer from Memphis and ultimately committing to the Tigers ahead of offers from Ole Miss and Tulane.

College career

Kenneth Gainwell enrolled at the in 2018, where he played as a for the Tigers football team. During his true season in 2018, Gainwell saw limited action due to a Lisfranc foot injury that ultimately led to him redshirting the year. He appeared in four games, recording 91 rushing yards on just four carries with one , while also contributing six receptions for 52 yards through the air. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Gainwell experienced a breakout campaign, stepping into the starting role after an to the previous lead back and becoming a focal point of the Tigers' high-powered offense. He rushed for 1,459 yards on 231 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt, and scored 13 rushing touchdowns, while adding 51 receptions for 610 yards and three receiving scores—totaling 16 touchdowns from scrimmage. His versatility was highlighted by multiple 100-yard rushing games, including six consecutive, a school record for a , and he became the first Memphis player to achieve a 100-yard rushing and receiving performance in the same game against Tulane. For his efforts, Gainwell earned AAC Rookie of the Year honors, unanimous First-team All-AAC selection, FWAA All-American recognition, and the FWAA National of the Year award, marking the first time a received the latter distinction. Through the end of the 2019 season, Gainwell had accumulated 1,550 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 235 carries, along with 57 receptions for 662 yards and three receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat capabilities as a back. His emergence was instrumental in the Tigers' 12-2 record, AAC Championship victory, and appearance in the , where the team fell to Penn State. Gainwell's production helped solidify Memphis as one of the top programs, with the offense ranking among the nation's best in total yards and scoring.
SeasonGamesRushing AttRushing YdsRushing AvgRushing TDRecRec YdsRec AvgRec TD
2018449122.816528.70
2019142311,4596.3135161012.03
Total182351,5506.6145766211.63

2020 opt-out

On August 31, 2020, Kenneth Gainwell announced via an on that he would of the 2020 season at the , citing health risks associated with the . In the statement, he described it as "the toughest decision of my life," expressing his deep love for the game while emphasizing the need to prioritize his well-being amid the ongoing crisis. Gainwell noted that he had consulted with his family and coaches before making the choice, underscoring his commitment to safeguarding his health over continuing to play. The decision was profoundly shaped by a series of personal tragedies, as Gainwell lost four family members to earlier that year, including his uncle. At the time of the announcement, three relatives had already passed, with a fourth dying shortly thereafter, which his father confirmed as a major factor in the opt-out. Gainwell later reflected on the emotional weight of these losses, describing the period as one of immense hardship that necessitated stepping away from football to provide support to his grieving family during the . The opt-out also allowed Gainwell to preserve his remaining eligibility, as he had redshirted his freshman year in 2018 after appearing in four games due to injury, positioning him as a redshirt sophomore entering 2020. Rather than return for what would have been his senior year in 2021, he shifted focus to professional preparation, stating in his announcement, "I will be focusing on my health and preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft." This move aligned with his public emphasis on valuing family and personal safety above athletic pursuits, a sentiment echoed by his father in interviews.

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Gainwell was selected by the in the fifth round (150th overall) of the out of the . As a rookie under head coach , he quickly carved out a niche as the team's third-down and kick returner, appearing in 16 games with limited starting opportunities. In that 2021 season, Gainwell rushed 68 times for 291 yards and 5 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, while adding 33 receptions for 253 yards and 1 receiving touchdown as a pass-catching option out of the backfield. His versatility proved valuable in situational roles, helping to complement the primary backfield duo of and . Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Gainwell's usage increased significantly as he evolved into a reliable RB2, contributing to the Eagles' competitive campaigns, including their run to after the 2022 regular season. In 2022, he played all 17 games, rushing 53 times for 240 yards and 4 touchdowns (4.5 yards per carry), with 23 receptions for 169 yards. The following year, amid a backfield reshaped by the addition of , Gainwell appeared in 16 games (2 starts), posting 84 carries for 364 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, alongside 30 catches for 183 yards. His playoff contributions during the 2022 postseason were particularly notable, including 14 carries for 48 yards and 2 receptions for 26 yards in the NFC win over the and 7 carries for 21 yards with 4 receptions for 20 yards in the loss to the [Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs). Overall in the 2022 playoffs, he had 33 carries for 181 yards and 1 touchdown, plus 7 receptions for 55 yards. These performances underscored his utility in both run and pass games, with Gainwell often deployed in third-down and short-yardage situations to exploit mismatches. Entering the 2024 season on the final year of his four-year rookie contract worth $3.82 million, Gainwell maintained a multi-faceted role within Sirianni's offense, blending rushing, receiving, and special teams duties across 17 games. He recorded 75 carries for 290 yards and 1 , while catching 16 passes for 116 yards. Highlights included a 19-yard rushing gain in a key divisional matchup, demonstrating his burst despite a committee approach that limited individual volume. Throughout his Eagles tenure, Gainwell's development from a draft-day flier to a dependable rotational player highlighted his adaptability, though his snap share hovered around 25-30% to preserve his fresh legs for critical moments.

Pittsburgh Steelers

In March 2025, Gainwell signed a one-year contract with the worth $1.79 million, including $620,000 in guaranteed money, following his departure from the as a . Gainwell joined the as the backup behind , while also securing the role of primary kick returner on special teams under head coach . He adapted quickly to Tomlin's disciplined, run-heavy offensive scheme, leveraging his versatility from prior experience to contribute in multiple phases of the game. Through 10 games of the 2025 season (as of November 15, 2025), Gainwell recorded 52 rushing attempts for 220 yards and three touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 127 yards, establishing himself as a reliable complementary back despite a shared workload. On special teams, he handled 15 kick returns for 392 yards, averaging 26.1 yards per return. A standout performance came in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings in , , where Gainwell served as the lead back, rushing 19 times for 99 yards and two touchdowns while catching six passes for 35 yards. In Week 9's 27-20 victory over the , he added four receptions for 35 yards on five targets, though limited to three carries for minus-1 yard on offense. In Week 10, Gainwell had 2 receptions for 4 yards on 3 targets with no rushes in a 25-10 loss to the . These contributions helped the Steelers to a 5-3 record entering Week 10, though they fell to 5-4 following the defeat.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Gainwell's regular season performance in the NFL is summarized in the following year-by-year statistics, drawn from official league records.
YearTeamGGSRush AttRush YdsRush TDLngRec TgtRecRec YdsRec TDKRKR YdsKR TDFum
2021PHI16068291018331925301433100
2022PHI17053240222252519400001
2023PHI16084364219352923620002
2024PHI1747529012018125620002
2025PIT9152220318342912300002
Through the first nine games of the 2025 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers (as of November 15, 2025), Gainwell has recorded 52 rushing attempts for 220 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, along with 29 receptions for 123 yards on 34 targets and 2 fumbles. Over his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 to 2024, Gainwell appeared in 66 games with 4 starts, accumulating 280 rushing attempts for 1,185 yards and 5 touchdowns (averaging 4.2 yards per carry), 85 receptions for 739 yards and 4 touchdowns on 111 targets, 14 kick returns for 331 yards, and 5 fumbles. Across his entire career to date (75 games, 5 starts), Gainwell has totaled 332 rushing attempts for 1,405 yards and 8 touchdowns (4.2 yards per carry average), 114 receptions for 862 yards and 4 touchdowns, 14 kick returns for 331 yards, and 7 fumbles.

Postseason

Gainwell's postseason contributions with the spanned four seasons, where he appeared in nine games as a rotational and special teams player, often providing explosive plays and pass-catching versatility in high-stakes matchups. His role expanded in key moments, such as leading the Eagles in rushing yards during their 2022 NFC Championship run, though his overall usage remained complementary to primary backs like and . Across these appearances, Gainwell demonstrated efficiency, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and contributing in the receiving game, while also handling kick return duties early in his career. The following table summarizes Gainwell's year-by-year postseason statistics:
YearTeamGames PlayedRushing Att/Yds/TDReceiving Rec/Yds/TDKick Returns Ret/Yds/TD
202111/6/05/49/13/57/0
2022333/181/18/55/01/11/0
202314/3/02/10/00/0/0
2024413/42/03/26/04/110/0
Notable performances include a 112-yard, one-touchdown rushing effort against the in the 2022 Divisional Round, capped by a 35-yard touchdown run that sealed a 38-7 victory, and seven carries for 21 yards in against the , where he helped sustain drives in a 38-35 loss. In the 2024 playoffs, Gainwell contributed 13 carries for 42 yards across four games during the Eagles' run to victory, including six carries for 10 yards in the Super Bowl win over the Chiefs, though his volume decreased compared to his regular-season change-of-pace role, reflecting a committee approach. Career postseason totals: 9 games played, 51 rushing attempts for 232 yards and 1 (4.6 avg), 18 receptions for 140 yards and 1 (7.8 avg), and 8 kick returns for 178 yards (22.3 avg). As of November 2025, Gainwell has not appeared in postseason games with the , as the 2025 regular season remains ongoing.

Personal life

Family

Kenneth Gainwell was raised by his parents, Monica Gainwell and Curtis Gainwell Sr., in , where the family has deep roots. His parents provided unwavering support throughout his football journey, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and family values from his early days in youth leagues to his college career at the . Curtis Sr. has spoken publicly about his son's dedication, noting how the family's encouragement helped shape Gainwell's resilience on and off the field. Gainwell grew up alongside his siblings and extended relatives in the close-knit Yazoo City community, including an older brother, Curtis Jr., who inspired him after suffering a life-altering during a college football tryout at age 18, and a younger brother, Kory, who followed in his footsteps by playing football at Yazoo County High School and committing to Memphis. The family's emphasis on unity and perseverance amid challenges has been a cornerstone of Gainwell's life. In 2020, the Gainwell family endured profound tragedy when four members died from , profoundly affecting Gainwell emotionally and reinforcing his prioritization of and . This loss deepened his -first philosophy, which drives his career decisions and personal motivations, as he has often stated that everything he achieves is for his loved ones. Gainwell embodies this outlook through initiatives like the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign, where in 2024 he honored the Pediatric Stroke Program at , a cause inspired by his brother Curtis Jr.'s experience. As of 2025, he is married to Jada Gainwell, with no public information available regarding children.

Community involvement

Kenneth Gainwell has actively engaged in community initiatives focused on youth development and health awareness, particularly through hosting annual free football camps in his hometown of . In July 2023, he organized his second annual youth football camp at Yazoo County High School, where approximately 100 young participants received instruction from Gainwell and fellow players, including wide receiver , emphasizing skill-building drills and mentorship. The event continued in June 2024 as the third annual camp, further solidifying Gainwell's commitment to providing accessible opportunities for local children to engage in sports and receive guidance from professional athletes. During his tenure with the from 2021 to 2024, Gainwell participated in the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats initiative, prominently supporting the Pediatric Stroke Program at (CHOP). He first highlighted the program in 2022 by wearing custom cleats during games, a practice he repeated in subsequent seasons, including 2024, to raise awareness and funds for pediatric prevention and treatment efforts. This involvement reflects his dedication to health-related causes in the community, motivated by personal family experiences with medical challenges. Gainwell's philanthropy extends to broader Eagles community programs, aligning with outreach themes of youth mentorship and family support. Gainwell's community efforts also tie subtly to awareness, as his public decision to of the 2020 season—amid family losses to the —highlighted the pandemic's broader impacts and encouraged reflection on health risks within his circles. Following his move to the in 2025, Gainwell has begun integrating into team-led initiatives, such as appearing at the Steelers High School Showcase in September 2025 to support youth football development, signaling potential expansion of his mentorship activities in .

References

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