Devon Kennard, an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), was born on June 24, 1991. He is also a businessman, investor, and philanthropist.
In the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected him. Kennard committed to the Detroit Lions in 2018. In 2018 and 2019, he served as team captain. In 2019, he was a candidate for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
He earned both an undergraduate and a master’s degree in communication management while playing collegiate football at USC.
In the fifth round (174th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft, the New York Giants made Kennard their selection.
Kennard, one of three players from USC, was selected as the 24th linebacker overall in 2014.
On March 15, 2018, the Detroit Lions agreed to a three-year, $17.25 million deal with Kennard, which included an $8.50 million guarantee and a $5.25 million signing bonus.
In training camp, Kennard was expected to start at outside linebacker. Along with Christian Jones and starting middle linebacker Jarrad Davis, head coach Matt Patricia started Kennard as the outside linebacker for the first game of the regular season.
Kennard and the Arizona Cardinals agreed to a three-year contract on March 21, 2020. In Week 2’s 30-15 victory over the Washington Football Team, Kennard recorded his first season-high sack.