Inductees

At 290 pounds, “Jumbo” Jim Kekeris was used as a tackle, fullback and place-kicker by Coaches Don Faurot and Chauncey Simpson from 1943-46. A St Louis native, Kekeris earned all-Big Six Conference honors three times, and was a second-team all-American as a senior. He played in the East-West Shrine game and College All-Star game. He was MU’s “Most Valuable Player” in the 1946 Cotton Bowl, and later was voted to the all-time Cotton Bowl team.

Kekeris was drafted in the third round of the 1947 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions and would play that season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The following season he played with the Green Bay Packers. Injuries shortened his professional career.

He returned to Columbia and became a success in the insurance industry.  Kekeris was a huge supporter of Ol’ Mizzou, and spent time as the Mizzou’s football play-by-play commentator on KMOX radio.