Kelvin Kirk

Kelvin Kirk (December 31, 1953 – July 2, 2003) was an American football wide receiver and kick returner.

Early years

Born in Mount Pleasant, Florida, Kirk's family relocated to Dayton, Ohio and he starred at Dunbar High School. Kirk then stayed in town to play his college ball at the University of Dayton, where he led the nation with 24.5 yards per reception in 1975.

"Mr. Irrelevant"

Kirk was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventeenth and final round of the 1976 NFL Draft, making him the first Mr. Irrelevant of the NFL Draft, an "honor" afforded the last player picked in the draft. (Kirk was the very last of 487 selections, the most ever in an NFL draft.)

Career

After being cut by the Steelers, Kirk headed north to play in the Canadian Football League; he wound up spending seven seasons (1977-83) in the CFL, playing with the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Rough Riders. He compiled over 6,500 yards in Canada as a wide receiver (153 catches for 2,942 yards and 16 touchdowns), punt returner (1,678 yards and 2 TD) and kickoff returner (1,922 yards and a touchdown).

Following his career in the CFL, Kirk worked as an artist for the Ottawa Citizen before his sudden death by heart attack while playing a pick-up game of basketball in 2003. Kirk was 49.