Ken Poole, a Hermitage native who went on to play in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins, was born on this day in 1958.
Poole grew up in Bradley County and played football at Hermitage High School before continuing his career at Northeast Louisiana University, now the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
He became a standout defensive lineman in college. During his senior season in 1980, Poole recorded 104 tackles and led Northeast Louisiana in tackles, an unusual feat for a defensive lineman.
The Miami Dolphins selected Poole in the fifth round of the 1981 NFL Draft with the 126th overall pick.
Wearing No. 78, he made Miami’s roster as a rookie and appeared in all 16 regular-season games during the 1981 season under legendary head coach Don Shula.
That Dolphins team finished 11-4-1 and won the AFC East. Poole also appeared in Miami’s memorable playoff game against the San Diego Chargers, a 41-38 overtime loss that became one of the best-known postseason games in NFL history.
Poole’s NFL career was brief, but his path from Hermitage High School to the Miami Dolphins remains a notable chapter in Bradley County sports history.
Ken Poole was born Oct. 20, 1958, in Hermitage.
