Marianna High School Alumni
Marianna, Florida (FL)
James W. Kynes
Professional football player, lawyer, corporate executive, and Florida Attorney General.
What is James W. Kynes known for?
James Walter Kynes Jr. was born in the small town of Marianna, Florida on August 31, 1928. An alumnus of Marianna High School, he excelled in football, receiving all-state recognition for his prowess on the field.
After high school, Kynes attended the University of Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators football team from 1946 to 1949. He demonstrated exceptional versatility on the field, playing both offense and defense. In his senior year, he served as team captain and was named a third-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) lineman. Besides his athletic pursuits, Kynes was also an outstanding student, earning his bachelor's degree in 1950 and receiving induction into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1976.
After university, Kynes was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1950 NFL Draft. However, he decided to play center for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League for the 1950 season.
Aside from his football career, Kynes was a notable lawyer, political appointee, and corporate executive. He returned to the University of Florida in 1952 to attend the College of Law and graduated in 1955. He went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and then entered private practice in Ocala, Florida.
In 1960, Kynes took on the role of Florida governor Farris Bryant's executive assistant. He later served as Florida Attorney General from 1964 to 1965, appointed by Bryant to succeed Richard Ervin.
Throughout his career, Kynes made significant contributions to both sports and public service, and his life serves as an inspiring example of the potential for success in multiple fields.