Bayou Classic's 50th: Kenny "The Body Snatcher" Times Reflects On Southern's Historic 1979 Win

HBCU legend Kenny "The Body Snatcher" Times reflects on Southern's 1979 Bayou Classic win against Grambling.

HOUSTON - Southern University's and HBCU legend Kenny "The Body Snatcher, reflected on the Jaguars' historic win in the 1979 Bayou Classic ahead of the 50th Annual Bayou Classic on Saturday, Nov. 25. Times was the game's Defensive MVP of the nation's top defense, recording ten tackles and two sacks in the 14-7 victory over Eddie Robinson's Grambling State Tigers. It marked the first time in five previous attempts that the Jaguars beat Grambling in the Bayou Classic.

In this episode of the "Blow The Whistle Podcast," Kenny Times shared his thoughts on the excitement and dedication leading up to the 1979 Bayou Classic, the significance of defeating Grambling, and its impact on the Southern University community. He also dives into his journey as a Jaguar, the challenges of coaching turnovers, and the talent within HBCU football. 

In a 2021 interview with HBCU Legends, Times reflected on his role and halftime speech. "I had to be confident. My teammates looked to me to set the tone," Times said. "Coach, let me speak to the defense [at halftime]. The game is in our control right now. We are here. All we got to play as hard as we did in the first half and play like that in the second half." He continued, "Because you have this psychological barrier in your mind that if you don't watch it, there's an aura about this game, in the back of your mind, there's a little bit of doubt that we still might be losing." 

KEY QUOTES FROM KENNY TIMES

Rewriting History: "It's a very exciting time because you get a chance to rewrite record books in history. So it's really an exciting time for everybody."— Kenny Times 

Overcoming Defeat and Achieving Victory as a Unified Team: "We did it, but we did it as a unit."— Kenny Times 

The Resilience of Doug Williams: "He's an icon. I will always love that brother, man, because what he is doing when he went back to coach, He touched some young men that he was a father figure to."— Kenny Times

The Power of Perseverance: "We had to pick ourselves up, and it was not easy."— Kenny Times 

Believing in the Last Second: "If you get beat down for years, and what else can get you up? Right. Right. Nothing else. So you have to have this guy that believe no matter what happened, believe to the last second ticks off that clock."— Kenny Times 

The Importance of Turnovers in Games: "I think the game [50th Bayou Classic] is going to come down to turnovers.  Who has the less turnovers will win the game. Who has the most turnovers will lose that game."— Kenny Times 

Southern University's 'First Bayou Classic Win in 1979' with MVP Kenny 'The Body Snatcher' Times

Transitions in Coaching at Southern University: "It's a huge adjustment [as a player] because the fact of it is, now you don't know which way the wind is gonna blow. Before you knew the coach was you knew...and you knew what he expected."— Kenny Times

The Key to Success in Football: "You're going to have to learn personalities. You're gonna have to learn attitudes, who is driven, who is not driven? It's a lot that goes into it. But do know this. Some of the stuff you can't find, steal, nor borrow it. You just got to have it. And that's being a football player."— Kenny Times

The Importance of Instilling Good Values: "They still know the good ingredients that he instilled in them, how to become a man, what things you need to do to put, in perspective."— Kenny Times

HBCU Football Talent: "Talent wise, everybody has to be taught."— Kenny Times