Alvin Kamara Revives Interest in Ernie Nevers

When he rushed for six touchdowns in the New Orleans Saints’ 52-33 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, Alvin Kamara sent fans and historians into the record books, where they found he had tied a long-held NFL mark.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Ernie Nevers rushed for 12 touchdowns for the Chicago Cardinals in 1929. Half of them came on Thanksgiving Day in a 40-6 victory over the rival Chicago Bears.

Nevers, who also kicked four extra points that day to account for all 40 points, had been a multi-sport standout at Stanford University. After he finished his collegiate career, he signed pro basketball and baseball contracts.

In 1927, Nevers threw two home run pitches to Babe Ruth in The Bambino’s historic 60-home run season. He also accomplished another notable feat that season: He struck out Ruth twice.

Derrick Goold, the lead Cardinals beat writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, recalled Nevers’ baseball career and that season in St. Louis Browns history in a fascinating article published Sunday.

For more on Nevers, check out his Hall of Fame bio here.