page_title: Ken Kavanaugh
section_title: Pre-war
hierarchical_section_title: Ken Kavanaugh / Professional / Pre-war
caption_attribution_description: English: B-17G-85-BO Fortress 'Alice Blue Gown' Serial 43-38400 of the 851st Bomb Squadron, 490th Bomb Group, RAF Eye. This aircraft completed 67 missions.
context_page_description: Kenneth William Kavanaugh was an American football player, coach, and scout. He played professionally in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears as an end from 1940 to 1950, except for three seasons during which he served in World War II. He led the league in receiving touchdowns twice, and is a member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team. He is the Bears' all-time leader in receiving touchdowns, with 50.
  Kavanaugh played college football at Louisiana State University for the LSU Tigers, where he was named most valuable player of the Southeastern Conference and a consensus All-American in 1939 after leading the nation in receptions and receiving yards. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
context_section_description: After college, Kavanaugh signed a minor league baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals organization for $300 a month. He later signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears after striking a deal with Bears owner George Halas for $300 a game. He played for the Bears during a period in which they were nicknamed the Monsters of the Midway. In the 1940 NFL Championship Game, the Bears defeated the Washington Redskins 73–0, the most lopsided victory in NFL history. Kavanaugh caught the game's only touchdown pass, a 30-yard reception from quarterback Sid Luckman shortly before halftime. The next season, the Bears won the 1941 NFL Championship Game, as they defeated the New York Giants 39–7 and repeated as NFL champions. The final score in the game was a fumble recovery by Kavanaugh on defense, returning the ball 42 yards for a touchdown. In his first two seasons with the Bears, Kavanaugh compiled 23 receptions for 590 yards and nine touchdowns.
caption: Boeing B-17G Alice Blue Gown of the 851st Bomb Squadron
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