Derek Kennard Derek Craig Kennard ( born September 9 , 1962 ) is a former American football guard and center who played 11 seasons in the National Football League for the St . Louis / Phoenix Cardinals , New Orleans Saints , and the Dallas Cowboys . Previously he played two seasons in the United States Football League for the Los Angeles Express . Early years . Kennard attended Edison High School where his No . 73 jersey was retired in 1996 . He accepted a scholarship to the University of Nevada , Reno , where he was a second team All - - Big Sky as a sophomore , and first team All - - Big Sky as a junior and senior . He was named to the second team All - America n team in 1983 as an offensive tackle . In 1996 he was inducted into Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame and he also is part of the Big Sky Conference Silver Anniversary team . Professional career . Los Angeles Express ( USFL ) . Kennard was drafted in the third round of the 1984 USFL Collegiate Draft by the Los Angeles Express . After being converted to guard , he played in 20 games during 2 seasons . Saint Louis Cardinals . He joined the Saint Louis Cardinals after the USFL folded in August 1986 , which was the team that owned his rights after drafting him in the second round ( 45th overall ) of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL Players . In 1988 he was an alternate selection to the Pro Bowl . In 1989 he was suspended 2 games , after crashing his car while driving under the influence . Kennard played in 73 games and had a streak of 40 consecutive starts . New Orleans Saints . In 1991 he was traded along with a draft choice to the New Orleans Saints , in exchange for holdout cornerback Robert Massey . He opened the season as the started at right guard , but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in a weight room accident , and was lost for the year after the third game . Kennard played 3 seasons and had 32 consecutive starts at guard and center . He became a free agent at the end of the 1993 season Dallas Cowboys . In 1994 he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an unrestricted free agent , primarily to be the starting right guard , replacing Kevin Gogan who signed with the Los Angeles Raiders . In 1995 after injuring his hip in training camp , he told the team that he was retiring because of health reasons , but Jerry Jones eventually convinced him to return back . When Larry Allen moved from left tackle back to right guard , he became a backup offensive lineman . After Ray Donaldson suffered a broken right ankle and was placed on injured reserve , he started the last 4 games at center and all of the playoffs . In Super Bowl XXX he started at center and played with a severe separated shoulder . Although he was not a part of team at the start of the 1996 season , the team signed him to help in one game . He retired at the end of the year . Personal life . His son Derek Kennard Jr . played defensive tackle for the University of Nevada , Reno and Devon Kennard , currently plays for USC . Since being retired from the NFL , Kennard has shifted his focus to helping improve the health of current and former professional athletes through promoting sleep apnea awareness across the country . He has teamed up with dental icon , David Gergen , and a company called Pro Player Health Alliance to hold free public awareness events in local communities all over the nation . After joining Pro Player Health Alliance , he has helped get over 150 former players successfully treated for sleep apnea .