Kelvin Kirk


Kelvin Kirk was an American professional football wide receiver and kick returner who played for seven seasons in the Canadian Football League. Kirk was also the first Mr. Irrelevant, as the 487th and last draft pick in the NFL draft">National Football League">NFL draft, which famously had the most players selected in any draft in NFL history. Kirk, being the last one selected, has since become the "most irrelevant" draft pick in NFL history.

Early life

Born in Mount Pleasant, Florida, Kirk's family relocated to Dayton, Ohio and he starred at Dunbar [High School (Dayton, Ohio)|Dunbar High School]. Kirk remained in town to play college football at the University of Dayton, where he led the nation with 24.5 yards per reception in 1975.

"Mr. Irrelevant"

Kirk was drafted by the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventeenth and final round of the 1976 NFL draft, making him the first Mr. Irrelevant of the NFL draft, an "honor" afforded the last player picked in the draft. Kirk was the last of 487 selections, the most ever made in an NFL draft.

Professional career

After being cut by the Steelers, Kirk headed north to play in the Canadian Football League; he wound up spending seven seasons in the CFL, playing with the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Ottawa Rough Riders. He compiled over 6,500 yards in Canada as a wide receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner.
Following his career in the CFL, Kirk worked as an artist for the Ottawa Citizen before his sudden death by heart attack while playing a pick-up game of basketball in 2003. Kirk was 49.