Sibling Rivalry

Kenny and David Irons 

(Published in The Auburn Plainsman on August 31, 2006)

            Did you know that two of the most recognizable players on the football team are brothers? David and Kenny Irons who play on opposite sides of the ball are charismatic individuals who play football with the same passion and charm that characterizes them. Originally from New Jersey, they moved to Georgia before middle school started. It’s ironic they both ended up at Auburn after the paths they took to get here.

            David Irons is the older of the two and the starting left cornerback, wearing number four. He is entering his sixth year of eligibility, but didn’t come to Auburn until the 2004 season. He had to have surgery on his knee, sitting out his first season after transferring from a community college in Kansas.

Ever since then, he has experienced a fair amount of success. The Associated Press thought he was good enough to name him to the All-Conference second team last year. He’s even starting to impress professional teams with his aggressiveness, mobility, and speed. He once ran a forty yard dash in 4.3 seconds. There are still concerns about his surgically repaired knee, but he will have plenty of chances to prove how healthy he is this season.

He’s already graduated with a degree in sociology. When asked about his future plans, David does not seem to care much about going pro. He would love to play in San Francisco like his idol Deion Sanders once did, but thinks he’ll probably be working a real job next year.

           Kenny Irons, number twenty-three, had a coming out party last season. He is just the running back Auburn needed after the departure of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown to the NFL. He led the SEC in rushing last year with 1,293 yards, which averages to about 108 yards per game. He is now considered one of the top backs in the country, and a significant reason why Auburn is considered to be a top-ten team heading into this season.

The path he took to get to here started in South Carolina. A highly recruited player out of high school, Kenny decided he wanted to be a Gamecock. Everything started going down hill when then coach Lou Holtz made him sit on the bench. Kenny was furious when a true freshman was promised a starting job over him, a sophomore. It got worse from there, prompting him to request a transfer.

He knew that he had a legitimate shot to start at Auburn. Though ultimately forgettable, the LSU game last season was a chance for Kenny to show off. Before the game, he predicted that he would run for at least two hundred yards against a stingy defense. He backed it up too, but it wasn’t a celebratory occasion after losing in overtime. Big things are expected from him this year, but a Heisman trophy probably isn’t in his future. He concedes that he’d much rather share the ball with his backups however. Playing the running back position takes its toll on the body.

            The Plainsman got a chance to talk with them both recently, hilarity ensued.

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