Kenny Stills

Kenny Stills – Life, Career, and Notable Insights

A detailed biography of Kenny Stills, the American football wide receiver — his early life, college and NFL journey, activism, and key reflections.

Introduction

Kenneth Lee “Kenny” Stills Jr. (born April 22, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver.

Over his career, Stills played for multiple teams in the NFL, became known not only for his speed and playmaking ability but also for his willingness to use his platform in activism and community work.

Early Life and Family

Kenny Stills was born in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, though he spent much of his youth in Southern California. He is the son of Ken Stills, who played in the NFL as a safety from 1985 to 1990.

In high school, Stills attended La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, California. He was a multi-sport athlete — competing in football, basketball, and track & field.

As a high school football player, Stills posted strong numbers: over his career, he accumulated 3,041 receiving yards in the San Diego area, setting records in that region. In track & field, he demonstrated speed, placing third in both the 100-meter and 200-meter events (10.84 s and 21.76 s, respectively) at the Avocado League Finals in 2009.

College Career

Stills committed to the University of Oklahoma, playing for the Oklahoma Sooners from 2010 to 2012.

Even as a true freshman, he started all 14 games, catching 61 passes for 786 yards and 5 touchdowns. In 2011, he again caught 61 passes, but increased his yardage to 849 and touchdown tally to 8. In his final season (2012), he totaled 82 receptions for 959 yards and 11 touchdowns.

His college career totals:

• 204 receptions

• 2,594 receiving yards

• 24 receiving touchdowns

After the 2012 season, he chose to forgo his final college year and declared for the NFL Draft.

Professional Career

Entry into the NFL & Saints (2013–2014)

Kenny Stills was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th round (144th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he managed 32 receptions, 641 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns over 16 games (10 starts).

In 2014, he increased his production: 63 catches for 931 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Miami Dolphins (2015–2018)

In March 2015, Stills was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and a 3rd-round draft pick. His role in Miami varied; 2016 was a full 16-game season with 42 receptions, 726 yards, and 9 touchdowns. In 2017, he signed a 4-year extension. He had some standout performances, such as in Week 7, 2017, when he caught a deflected pass that bounced off a defender and back to him for a score. Also in 2017, in a game versus Tampa Bay, he had 180 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns, though his team lost.

In the 2018 season opener, Stills had 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 75-yard catch.

Houston Texans & Later Years (2019–2021)

On August 31, 2019, Stills was traded (along with Laremy Tunsil) to the Houston Texans. In 2019, he recorded 40 receptions, 561 yards, and 4 touchdowns over 13 games. In 2020, his involvement declined; by November he was released by the Texans.

On January 4, 2021, Stills signed with the Buffalo Bills (practice squad) and was activated for the AFC Championship game, though he did not record stats.

Later in 2021, he returned to the Saints’ organization.

By the end of his career, his NFL career stats include:

• 316 receptions

• 4,911 receiving yards

• 38 receiving touchdowns

Activism, Philanthropy & Off-Field Work

Stills has been active off the field, especially in social justice and community health efforts.

He founded the Kenny Stills Foundation, which is dedicated to empowering underserved communities and enhancing quality of life through education and experience. One of the Foundation’s signature events is the Still Growing Summit, aimed at mental wellness and community engagement.

In 2016, Kenny Stills and several teammates took a knee during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

On July 14, 2020, Stills was among 87 protesters arrested outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron in a demonstration calling for accountability in the killing of Breonna Taylor.

He also runs or supports initiatives through the Still Growing Summit and the Road Trip series, where he travels to various parts of the Southern U.S. to listen, learn, and be present in conversations about social issues.

Personality & Traits

From his career and public statements, these aspects of Stills’ character are evident:

• Compassion & social awareness — His public activism shows he sees athletics as a platform, not just entertainment.

• Leadership — He has taken initiatives (foundation, summits) to bring others into conversation and action.

• Resilience — Navigating team trades, fluctuating on-field roles, and public scrutiny, he persisted in both sport and advocacy.

• Accountability — He has spoken about preparing, working hard, and not disappointing those who believe in him (teammates, fans).

• Engagement & listening — His road trip efforts suggest he values hearing from communities, not just broadcasting messages.

Selected Quotes & Insights

While Kenny Stills is less widely quoted than some athletes, here are a few ideas and statements associated with him:

• On protesting and social justice, he has said he continues to kneel as part of “Carrying Colin Kaepernick’s torch.”

• In interviews, he has spoken about how kneeling is a form of protest, not disrespect to service members, and has emphasized understanding and educating.

• On mental wellness and youth, his foundation work demonstrates belief that healing and support must be part of community uplift.

Lessons from Kenny Stills

1. Athletic success is a platform, not the endpoint
   Stills used his visibility to advocate, create community programming, and influence social change.

2. Speak up in moments that matter
   Rather than avoid controversy, he chose to be visible in protests and social causes.

3. Invest in community beyond sports
   His foundation, summits, and road trips show a commitment to long-term impact, especially in youth and mental health.

4. Adaptability & perseverance
   His career had highs and lows, team changes and shifting roles — yet he continued to find ways to contribute on and off the field.

5. Listening is part of leadership
   His road trips and community engagement indicate he values hearing perspectives before prescribing solutions.

Conclusion

Kenny Stills’ journey illustrates more than athletic achievement. He combined speed, skill, and effort on the football field with a deeper sense of purpose off it. Whether through protests, youth summits, or community dialogue, he invested in causes that transcend game days.