Tom Kennedy Bio
Tom Kennedy (born July 29, 1996) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He is also a former professional lacrosse player and one of only two athletes, alongside Chris Hogan, to appear in both a professional lacrosse game and a professional football game.
A native of Farmingdale, New York, Kennedy played college football for the Bryant Bulldogs after also starring as a midfielder on the Bryant lacrosse team. Listed at 5 feet 10 inches tall and 195 pounds, he has carved out a long career as a depth receiver and special teams contributor in Detroit.
Early Life and Background
Tom Kennedy was born on July 29, 1996, in Farmingdale, New York. He grew up in the Farmingdale area and attended Farmingdale High School, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete. From a young age, he was drawn to competitive team sports and gained early experience playing both football and lacrosse, two sports that would later define his athletic career.
His upbringing on Long Island placed him in a region with a strong football culture, and he earned recognition as a high school prospect before committing to Bryant University. The Farmingdale background gave him a foundation in discipline and versatility, traits that would later allow him to move between sports at the collegiate and professional levels.
Path to American Football
Kennedy committed to play both football and lacrosse at Bryant University. During his early college years he showed promise in both programs, but after his freshman football season he stepped away from the gridiron in order to focus on lacrosse. The decision allowed him to develop into a first team All-Northeast Conference midfielder in 2017, helping the Bulldogs reach the 2017 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship.
Despite his lacrosse success, Kennedy chose to return to football ahead of his senior year. In his first senior football season he was named first team All-NEC after catching 57 passes for 888 yards and nine touchdowns, while also adding 66 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. He was again recognized as an All-NEC midfielder in his final lacrosse season before eventually returning to Bryant from professional lacrosse to play one final season of college football, recording 33 receptions for 410 yards and a touchdown.
Tom Kennedy Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
Kennedy’s professional career began in lacrosse when he was selected in the third round of the 2018 Major League Lacrosse Draft by the Boston Cannons. He played in six games for the Cannons during the 2018 season before leaving the team to return to Bryant as a graduate student and complete his football eligibility.
After his final college football season, Kennedy signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2019, following a rookie minicamp. He was waived on August 31 as part of final roster cuts but was re-signed to the Lions’ practice squad the following day. On September 27 he was promoted to the active roster and made his NFL debut on September 29 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was waived on October 14 and returned to the practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract on December 30.
NFL Breakthrough (2021-2022)
On September 5, 2020, Kennedy was waived by the Lions and signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 5, 2021, and continued to develop within the organization as injuries created opportunities in the receiving corps.
On October 17, 2021, with fellow receivers Tyrell Williams and Quintez Cephus sidelined, Kennedy caught his first NFL pass in a 34-11 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, adding 83 yards on four kick returns in the same game. After being waived and re-signed through the practice squad, he was promoted back to the active roster on November 20. His most memorable early moment came on January 9, 2022, when he recorded his first NFL touchdown by throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass to Kalif Raymond on a trick play in a 37-30 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Detroit Lions Era (2022-Present)
Kennedy remained with the Detroit Lions through a series of practice squad and reserve/future moves that reflected his value as a dependable depth player and special teams option. On August 30, 2022, he was waived and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, was promoted on October 5, and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 9, 2023. He was waived on July 28, 2023, and placed on injured reserve before reaching an injury settlement with the Lions on August 7.
The Lions re-signed Kennedy to the practice squad on November 29, 2023, and he signed another reserve/future contract on January 30, 2024. He was released on August 27, 2024, re-signed to the practice squad, and promoted to the active roster on December 21. He was waived on January 2, 2025, returned to the practice squad, and signed a reserve/future contract on January 20, 2025. Kennedy was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster on November 26, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kennedy’s path to playing time has relied on versatility, special teams value, and the trust of the Detroit Lions coaching staff. His experience as a dual-sport athlete at Bryant, where he played both football and lacrosse at a high level, gave him reliable hands, body control, and the football instincts needed to execute trick plays like the 75-yard touchdown pass he threw to Kalif Raymond.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kennedy is one of only two athletes, alongside former NFL receiver Chris Hogan, to appear in both a professional lacrosse game and a professional football game. He earned first-team All-NEC honors in both football and lacrosse at Bryant, caught his first NFL pass in 2021, and threw his first NFL touchdown pass in 2022 against the Green Bay Packers. His ongoing run of practice squad promotions reflects a long career built on perseverance.
Tom Kennedy Career Wins
Tom Kennedy’s professional resume is measured less in win totals and more in longevity and reliability across two professional leagues. From his time with the Boston Cannons in Major League Lacrosse to his repeated practice squad promotions with the Detroit Lions, he has remained ready to contribute when called upon.
NFL Highlights
Kennedy’s most notable NFL win came on January 9, 2022, when the Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers 37-30 and he recorded his first career touchdown on a 75-yard trick play pass. Beyond that signature game, his career with the Lions has been built on steady contributions on offense and special teams whenever injuries opened a roster spot.
Other Wins and Performances
As a member of the Boston Cannons during the 2018 Major League Lacrosse season, Kennedy appeared in six professional lacrosse games before transitioning fully back to football. His college honors, including first-team All-NEC recognition in both football and lacrosse, remain the cornerstone accolades of his playing career.
Tom Kennedy Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Tom Kennedy’s parents and extended family are not publicly documented in verified sources. His background is rooted in Farmingdale, New York, where he grew up and developed into a multi-sport athlete.
Personal Life
Tom Kennedy keeps his personal life largely private, and there are no widely reported details about a spouse, partner, or children. Outside of football and lacrosse, he has maintained a low public profile while continuing his professional career with the Detroit Lions.
2025 Season Performance
Tom Kennedy entered 2025 with the Detroit Lions on a reserve/future contract signed on January 20, 2025. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and quickly re-signed to the practice squad, continuing his long association with the organization.
On November 26, 2025, Kennedy was promoted back to the Detroit Lions’ active roster, returning to a receivers room that has continued to rely on him as a depth option and special teams contributor. His path through the 2025 season reflected the same pattern that has defined his professional career: practice squad readiness, steady performance when promoted, and consistent trust from the Lions’ coaching staff.
Looking ahead, Kennedy’s role in Detroit remains tied to special teams duties and emergency depth at wide receiver, with the Lions once again using his versatility as a valuable part of their roster strategy. His continued presence on reserve/future deals suggests the organization views him as a reliable option to draw upon throughout the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond.