University of Missouri Athletics

A center/linebacker from Higginsville, Missouri, Jenkins starred on Missouri’s football teams in 1940 and ‘41. He was all-Big Six Conference both years, and as a senior, served as team captain and won all-America honors on Don Faurot’s 1941 Sugar Bowl team. He was named to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1971. During World War II, Jenkins served as a bomber pilot. He was shot down on his 27th mission and spent 17 months in a German POW camp. His number-42 is retired.