Rick Kestner
Rick Kestner was another great football player at Belfry High School. The combination of Floyd Hatfield at quarterback and Kestner at receiver was one of the best of the time in 1961. Hatfield set the state record at the time with 26 touchdown passes in 1961 and 16 of those were caught by Kestner. Kestner scored 242 career points at Belfry, at that time it was a record (and may still stand).
Kestner played college football at the University of Kentucky from 1963-65. He is one of the most prolific pass catchers in UK history, making All-SEC in 1964 and 1965.
He also made the All-SEC academic team in 1964.
Rick was picked on the 1965 Playboy All-American team that came out in the preseason based on his 1964 junior year. In that season he had 42 receptions for 639 yards and six touchdowns.
One game that year was an eye-opener. Ole miss was number one and had been ranked at or near the top for 10-15 years. But the Rick (quarterback Rick Norton) to Rick (Kestner) combination proved more than the rebels could withstand. The Wildcats overcame a couple of deficits in the second half to win over the #1 ranked Rebels, 27-21. Kestner caught nine passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns in that game. He finished the 1964 season with 42 receptions, a record at UK.
After college Rick Kestner was drafted by the NFL Baltimore Colts, where he spent the 1966-67 season and later spent 1967-78 with the Miami Dolphins.
The University of Kentucky retired Rick Kestner’s jersey.
Kestner passed away in September, 2009.
