John Kuhn
A walk-on who became a Wisconsin folk hero, his name a thunderous chant celebrating blue-collar football excellence.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American football player·Birthday: September 9·Millennials
Biography
John Kuhn's path to the NFL was improbable, a Division II prospect from Shippensburg who had to claw his way onto a roster as an undrafted free agent. He found his destiny not with the Steelers, where he earned his first Super Bowl ring largely on special teams, but in Green Bay. In the Packers' storied offense, the fullback position was supposed to be an anachronism. Kuhn redefined it. He became Aaron Rodgers's most trusted protector, a short-yardage hammer, and a versatile outlet receiver. Lambeau Field would erupt in a guttural, elongated 'Kuuuuuhn' every time he touched the ball, a sound that honored his effort. His three Pro Bowl selections were a nod to a dying art, proving that will and intelligence could carve out a decade-long career and a permanent place in the hearts of football's most passionate fans.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
John was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Super Bowl championships with two different franchises: the Pittsburgh Steelers (XL) and the Green Bay Packers (XLV).
- Selected to the Pro Bowl three consecutive times from 2011 to 2013 as a Green Bay Packer.
- Scored 26 total touchdowns (22 rushing, 4 receiving) over his 11-season NFL career.
Did You Know?
The 'Kuuuuuhn' chant from Packers fans became one of the most distinctive sounds in NFL stadiums.
He scored a touchdown in the Packers' victory in Super Bowl XLV.
Kuhn was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy while playing at Division II Shippensburg University.
“My job is to get that one yard when everyone in the stadium knows it's coming.”
