Learn more about running back Kenneth Gainwell in this edition of Five Fast Facts.
Gainwell signed a one-year contract at the start of free agency. He was initially drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft as the 150th overall pick and spent four seasons with them.
The Steelers faced Gainwell during a Week 15 matchup against the Eagles in 2024. In that game, he rushed for 20 yards on seven carries, had three receptions for 40 yards, and accumulated 63 kickoff return yards, totaling 123 all-purpose yards.
Gainwell played college football at Memphis alongside Steelers receiver Calvin Austin III. During his time there, he appeared in 18 games, starting in 14, and amassed 2,212 yards from scrimmage. This included 1,550 rushing yards and 662 receiving yards with a total of 17 touchdowns. In 2019, he helped lead Memphis to an AAC Championship with an FBS-leading performance of 2,069 all-purpose yards and ranked nationally with his rushing yardage. He became the third player in Memphis history to achieve over 2,000 all-purpose yards but opted out of his final college season due to family losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gainwell’s cousin is former Eagles legend Fletcher Cox.
His brother Curtis serves as an inspiration after surviving a hemorrhagic stroke at age 18 which required multiple surgeries. Curtis’s recovery motivated Gainwell who supports the Pediatric Stroke program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia through My Cause, My Cleats.
Gainwell recently married his wife Jada just days before signing with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent. He also celebrated his birthday shortly thereafter.
