| Bob Jenkins | |
| Birth Date: | 16 August 1923 |
| Birth Place: | Talladega, Alabama, U.S. |
| Position1: | Halfback |
| Height Ft: | 6 |
| Height In: | 1 |
| Weight Lb: | 195 |
| College: | Navy |
| High School: | Talladega High School |
| Playing Years1: | 1942 |
| Playing Team1: | Alabama |
| Playing Years2: | 1943–1945 |
| Playing Team2: | Navy |
| Career Highlights: |
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Robert Thomas "Trigger Tom" Jenkins (August 16, 1923 – November 23, 2001) was an American football halfback at University of Alabama and the United States Naval Academy. While at Navy he was a consensus All-American in 1944
Jenkins was born in Talladega, Alabama on August 16, 1923 to William Thomas Jenkins and Pauline Odessa West Jenkins.[1] [2] He attended Talladega High School graduating as valedictorian in 1941. A gifted athlete Jenkins played high school football earning All-State and All-Southern in 1939 and 1940.[1] [3] During his final year he accounted for 24 touchdowns.
Jenkins lettered in football at the University of Alabama under coach Frank Thomas in 1942.[4] In 1943 he moved on to United States Naval Academy where he lettered in football during the 1943, 1944, and 1945 seasons.[5] In 1944, as a 6-foot 1-inch, 195-pound halfback, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, having received first-team honors from several publications and organizations including the United Press and Collier's Weekly (Grantland Rice).[6] The three other members of the 1944 consensus All-American backfield were Les Horvath, Doc Blanchard, and Glen Davis, who all won the Heisman Trophy in 1944, 1945, and 1946 respectively.[7] While at Navy the media heaped colorful praise of his playing ability by writing he was a “human dynamo,” “190 lbs fluid force,” and “the piston-legged personification of power.” A knee injury in 1945 ended his football playing career.[1] Jenkins was selected as the sixth pick in the 17th round (170th overall) by the Washington Redskins in the 1945 National Football League draft.[8]
Jenkins stayed in the Navy until he retired in 1950. He moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he was a businessman and civic leader.[1] In 1959, he founded machine tools business Birmingham called Modern Machinery Associates, Inc. He died on November 23, 2001.[1]