Wednesday, October 17th, 2007...1:04 am
The KB Samurai Kidnappers
That is the name of my lousy fantasy football team. I thought this year would be different as I had the #1 pick in our draft and could finally get my boy LaDanian. But it’s not. I lost last weekend to fall to 2-4 this season. I readily admit that I stink at fantasy football and don’t have grounds to say much when the smack talk escalates on the league message board. But in a post today Fantasy Matt questioned my team name. I admit it is a bit cryptic and I’m glad I have this blog as a platform to explain.
For years I’ve been trying to find a way to share the exploits of Kenny Brunner with the world. This year I suggested that all fantasy team names this season must be inspired by convicted felon/athletes. P did a nice job with Incinerator’s Flame of Vengeance in honor of Ugueth Urbina who lit his farmworkers on fire. Neal Bones took the solid approach with Najeh Davenport Took a Dump in my Closet. You can read about that one in this article.
While Kenny Brunner may not be the most infamous or high profile convict in our league he most definitely has had the most glorious journey throughout his playing career.
Coming out of Dominguez High School, Brunner was one of the most highly touted point guards in the nation. He decided to take his skills east to Georgetown. Despite leading the team in scoring, assists and steals, Brunner only lasted one season. There simply wasn’t enough action for him in DC.
Brunner decided to take his game back west to play for the Tark at Fresno State. He never did see the court though. One night Brunner and a teammate were drinking at an off-campus apartment with 22-year-old acquaintance Colin DeForrest. An argument ensued over a TV program, and Brunner allegedly brandished a handgun and activated the chamber as if to put a round in it. Brunner began to wave the gun around in a threatening manner and put it in DeForrest’s face. When Brunner was told the gun was loaded, he put the gun down, only to take out samurai swords. DeForrest initially thought the players were joking, but he quickly became concerned when they pulled out “what were described as samurai swords,” according the detective on the case. Brunner then allegedly slapped DeForrest with the flat side of the swords on his torso and legs, and also scratched him with the front and back of the sword, leaving welts, abrasions, scratches and lacerations on DeForrest’s legs and torso. At this point, DeForrest attempted to leave the apartment with his backpack. But Brunner removed a camera and money from his bag.
While the sword charges dangled over his head, so to speak, Brunner returned to LA. Soon after, Brunner and another assailant were accused of threatening to kill LA Community College Coach Mike Miller. Brunner was charged with various felonies. He allegedly also robbed Miller while pointing a gun at his chest and firing. The gun misfired. Brunner was incarcerated for 5 months in the LA County Jail.
Brunner tried to get his college career back on track and journeyed to Southern Idaho Community College. Shortly after joining the team he led a team boycott that led to a suspension.
Amazingly, Brunner surfaced a year later when coaching legend Jim Harrick offered him an opportunity to play at Georgia. Once Georgia school president Michael Adams found out that Brunner has more weapons than than North Korea he denied his admission.
Brunner now plays streetball on the And1 tour. He is known as “Bad Santa” and the website reports that he is “hated by many, loved by few, feared by most”.
Below is a recent interview with Brunner. Hopefully, those unaware of Brunner’s plight will now be very aware. I sure bet Nate Newton and his fat, pot-smoking ass are going to keep their distance from Bad Santa this Christmas.
