‘Miracle’ Keenum still has the drive
Former UH standout continues to prove naysayers wrong
The NFL path traveled by quarterback Case Keenum hasn’t been as direct as the game-winning touchdown pass he lobbed to Stefon Diggs to give the Minnesota Vikings a dramatic postseason victory over the New Orleans Saints.
As incredible as the “Minneapolis Miracle” was — Keenum to Diggs for a 61-yard touchdown as safety Marcus Williams missed an open-field tackle in an NFC playoff game on Jan. 14, 2018 — Keenum’s staying power and attitude have been just as remarkable.
Heading into his ninth NFL season, the former University of Houston standout doesn’t forget the naysayers. Keenum once wrote in his book that Texans coach Bill O’Brien told him he would never rise above third
string status, something O’Brien said he didn’t remember saying.
Regardless, Keenum is still grinding. The 32-yearold former Texans undrafted rookie free agent is routinely the first to arrive and last to leave NFL training facilities. The son of former McMurry University football coach and athletic director Steve Keenum was signed this offseason to a three-year, $18 million contract that included $10 million guaranteed to back up Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“I may have surprised a lot of people with how many years I’ve gone in the league, especially those that said I would never make it,” Keenum said during a recent workout with Dr. Minh Luu and trainer and former NFL fullback Keith “Thump” Belton at Ollin Athletics and Sports Medicine in Cypress. “I wouldn’t say it surprised me, but there have been some moments that have surprised me. I wouldn’t say it drives me all the time. I’ve been more out to prove people right that are in my corner rather than prove people wrong that are doubters.”
The touchdown to Diggs is something Keenum cherishes, but it ranks fourth on his all-time personal list behind his deep Christian faith, his marriage to Kimberly, and being a dad for the first time. Son Kyler is 7 months old.
“Obviously, the ‘Miracle’ play will go down in history as one of the most special plays,” Keenum said. “It was an incredible moment, a big part of my life, but it’s not the most important thing. It’s incredible (being a father). We’ve talked about how we’ve struggled for quite a few years to have children, and we got the blessing at the perfect time. We love him, and we’re so excited to be parents.”
Reunited with former Viking quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski, Keenum is looking forward to collaborating with the rookie head coach in Cleveland and providing a mentoring presence to Mayfield.
When Stefanski was coaching Keenum in 2017, he boosted the Vikings to an 11-3 run before they lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Keenum had eight games with a 100 or higher passer rating and tied a franchise record by going 10 games without throwing an interception.
“I’m really, really excited to play for coach (Stefanski). We obviously had a great run there in Minnesota,” Keenum said. “I thought our working relationship was great. I think I made a big jump to my game that year. I’m excited to be a part of what he’s doing as a head coach.
“I’ve been in just about every situation that you can do. I know what my role is: to help this team win. I think it’s going to be a great year for us, and I’m excited to be a part of what we’re doing.”
Leaving the Vikings as a free agent in 2018, Keenum started every game for the Denver Broncos that season after signing a two-year, $36 million contract. He passed for a career-high 3,890 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions on 62 percent accuracy, but the team struggled and finished 6-10. Keenum was traded to Washington last year.
For his career, Keenum has passed for 14,368 yards, 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions for an 85.3 passer rating.
“I think Case is somebody that’s seen it all and been through it all in his time as an NFL quarterback,” Stefanski said. “I’m really excited about bringing Case the person into this group. He’s the son of a football coach. He’s a grinder. He’s a gym rat, so I think he’ll fit perfectly into the mentality we’re trying to build.
“Case has been a backup in this league. He’s been a starter in this league. He understands as a backup how it’s your job to support the starter and be ready to play in a moment’s notice.”
Keenum has been to Austin to work out for a few days with Mayfield. He can’t wait to throw to wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.
“We have some great targets, one of the more talented receiver rooms and tight end rooms I’ve been a part of, and I’ve been a part of special ones,” Keenum said. “It’s cool.”
Keenum went 1-7 for a last-place Washington team last season. He completed 64.8 percent of his throws for 1,707 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions and produced a 91.3 passer rating.
Accustomed to adapting to new surroundings, Keenum has played for the Rams, Vikings, Broncos and Washington after being traded by the Texans to the Rams in 2015.
In 2013, Keenum began the season as the Texans’ third-string quarterback behind Matt Schaub and T.J. Yates. He wound up starting eight games when Schaub got hurt but lost all of them. Keenum passed for 1,760 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.
The following year, Keenum was cut when the Texans traded for troubleprone quarterback Ryan Mallett. He was later resigned by the Texans off the Rams’ practice squad and won consecutive starts over the Ravens and Jaguars.
Keenum has a prodigious work ethic and is constantly striving for self-improvement. He has been training with Luu, a UH alum, since his college days.
“Staying humble, he’s the same guy,” Luu said. “He’s still hungry and wants to go after it. His work ethic is great. He’s such a tough guy. Guys like that know what they’re supposed to do. We keep him healthy.”
During his workouts, Keenum emphasizes balance, mobility, flexibility and core strength. The 6-1, 215-pounder isn’t the biggest or fastest quarterback, but he is well-conditioned and strong. He benchpressed 225 pounds 18 times and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.82 seconds at the NFL scouting combine in 2012.
“Case has been outstanding,” said Belton, a former USC, Kansas and UNLV strength coach who played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions. “Every day, he shows up and says, ‘What do we got, boss?’ That’s a rarity for someone who’s been in the league that long to have that humility. He’s been amazing to work with.”
At UH, Keenum emerged as the all-time Football Championship Subdivision leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions. As a senior, he passed for 5,600 yards, 48 TDs and five interceptions as the Cougars went 12-1 and beat Penn State in a bowl. He finished with 19,217 yards and 155 TD passes.
“I’ve been on a lot of teams in the NFL, but it’s not quite the same as being a part of the Cougar family,” Keenum said. “I grew up at UH. I learned what it is to be a man of God, a person who contributes to society. I owe a lot to U of H and the people and relationships I formed there. I love representing Houston. It’s a big part of me anywhere I go.”