Knox College Athletics

Kris Nelson was a four-year letter winner for the football team that helped lead his team to three straight winning seasons and three straight victories over rival Monmouth. He also lettered one year in wrestling. He graduated in 1998 with a B.A. in Economics.

Nelson was a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American, National Scholar Athlete, and first team All-Midwest Conference selection  in 1997. He is one of the best offensive linemen in school history, allowing just one sack in 27 games and helping the team set several offensive records. Nelson was a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree and the Most Improved wrestler in 1998.

The Knox football team finished with three straight winning seasons and a 17-10 record with Nelson as a starting offensive lineman. The team set several offensive records in his time on the line, including passing and rushing records as well as 3rd and 4th down conversion rate. He also graduated holding six Knox strength records, including bench press, incline bench press, squat, and power clean.

“Kris was blessed with good athletic ability and possessed a great work ethic,” said former head football coach Andy Gibbons. “He was a leader and one of the strongest players we have ever had at Knox. However, what made Kris special was his unbelievable desire to win and it was that desire that drove him to play as hard as anyone I have coached. In his mind, we were always in the game whether we were way up or way down.”

After graduation from Knox, Nelson went on to play professionally in Spain for the Pioners de L’Hospitalet. He also played for the Palos/Orland Force Semiprofessional Football Team. He later graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and now works as the Chief Legal Officer for a real estate company in Miami.