John Kimbrough, a two-way star for the 1939 national champion Texas A&M Aggies and the first Aggie player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, died Monday in Haskell, Texas, his hometown. He was 87.

A bruising, 6-2, 210-pound fullback, Kimbrough bowled his way through Southwest Conference defenses on his way to All-America honors in both 1939 and 1940. During those two years, the Aggies combined for a 20-1 overall record and captured the 1939 national championship following a victory over Tulane in the Sugar Bowl. Kimbrough spurred the Aggies to the 14-13 victory over Tulane by rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns on just 26 carries. In 1940, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting to Tom Harmon of Michigan. Kimbrough in fact captured the Southwest region of Heisman balloting in both 1939 and 1940.

In 1942, he starred in two Westerns, Sundown Jim and Lone Star Ranger.

Kimbrough earned induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954, the first Aggie star to receive such recognition, and later was joined in the Hall by his coach in College Station, Homer Norton, in 1971.

Following his playing days, he served in the Army during World War II, retiring with the rank of captain. He played professionally for three years and held a position within the Texas State Legislature for one term before becoming a rancher in Haskell. He is survived by two children, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.