Kevin Robert Kaesviharn (born August 29, 1976 in Paramount, California), is a safety with the National Football League's Cincinnati Bengals. Kevin is of Thai descent, his father having been born in Thailand.[1] At 6'-1" and 200 pounds he can play both free safety and strong safety, as well as cornerback. He is one of the Bengals' team captains. His fan-given nickname is "Keanu" for his resemblance to actor Keanu Reeves. He was working as an Algebra teacher after graduation when he decided to become a professional football player, starting out as an Arena Football player. His first taste of the NFL was a two-day stint with the Green Bay Packers in 2001. Almost a month later, the Bengals signed him.
He signed with the Bengals as a free agent in 2001 after playing one year for the XFL's San Francisco Demons and two years with the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers (now the New York Dragons) where he was a teammate of current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who emerged from obscurity to lead the St. Louis Rams to a championship in Super Bowl XXXIV over the Tennessee Titans. As a Barnstormer, Kaesviharn recorded 133 tackles, 15 interceptions,19 pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and caught six passes for 93 yards as a wide receiver. He was also named to the All-Arena First Team as a defensive specialist, and in his second year, became only the third player in AFL history to record 100 tackles in a season and set a team record with ten interceptions.
At Lakeville High School in Lakeville, Minnesota, Kevin Kaesviharn lettered in football, track, soccer, and basketball. He graduated in 1994. Kaesviharn attended college at Augustana College (South Dakota), an NCAA Division II school and was a three year starter on the Vikings' squad. He finished his collegiate career with 167 tackles, six interceptions, and 34 passes defensed. After his senior season, he played in the NCAA Division II All-Star game.