[6] Kearns was selected in the eighth round of the 1942 NFL draft by the New York Giants.

He joined the team in 1945 after serving in the US Navy during World War II, replacing Len Younce who had recently been inducted into the military.

[7] He was originally signed by the Miami Seahawks of the All-America Football Conference for the 1946 season, but only participated in the team's training camp.

[9] After his football career ended, Kearns ran several businesses, including being the director of Barnett Bank.

He also served as the chair of several community organizations, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Broward County.