Ken Keller (American football)

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Ken Keller
Ken Keller 1958.png
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born:(1934-09-12)September 12, 1934
Salina, Pennsylvania
Died:December 10, 1997(1997-12-10) (aged 63)
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
College:North Carolina
NFL Draft:1956 / Round: 11 / Pick: 126
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:628
Rushing touchdowns:4
Receptions:11
Receiving yards:67
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Kenneth Ray Keller (September 12, 1934 – December 10, 1997) was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League for two seasons. He played college football at North Carolina.

Early life[]

Keller was born and grew up in Salina, Pennsylvania, and attended Bell Township High School, where he was part of a football team that won 28 straight games from 1948 to 1951.[1]

College career[]

Keller was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels football team for four seasons. In football he played running back, defensive back, placekicker and was a return specialist. Keller led the team in total offense in 1953 and 1955 and in scoring for three straight seasons.[2][3] He finished his collegiate career with over 2,000 all-purpose yards and over 100 total points scored.[4] Keller was also a starting outfielder for the baseball team.[5]

Professional career[]

Keller was drafted in the 11th round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.[6] Keller served as the Eagles' starting running back as a rookie and led the team with 433 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He tore ligaments in his knee in the second-to-last game of the season against the Washington Redskins.[7] Keller rushed for 195 yards on 43 carries in a reduced role in 1957.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Guido, George (June 5, 2018). "George Guido: 75 years ago, a small A-K Valley school got a big win". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  2. ^ Powell, Adam (2006). University of North Carolina Football. Arcadia Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 9780738542881.
  3. ^ Boyles, Bob; Guido, Paul (2009). The USA TODAY College Football Encyclopedia 2009-2010. Skyhorse. p. 1,124. ISBN 9781602396777. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  4. ^ Johnson, Billy (December 3, 1955). "Four Year Vet, Ken Keller, Meets Duke for Last Time". The Daily Tar Heel. DigitalNC.org. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  5. ^ Barkley, Dick (April 25, 1954). "Baseballers Drop Fourth Conference Game". The Daily Tar Heel. DigitalNC.org. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Ken Keller Stats". Pro-Football-Stats.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Didinger, Ray; Lyons, Robert S. (2005). "Appendix A:Year-by-Year Highlights". The Eagles Encyclopedia. Temple University Press. p. 266. ISBN 9781592134540.
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