Ken Keller (American football) explained

Position:Running back
Birth Date:12 September 1934
Birth Place:Salina, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lbs:180
College:North Carolina
Draftyear:1956
Draftround:11
Draftpick:126
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Rushing yards
Statvalue1:628
Statlabel2:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue2:4
Statlabel3:Receptions
Statvalue3:11
Statlabel4:Receiving yards
Statvalue4:67
Statlabel5:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue5:1
Pfr:K/KellKe20

Kenneth Ray Keller (September 12, 1934 – December 10, 1997) was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: George Guido: 75 years ago, a small A-K Valley school got a big win. George. Guido. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. June 5, 2018. May 16, 2020.
  2. Book: Powell, Adam. University of North Carolina Football. Arcadia Publishing. 43. 9780738542881. 2006.
  3. Book: The USA TODAY College Football Encyclopedia 2009-2010. Bob. Boyles. Paul. Guido. Skyhorse. 1,124. 2009. May 16, 2020. 9781602396777.
  4. Web site: Four Year Vet, Ken Keller, Meets Duke for Last Time. Billy. Johnson. The Daily Tar Heel. DigitalNC.org. December 3, 1955. May 17, 2020.
  5. Web site: Baseballers Drop Fourth Conference Game. Dick. Barkley. The Daily Tar Heel. DigitalNC.org. April 25, 1954. May 17, 2020.
  6. Web site: Ken Keller Stats. Pro-Football-Stats.com. May 17, 2020.
  7. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=yV7lvstPuqgC&q=ken+keller+&pg=PA266. The Eagles Encyclopedia. Ray. Didinger. Robert S.. Lyons. Appendix A:Year-by-Year Highlights. 266. Temple University Press. 2005. 9781592134540.