Ken Rice (American football) explained

Ken Rice
Number:75
Position:Offensive tackle
Guard
Birth Date:14 September 1939
Birth Place:Attapulgus, Georgia, U.S.
Death Place:Canton, Georgia, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lb:240
High School:Bainbridge
(Bainbridge, Georgia)
College:Auburn (1957–1960)
Draftyear:1961
Draftround:1
Draftpick:8
Afldraftyear:1961
Afldraftround:1
Afldraftpick:1
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statleague:AFL
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:79
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:58
Statlabel3:Fumble recoveries
Pfr:R/RiceKe00

Kenneth Earl Rice (September 14, 1939 – October 14, 2020) was an American football offensive tackle and guard who played in the American Football League (AFL) for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and the Miami Dolphins. Rice played college football for the Auburn Tigers, where he was named a two-time All-American. He was selected by the Bills with the first overall pick of the 1961 AFL draft.

Early years

Ken Rice was born in Attapulgus, Georgia on September 14, 1939, and moved to Bainbridge before high school. At Bainbridge High School, Rice played football, basketball, baseball, and took part in track and field. In track and field, Rice was a three-time state champion in shot put, a state champion in the discus throw and participated in relay races.[1]

Rice received offers from FSU, Tennessee and Georgia Tech. Eventually, Rice chose to attend Auburn.

College career

Rice attended Auburn University from 1957 to 1960, playing for the Tigers on both the offensive and defensive lines. As a sophomore in 1958, Rice was named to the SEC's All-Sophomore Team as the Tigers posted a 9–0–1 record. Rice was named an All-American in 1959 and was voted the best offensive lineman in the SEC. In his senior season, Rice was once again named an All-American and was once again voted the best offensive lineman in the SEC.[2] Rice was also voted the best defensive lineman in the conference that year.

In 1992, Rice was elected into Auburn's Team of the Century by fans. Rice also lent his name to the Ken Rice Award, an annual award given to the best offensive lineman at Auburn.

Professional career

Rice was drafted in the first round in both the 1961 NFL draft and the 1961 AFL draft.[3] Rice played for seven years for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and the Miami Dolphins, playing in 79 games total. In 1961 during his rookie season, he was selected to the 1961 AFL All-Star game. He was also named a second-team All-AFL lineman that season.[4]

In 1964, Rice was traded to the Oakland Raiders.[5] In 1966, the Miami Dolphins drafted Rice from the Raiders during the 1966 AFL Expansion Draft.[6] [7] Rice retired from football after the 1967 season due to a back injury.[8] He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.[9]

Personal life

Rice resided in Big Canoe, Georgia, where he had been involved in real estate development since the early 1970s.[10] [11] Rice met Billie Ann Perrin while attending Auburn and the two married on June 20, 1959. The couple purchased the summit of Mount Oglethorpe, the original southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, in 1995, and opened the summit to the public in 2014.[12] Billie Ann Rice died on June 7, 2014, at age 77.[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Murphy, Mark. Game of My Life Auburn Tigers: Memorable Stories of Tigers Football. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. 2011. . Chapter 19.
  2. http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/aub/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/2015-16/prospectus/prospectus.pdf Auburn Football 2015 Media Almanac
  3. Boyles, Bob. Guido, Paul. The USA Today College Football Encyclopedia. Skyhorse Publishing Inc. 2009. pp. 135.
  4. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RiceKe00.htm Ken Rice
  5. Shmelter, Richard. The Raiders Encyclopedia: All Players, Coaches, Games and More through 2009-2010. McFarland, Incorporated Publishers. 2011. pp. 222.
  6. "Dolphins Get 8 More in Draft." Associated Press. January 19, 1966.
  7. Nogle, Kevin. Miami Dolphins Historical Perspective Part 1 - 1965 and 1966. May 18, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  8. http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102210aab.html Former Auburn Player Ken Rice Named Walter Gilbert Award Recipient
  9. http://gshf.org/pdf_files/inductees/football/ken_rice.pdf Ken Rice
  10. http://www.bigcanoenews.com/living/91-temp/2396-a-legend-calls-big-canoe-home Accolades not new to Rice
  11. https://www.prweb.com/releases/ken_and_billie_ann_rice_of_waterford_mountain_properties_announces_the_designation_of_eagle_s_rest_as_a_public_park_in_pickens_county_georgia/prweb11721035.htm Ken and Billie Ann Rice of Waterford Mountain Properties Announces the Designation of Eagle’s Rest as a Public Park in Pickens County, Georgia
  12. Tidwell, Wayne. Eagle’s Rest Park atop Mt. Oglethorpe marks its second year. Big Canoe News. November 30, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. http://www.bigcanoenews.com/news/news-col1/big-canoe-obituaries/6078-billie-ann-rice In Memoriam - Billie Ann Perrin Rice