I AM TEXAS: Ken Houston

The Texas Story Project.

Ken Houston was born in Lufkin, Texas, in 1944. A two-sport athlete at Dunbar High School, Houston played college ball at Prairie View A&M as a defensive back. In 1967, the Houston Oilers drafted Houston as a strong safety in the 9th round. By his third game as a rookie, he was a starter.

Houston played for the Oilers until 1973 when he was traded to the Washington Redskins, retiring as a player in 1980. In 196 games during his 14-season pro career, Houston grabbed interceptions, threw tackles, broke records, played in 12 straight All-Pro or Pro Bowls, and helped define how the position of safety was played.

In this Texas Story Project video, Ken Houston reflects on his Pro Football Hall of Fame career.

 

Editor's note: This story was produced by the Bullock Museum for the Texas Story Project. All still images are courtesy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

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