Houston, Kenneth R.
Football
b. Nov. 12, 1944, Lufkin, TX
A linebacker at Prairie View A & M in Texas, Houston became a strong safety when he joined the American Football League's Houston Oilers as a ninth-round draft choice in 1967. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Houston was a natural for the position. He had the speed to be an excellent pass defender and the strength to support the run defense.
In his third game as a starter, against the New York Jets, he scored two touchdowns, one on a 43-yard interception return and the other on a 45-yard run with a blocked field goal attempt. He went on to set a professional record by returning 9 interceptions for touchdowns.
Houston, who once said that he originally started playing football in high school because the football players had all the girl friends, was traded to the Washington Redskins after the 1972 season. He retired after becoming a backup player in 1980.
He was named to the American Football Conference All-Pro team in 1971 and to the National Football Conference squad from 1974 through 1977. In 14 professional seasons, he returned 49 interceptions for 898 yards, an 18.3 average, and 9 touchdowns. He also returned 51 punts for 333 yards, a 6.5 average, and 1 touchdown.