Kenny Houston excelled as the premier free safety of his
era in a 14-year span that began with the 1967 Houston Oilers,
who drafted him in the ninth round of the AFL-NFL draft. He
earned a starter’s role by the third game of his rookie
season. Two weeks later, in a game against the New York Jets,
he scored two touchdowns, one on a 71-yard blocked field goal
attempt, and the other on a 43-yard interception return.
After
excelling for six years with the Oilers, Ken was traded to
the Redskins for five veteran players in 1973. The Redskins
once referred to Houston as "pro football's most underrated
superstar," but his capabilities were widely recognized.
He won all-league acclaim with the Oilers in 1969 and 1971,
and then was either All-Pro or All-NFC with the Redskins every
year from 1973 to 1979.
He was selected for either the AFL All-Star
game or the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl 12 straight seasons from 1968
through 1979. With a
long, fluid stride, he had excellent speed and quickness. His
6-foot 3-inch, 197-pound frame made him an ideal pass defender.
Yet his lean, muscular body helped him to become a punishing
tackler.
Once
he got his hands on the ball, he was a talented runner. Even
before he finished his tenure with the Oilers, Houston
had assured himself of a spot in the NFL record book by returning
nine interceptions for touchdowns. He also tied two other records
with four TDs on steals in one season and two interception
touchdowns in a single game. Altogether, he stole 49 passes
and returned them 898 yards. He also recovered 21 fumbles and
scored 12 touchdowns, nine on interceptions and one each on
a punt return, a fumble return and a blocked field goal return.
