Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1950 to 1960), he played at the halfback and flanker positions in the National, Canadian and American Football Leagues with the Cleveland Browns, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Denver Broncos. Born Kenneth Leroy Carpenter, he attended Seaside High School (Oregon), and following graduation served with the US Navy during World War II. Upon his return home, he attended Oregon State University and was selected by the Browns during the 1st round of the 1950 NFL Draft. While a rookie Carpenter enjoyed a championship season, as Cleveland won the 1950 NFL Title; he followed this accomplishment with Pro-Bowl honors in 1951. From 1954 to 1959, he played with Saskatchewan of the CFL (also serving as head coach 1960), before concluding his playing career with the Broncos during their inaugural season in the newly formed American Football League in 1960. Following a stint on the Washington Redskins' coaching staff, Carpenter served as director of recreation with the Indiana Department of Corrections. In 49 career NFL and AFL games, he rushed for 1,199 yards with 11 touchdowns and recorded 71 receptions for 6 touchdowns. In addition he served as an effective special teams player, as he amassed 895 kickoff return yards with a better-than 20 yard average three consecutive years (1951 with 21.8, 1952 with 21.3 and 1953 with 22.9).
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1950 to 1960), he played at the halfback and flanker positions in the National, Canadian and American Football Leagues with the Cleveland Browns, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Denver Broncos. Born Kenneth Leroy Carpenter, he attended Seaside High School (Oregon), and following graduation served with the US Navy during World War II. Upon his return home, he attended Oregon State University and was selected by the Browns during the 1st round of the 1950 NFL Draft. While a rookie Carpenter enjoyed a championship season, as Cleveland won the 1950 NFL Title; he followed this accomplishment with Pro-Bowl honors in 1951. From 1954 to 1959, he played with Saskatchewan of the CFL (also serving as head coach 1960), before concluding his playing career with the Broncos during their inaugural season in the newly formed American Football League in 1960. Following a stint on the Washington Redskins' coaching staff, Carpenter served as director of recreation with the Indiana Department of Corrections. In 49 career NFL and AFL games, he rushed for 1,199 yards with 11 touchdowns and recorded 71 receptions for 6 touchdowns. In addition he served as an effective special teams player, as he amassed 895 kickoff return yards with a better-than 20 yard average three consecutive years (1951 with 21.8, 1952 with 21.3 and 1953 with 22.9).
Bio by: C.S.
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