Ken Strong: The All-Around Football Legend Who Dominated The NFL's Early Days
Discover the powerful legacy of Ken Strong, a Hall of Fame NFL star known for his incredible skills as a runner, kicker, and game-changer during football’s early years. Learn how he became a true icon of the sport.
Jul 23, 202544.2K Shares670.6K Views
Ken Strong stood out in football history as one of the game’s most versatile players, able to run, catch, pass, kick, punt, and defend with equal skill. Born in West Haven, Connecticut, in 1906, he made his mark at New York University, leading the nation in scoring in 1928 with 162 points and more than 2,000 rushing yards. After college, he joined the NFL in 1929 where he starred for the Staten Island Stapletons and, more famously, the New York Giants. His unforgettable 17-point effort in the icy 1934 Championship Game helped secure the Giants’ title and cemented his legend. Over a 14-year career, Strong scored nearly 500 points and earned All‑Pro honors multiple times, leading to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Early Life
Ken Strongwas born in 1906 in the Savin Rock area of West Haven, Connecticut, the son of Elmer F. Strong, who worked as a local egg and dairy inspector. He went to West Haven High School, where he was a top athlete in both football and baseball and earned state‑wide praise for his play.
After high school, Ken attended New York University (NYU) from 1926 to 1928, lettering all three years in college sports. In his senior year of 1928, he scored 162 points, racked up over 2,000 rushing yards, and became a consensus first‑team All‑American.
Professional Sports
Ken Strong began his pro football career in 1929 with the Staten Island Stapletons. He played there until 1932, and during that time he earned Top‑Pro honors in 1930 and 1931 for his outstanding play.
In 1933 he joined the New York Giants. Over the next five seasons (1933–35), he helped lead them to the 1934 NFL Championship in the famous “Sneakers Game.” In that game he scored two rushing touchdowns, one field goal, and two extra points to contribute 17 points in cold conditions on iced turf.
Strong left the Giants in 1936 due to a pay dispute and signed with the New York Yankees in the rival American Football League, playing in 1936 and 1937. After a year away in 1938, he returned to the Giants in 1939 as a kicker and occasional ball‑carrier.
During World War II, the Giants asked Strong to return as a kicking specialist. From 1944 to 1947 he played without shoulder pads, wearing a wristwatch on the field. He led the league in field goal percentage in 1944 and continued kicking through his retirement at age 41.
Over his 12 NFL seasons, Strong scored 484 career points. He earned first‑team All‑NFL honors four times (1930, 1931, 1933, 1934). At retirement, he held the Giants’ record in team scoring with 324 points.
His career totals include 24 rushing touchdowns, 7 receiving touchdowns, 2 punt return touchdowns, and 1 interception return touchdown. He also made 38 field goals and kicked 175 extra points.
Strong was known for being great at nearly every part of the game—running, passing, catching, blocking, punting, kicking, and playing defense. He is widely praised by experts as one of the most complete football athletes ever.
After retiring, Strong helped coach kickers for the Giants from 1962 to 1965. During those four seasons, the team went 32–22–2 under his guidance in the kicking game.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. The Giants retired his jersey number 50, and he was named to the NFL 1930s All‑Decade Team and the Giants Ring of Honor.
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