Ken Strong

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Ken Strong
Date of birth	April 21, 1906
Place of birth	West Haven, CT
Date of death	October 5, 1979
Place of death	New York, New York
Position(s)	Halfback Quarterback Kicker/Punter
College	New York
Career Highlights
Honors	NFL 1930s All-Decade Team
Retired #s	New York Giants #50
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1929-1932 1933-1935 1936-1937 1939 1944-1947	Staten Island Stapletons New York Giants New York Yankees (AFL) New York Giants New York Giants
College Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1967

Elmer Kenneth Strong (April 21, 1906 - October 5, 1979) was an outstanding college and professional American football player. After a record shattering college career as multi-year All American at New York University he went on to play professional football. As a halfback with a 14-year career he played from 1929-1937, 1939, (interrupted by war service) 1944-1947. He played for the Staten Island Stapletons (which merged after his first year with the New York Giants, both of the National Football League, and the New York Yankees of the American Football League.

As a starring halfback Ken Strong's most publicized performance came in the 1934 National Football League Championship Game. In that now historic game, Strong contributed 17 points on two touchdowns, two extra points and a field goal to lead the New York Giants to a 30-13 victory over the previously unbeaten Chicago Bears for the title.

For almost 30 years, Strong's 17-point performance stood as an NFL title game record. Strong could do everything – run, block, pass, catch passes, punt, placekick, and play defense with the very best. His performance, personality and stardom helped bring even greater attention to the NFL in the first golden age of professional football.

Strong was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame and the New York University Hall of Fame and the New York University Athletic Hall of Fame. The football stadium at West Haven High School in Strong's native hometown of West Haven, Connecticut is named Ken Strong Stadium in his honor.

Along with his football career, Strong also played professional baseball. In 1931, he was the top hitter on the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League with a .340 batting average.