Ken Rouse
Rouse, c. 1927
Born:(1906-08-22)August 22, 1906
Hamilton, Ohio
Died:August 6, 1958(1958-08-06) (aged 51)
Winnetka, Illinois
Career information
Position(s)Center
CollegeUniversity of Chicago
Career highlights and awards

Kenneth Allen Rouse (August 22, 1906 – August 6, 1958) was an American football player. He played at center for the Chicago Maroons from 1925 to 1927 and won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference in 1927.

Early years

Rouse was born in 1906 in Hamilton, Ohio. He attended Lindblom High School in Chicago. He played football at Lindblom first at the halfback position and then at center. He was selected as an "All Cook County" player as a senior. He was also editor of the school newspaper, held the rank of major and student head of the Lindblom R.O.T.C., received recognition as the best rifle shot in the school, was chosen "most popular boy in school", and starred as an actor in several high school plays.[1]

University of Chicago

Rouse enrolled at the University of Chicago in the fall of 1924. He played at the center position for the freshman football team in 1924 and for Amos Alonzo Stagg's Chicago Maroons football team from 1925 to 1927. He played almost every minute of every game in 1926 and was selected as captain of the 1927 Chicago Maroons football team. Against Purdue in 1927, he blocked an extra point to secure Chicago's victory. Rouse later described the block as his greatest football thrill, noting: "I think no one has ever had more pleasure in having a football kicked into the pit of his stomach than I had at that moment."[2] At the end of the 1927 season, he won the 1927 Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.[3][4][5] He was also a unanimous pick for the 1927 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[6][7][8][9]

Later years

Rouse and his wife, the former Helen King (1907-1993), had a daughter, Joanne (born 1932).[10] He later lived in Winnetka, Illinois, and worked for A. B. Dick Company as the vice president in charge of personnel and public relations.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Star in Classroom". Chicago Tribune. December 18, 1927. p. II-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Kenneth Rouse (November 1, 1932). "My Greatest Thrill in Football". Chicago Tribune. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Harvey Woodruff (December 18, 1927). "Rouse Wins Tribune Football Trophy: Named Big Ten Player of Most Value to Team; Joesting Is Second Choice". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. II-1.
  4. ^ "City Honors Chicago Eleven". Reading Eagle. February 13, 1928.
  5. ^ "Silver Footall". Chicago Tribune. January 15, 1928. p. II-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Big Ten Grid Coaches Choose All-Conference Mythical Elevens". Daily Illini. November 24, 1927.
  7. ^ "Illinois Players Receive Share of 'All' Team Honors". Daily Illini. November 24, 1927.
  8. ^ "Two Illini, Reitsch, Timm, On United Press All Star Conference Eleven". The Daily Independent, Murphysboro Illinois. November 23, 1927. p. 4.
  9. ^ "Eckersall's All-Conference Elevens". Detroit Free Press. November 27, 1927. p. 18.
  10. ^ "Football Star Places Third in Police Exam: Ken Rouse Realizes a Six Year Ambition". Chicago Tribune. November 20, 1932. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Kenneth Rouse Named U. of C. Fund Drive Aid". Chicago Tribune. October 10, 1955. p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.
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