(Feb. 26, 1926 – Jan. 28, 2011) Ken Carpenter had one of the more memorable pro careers of any Oregonian, playing in the NFL, the CFL and in the first year of the AFL.

Born in Seaside in 1926, Carpenter grew to be 6-foot, 195 pounds and played running back from 1946-49 at Oregon State, amassing 3,903 all-purpose yards. He impressed professional scouts enough to be selected No. 13 in the 1950 NFL Draft by Cleveland, and scored 17 touchdowns as a back, receiver and kick returner in four seasons with the Browns. He was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1951.

Carpenter then played six seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders before being signed by the Denver Broncos in time for the inaugural season of the American Football League in 1960. He caught 29 passes in six games before retiring. He was named an NFL Pro Bowler in 1951.

Carpenter was inducted to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.