Ken Carpenter (February 26, 1926 – January 28, 2011) had one of the more memorable pro careers of any Oregonian, playing in three different football leagues after graduating from Oregon State. He also found a satisfying second career in coaching.
A native of Seaside, Carpenter grew to be 6-foot, 195 pounds and was recruited by Lon Stiner to Oregon State College after serving in the US Navy during World War II. Ken played halfback and defensive back from 1946-49 at Oregon State. He set the Beaver record at the with for 3,903 career all-purpose yards. Carpenter's senior year was the first under new head coach Kip Taylor. Oregon State finished 7-3, ending on a four-game winning streak. Ken was selected for the East-West Shrine and College All-Star games.
Carpenter was the first-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1950, the team’s first season in the NFL. The Browns were an instant success, advancing to the championship game four times in a row. Carpenter made a splash in 1951, rushing for 118 yards per game. He was selected for the Pro Bowl that year.
Carpenter then played six seasons in the Western Interprovincial Football Union/Canadian Football League for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played end position but showed as a run-catch threat, winning All-Star honors and MVP of the West. Injuries slowed his career; Ken became head coach of the Riders for one season before deciding to take one more shot at playing.
Pro league #3 would be the brand-new AFL in 1960. Carpenter showed up in Denver as a coaching candidate but ended up playing a partial season, catching 29 passes for 350 yards.
He turned to coaching after that, mostly with minor league teams and one year with the Washington Redskins. Carpenter later became director of recreation for the State of Indiana, helping prison inmates remain active and prepare for their return to society.
Ken Carpenter loved being called "Coach". He was inducted to the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.