.jpg) Rouse,c. 1927 | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| Personal information | |
| Born | (1906-08-22)August 22, 1906 Hamilton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | August 6, 1958(1958-08-06) (aged 51) Winnetka, Illinois, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | University of Chicago |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Kenneth Allen Rouse (August 22, 1906 – August 6, 1958) was an Americanfootball player. He played at center for theChicago Maroons from 1925 to 1927 and won theChicago Tribune Silver Football as the most valuable player in theBig Ten Conference in 1927.
Rouse was born in 1906 inHamilton, Ohio. He attendedLindblom High School inChicago. 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]
Rouse enrolled at theUniversity of Chicago in the fall of 1924. He played at thecenter position for the freshman football team in 1924 and forAmos Alonzo Stagg'sChicago Maroons football team from 1925 to 1927. He played almost every minute of every game in 1926 and was selected as captain of the1927 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 1927Chicago Tribune Silver Football trophy as the most valuable player in theBig Ten Conference.[3][4][5] He was also a unanimous pick for the1927 All-Big Ten Conference football team.[6][7][8][9]
Rouse and his wife, the former Helen King (1907-1993), had a daughter, Joanne (born 1932).[10] He later lived inWinnetka, Illinois, and worked forA. B. Dick Company as the vice president in charge of personnel and public relations.[11]