Kenneth David Farragut Jr. (December 23, 1928 – February 16, 2014) was an American football center. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ken Farragut
Farragut on a 1954 Bowman football card
Nickname(s)Dynamite
Born:(1928-12-23)December 23, 1928
Ponchatoula, Louisiana
Died:February 16, 2014(2014-02-16) (aged 85)
Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
Career information
Position(s)Center
CollegeMississippi
NFL draft1951, round: 6, pick: 68
Career history
As player
1951–1954Philadelphia Eagles
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowls1 (1953)
Career stats

High school years

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Born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, Farragut moved with his family to Moss Point, Mississippi, where he became a star center and linebacker for his high school team and their coach, Tom Swayze. The team went undefeated in 1945, with Farragut as captain. As a senior in 1946, he earned all-state honors. When Swayze took an assistant coaching job at the University of Mississippi in 1947, Farragut followed him, becoming one of coach Johnny Vaught's first recruits.[1]

College career

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At U of M, Farragut was the team captain in 1950. Following his senior season in 1951, he was invited to play in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.

Professional career

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Farragut was drafted in the sixth round (68th overall) of the 1951 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played center from 1951 to 1954. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1953.

Legacy

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Farragut was selected to Ole Miss Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame 1992. He was the recipient of the NFL Alumni Career Achievement Award 1992.

Personal life and death

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Retiring from football in 1954, Farragut remained in Philadelphia and eventually began a successful roofing company. His son David took over as CEO in 1997.[1] Farragut died from complications of diabetes in February 2014. He was 85.[2] He was survived by his wife Jane and their three children.

References

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  1. ^ a b Former Moss Point, Ole Miss, NFL star Ken Farragut dead at 85
  2. ^ "Former C Ken Farragut Passes Away At 85". Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.