Ben Agajanian
Encyclopedia
Benjamin James Agajanian "The Toeless Wonder" (born August 28, 1919) is an American former collegiate and Professional Football
player. He was born in Santa Ana, California
. A placekicker
, he played college football
at the University of New Mexico
. He played professionally in the National Football League
from 1945 through 1959, then in the newly formed American Football League
for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers
in 1960, 1961, and 1964. He also played for the Dallas Texans
in 1961 and the Oakland Raiders
in 1962. He was one of only two players (the other was Hardy Brown
) who played in the All-America Football Conference
, the American Football League
, and the National Football League
.
Agajanian had four toes of his kicking foot crushed off in a work accident during college, but overcame the injury to become pro football's first kicking specialist, booting field goal
s for 10 different professional teams in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, including the 1956 World Champion
New York Giants
and the 1961 World Champion
Green Bay Packers
. After retiring from the field, he was the Dallas Cowboys
kicking coach for 20 years. He is the third oldest living former AAFC player.
In 1961, kicker Ben Agajanian, who played only three games with the Green Bay Packers, was assigned Tony Canadeo's retired number 3 by mistake. It hasn't been worn since.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He was born in Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana, California
Santa Ana is the county seat and second most populous city in Orange County, California, and with a population of 324,528 at the 2010 census, Santa Ana is the 57th-most populous city in the United States....
. A placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
, he played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
. He played professionally in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
from 1945 through 1959, then in the newly formed American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1960, 1961, and 1964. He also played for the Dallas Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
in 1961 and the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1962. He was one of only two players (the other was Hardy Brown
Hardy Brown
Hardy Brown was an American football linebacker in the National Football League, All-America Football Conference, and the American Football League. He played college football at the University of Tulsa and then professionally for the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins, and the Denver Broncos...
) who played in the All-America Football Conference
All-America Football Conference
The All-America Football Conference was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations...
, the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
, and the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
Agajanian had four toes of his kicking foot crushed off in a work accident during college, but overcame the injury to become pro football's first kicking specialist, booting field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
s for 10 different professional teams in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, including the 1956 World Champion
NFL Championship Game, 1956
In the 1956 National Football League Championship Game played at Yankee Stadium in New York City on 30 December 1956, the New York Giants defeated the Chicago Bears 47-7. It was the 24th annual NFL championship game....
New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and the 1961 World Champion
NFL Championship Game, 1961
The 1961 National Football League championship game was the 29th title game. The game was played at "New" City Stadium, later known as Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisconsin on December 31, 1961...
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
. After retiring from the field, he was the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
kicking coach for 20 years. He is the third oldest living former AAFC player.
See also
- History of the New York Giants (1925-1978)
- Other American Football League players
In 1961, kicker Ben Agajanian, who played only three games with the Green Bay Packers, was assigned Tony Canadeo's retired number 3 by mistake. It hasn't been worn since.