Ken Criter
Encyclopedia
Ken Criter is an American college and professional football player who played for the American Football League
's Denver Broncos
. Criter graduated from New Holstein High School
in New Holstein, Wisconsin
. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, where he played college football
. A linebacker
at Wisconsin
, Criter became a first-Team All-Big Ten
selection in 1967 and 1968.
Criter went on to the AFL
where he played for the Denver Broncos in 1969. The Broncos joined the NFL in 1970 and Criter played for them until 1974. During his first two of seasons Criter wore the jersey number 78, but later switched to jersey number 53. He played in 75 games for the Broncos, and served as a linebacker
, special teams player, kick returner
, and punt returner
. During his pro career Criter returned one punt and thirteen kickoffs. During the 1973 season he recorded a safety. The Broncos' special teams unit was referred to as Criter's Critters and Criter was considered an "animal" on the coverage team.
Ken Criter is the oldest of 5 kids: Gary Criter (b. 1948), Janice Criter (b. 1950-d.1952), Joan Bohlman (b. 1953) and Patricia Criter (b. 1958 and d. 1976 due to Cerebral Palsy). Ken has 2 children Kurt and Kip from his first marriage to Kim. He has a stepdaughter from his marriage now to Barb. They live in Colorado where Ken runs his own chemical business. They love their dogs and love their families.
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...
's Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Criter graduated from New Holstein High School
New Holstein High School
New Holstein High School is a public high school located in North Eastern Wisconsin 20 miles north of Plymouth, Wisconsin. Enrollment of 9th through 12th grade with approximately 423 students.- Sports :New Holstein's mascot is the Husky...
in New Holstein, Wisconsin
New Holstein, Wisconsin
New Holstein is a city in Calumet County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,301 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of New Holstein.-History:...
. He went on to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, where 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...
. A linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
at Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, Criter became a first-Team All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
selection in 1967 and 1968.
Criter went on to the AFL
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...
where he played for the Denver Broncos in 1969. The Broncos joined the NFL in 1970 and Criter played for them until 1974. During his first two of seasons Criter wore the jersey number 78, but later switched to jersey number 53. He played in 75 games for the Broncos, and served as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, special teams player, kick returner
Kick returner
In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
, and punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
. During his pro career Criter returned one punt and thirteen kickoffs. During the 1973 season he recorded a safety. The Broncos' special teams unit was referred to as Criter's Critters and Criter was considered an "animal" on the coverage team.
Ken Criter is the oldest of 5 kids: Gary Criter (b. 1948), Janice Criter (b. 1950-d.1952), Joan Bohlman (b. 1953) and Patricia Criter (b. 1958 and d. 1976 due to Cerebral Palsy). Ken has 2 children Kurt and Kip from his first marriage to Kim. He has a stepdaughter from his marriage now to Barb. They live in Colorado where Ken runs his own chemical business. They love their dogs and love their families.