CFL and Bombers legend Kenny Ploen dead at 88

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This article was published 13/02/2024 (612 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Legendary quarterback Ken Ploen, who led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to six Grey Cup appearances including victories in 1958, ’59, ’61 and ’62, died today after a lengthy illness. He was 88.

Ploen, born in Lost Nation, Iowa, was a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Iowa Sports Hall of Fame and Rose Bowl Hall of Fame.

In 2005, he was named one of the Winnipeg Football Club’s 20 all-game greats.

“Ken Ploen was the face of the Blue Bombers for years and then became a part of the fabric of this community following his playing days,” said Winnipeg Football Club president and CEO Wade Miller. “He was a four-time Grey Cup champion as a player and a great ambassador for our franchise and our city.

“The WFC would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Ploen family and to his many friends and family in Winnipeg as well as across Canada and the United States.”

Ploen, came to Winnipeg in 1957 after a tremendous U.S. college career and a Rose Bowl vitory with University of Iowa, was named an all-star three times — twice as a quarterback and once as a defensive back — after leading the team in 1959 with what was then a club record 10 interceptions.

He retired in 1967 as the Blue Bombers all-time leading passer and sixth in the CFL.