Ken Avery

Kenneth William Avery (born May 23, 1944) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Avery played in the NFL for 123 games, starting 77 times.

Biography Early life

Avery attended South Dade High School in Miami, Florida, from which he graduated in 1962. He was a three-sport star during his high school years and was tapped as a Florida All-State fullback during his senior season.

College career

He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a linebacker from 1964 to 1966. After playing on the freshman team for the 1963 season, he won the starting job at center in 1964 as a sophomore while also doing some double-duty playing defense for the 6-3 Eagles.

In 1965, he made the switch to full-time starting linebacker and led the team to a #1 ranking in the nation in total defense. He also still played some center and was a long-snapper for the 7-2 Eagles, with four of the wins shutouts.

Professional career

Avery was chosen as a "future" in the 12th round (179th overall) of the 1966 NFL draft by the National Football League's New York Giants

He signed with the Giants and played linebacker for the Giants in the 1967 and 1968 seasons during which he played in all but one game.

In 1969, he went to the AFL's Cincinnati Bengals, for whom he played six seasons from 1969 to 1974 (the team entered the NFL beginning with the 1970 season). In his second year with the team, 1970, he became a starting linebacker, starting 13 of their 14 games and recording his first career interception.

He remained an effective starter in 1971, again starting 13 games, then starting 12 in 1972. In 1973, he played in all 14 games, starting four, and recorded his second career interception. By 1974 he was no longer a starter, but did see action in 13 games.

His ninth and final pro season was in 1975 with the Kansas City Chiefs, for whom he played all 14 games, starting five.

Ken Avery joined eGain Corporation as a Business Director for the Central Region within the United States in December or 2021.