Ken Willard

Kenneth Henderson Willard, born July 14, 1943, in Richmond, Virginia, was an American professional football player who played fullback in the National Football League, where he was a four-time Pro Bowler with the San Francisco 49ers during the 1960s.

Willard attended Varina High School, where he earned 16 letters across football, baseball, basketball, and track and belonged to academic honor societies. He stood 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 185 pounds in high school, combining speed and strength; he ran the hundred-yard dash and threw the shot and discus for the track team. In 1957, at only 14 years old, he was a star running back who also played defense. On his first two carries he scored touchdowns on runs of 40 yards or more, but both were called back on penalties; he then caught a short pass and ran 60 yards for a touchdown on his first official play. His brother Richard later served as the team's quarterback. In 1958, Willard made the all-district team in football. As a senior, he won high school awards in baseball and track and was a power hitter.