Growing up a Washington fan, you hear a lot about toughness… but Ken Houston was on a different level. The guy had guts, heart, and a kind of quiet fearlessness that defined our teams in the ’70s.
What always made him special to me was that he wasn’t the biggest safety out there — 6’3”, under 200 pounds — but he hit like a linebacker and carried himself like someone who just refused to break. He brought that mentality from his college days playing offensive line and linebacker. You could see it in every snap. And the man never missed a game — 183 straight — until a broken arm finally stopped the streak.
But if you’re from DC, there’s one moment that is Ken Houston:
1973. Monday Night Football. Washington vs. Dallas.
If you grew up in that rivalry, you know the feeling: nerves, pride, hatred of the star on that helmet. Everything was on the line.
Dallas has the ball at our 1-yard line.
Seconds left.
They score, and the game’s tied.
Walt Garrison — tough as they come — takes the handoff and lowers his shoulder. Nine out of ten times, that’s a touchdown.
But Ken Houston met him right there, head-on.
Wrapped him up.
And stopped him inches short of the goal line.
Game over.
Washington wins 14–7.
The entire city erupted.
That play wasn’t just a tackle.
It was Washington’s identity in one moment — grit, pride, and refusing to let the Cowboys take anything easy.
And that’s who Ken Houston was.
A playmaker with incredible instincts — he even scored five defensive touchdowns in one season — but more importantly, a leader whose toughness lifted everyone around him.
Opponents respected him. Teammates trusted him. And fans like me will always remember him as the kind of player who didn’t just make big plays… he made the plays.
A Hall of Famer because he played with heart first, everything else second.
This card is from my personal collection I have had since I was a kid taken from a waxpack. The scratches are from the plastic holder, not the card that’s in nm condition.
