Ken Hall presents a trophy bearing his name each year at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He might be passing it along to Derrick Henry this season, the young man on pace to break his hallowed all-time record. This photo shows him giving the trophy to Demetrius Hart in 2011.
Photo courtesy of All American Games, LLC
While recovering from recent prostate cancer surgery, the legendary Ken Hall realizes that his 59-year-old national career rushing record probably will be eclipsed Friday night by
Derrick Henry of
Yulee (Fla.).
Hall at Sugar Land High.
Photo courtesy of Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Waco
Hall told MaxPreps, "Every year recently it seems like there's someone who approaches it. I had several calls this year - about a couple kids from Florida and one from Connecticut. I don't get excited about it. It's becoming more popular. (When it's broken) I'll congratulate the kid and move on."
When Hall starred for Sugar Land, Texas (1950-53), nobody knew that his career rushing total of 11,232 yards not only was a national record, but that it would stand for so many years and turn him into a legend along the way.
"We didn't even know that the record was set," he pointed out.
He said he probably was in his 20s when he read about his record in a book entitled "Incredible Football Feats."
Over the years, especially with the advent of television, everybody interested in prep football learned about Hall and his "unbreakable" record. He long ago became accustomed to receiving calls every August (the start of another football season) in regards to his record.
He observed, "We're in a lot smaller world now than we were then."
Hall is recovering well from surgery as he battlesprostate cancer.
Photo courtesy of All American Games, LLC
The 77-year-old marvel, who signed autographs and gave talks for many years, admits, "It's fun to have and even when it's broken there will be some times to talk about it and say it's been fun. I suppose that it was another appendage (like an arm or leg) that followed me around for a long time. I know it was out there to become somebody else's someday. It was a good conversation piece."
Meanwhile, the lifetime Texan is recovering from a four-hour surgery and the report is good for the future, he said.
Hall has been a beloved member of the Fredericksburg, Texas, community for many years as was evidenced by the more-than-20 people who waited patiently in the hospital throughout his surgery.
With no radiation needed, Hall is looking forward to attending the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January and helping to present the Ken Hall Trophy to the National Player of the Year.
Who knows? That player could be Derrick Henry, and Hall would be able to pass on the baton in person.
