The Tough Texan

The Tough Texan: Ki Aldrich's Two-Way Dominance
Explore the remarkable career of Ki Aldrich, the tenacious center and linebacker who led TCU to a national title and earned All-Pro recognition in the NFL.
Born on June 1, 1916, in Rogers, Texas, Charles "Ki" Aldrich became a legendary figure at Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1936 to 1938. A fierce competitor, Aldrich excelled on both sides of the ball as a center on offense and a dominant linebacker on defense. His coach, Dutch Meyer, aptly described him as someone who "liked it rough," and his teammate, the legendary Sammy Baugh, hailed him as "the toughest player I ever knew."

✦ College Career

Aldrich was the anchor of a TCU team that reached its zenith during his senior year in 1938. That season, the Horned Frogs achieved a perfect 11-0 record, were voted national champions in the Associated Press poll, and capped their remarkable run with a 15-7 victory over Carnegie Tech in the Sugar Bowl. As a testament to his outstanding play, Aldrich earned consensus All-America honors in 1938, adding to his First-Team All-Southwest Conference selections in both 1937 and 1938, and a Second-Team All-America nod in 1937. His leadership and exceptional two-way ability were central to TCU's success during this period, blocking for both Sammy Baugh and Heisman Trophy winner Davey O'Brien.

✦ Road to the Pro Game

Aldrich's collegiate achievements made him the first overall pick in the 1939 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals. He played two seasons for the Cardinals (1939-1940) and then moved to the Washington Redskins. His professional career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to the Redskins, playing until 1947. Remarkably, Aldrich averaged an astounding 50 minutes of playing time per game throughout his NFL career, showcasing his exceptional durability and value on both offense and defense (where he also played linebacker and even recorded 8 career interceptions). He was also selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1939 and 1942, and was part of the Redskins team that won the NFL Championship in 1942.

✦ Football Legacy

Ki Aldrich's football legacy is one of toughness, versatility, and leadership. He was a dominant force at TCU, leading them to a national championship and earning numerous individual accolades. His successful NFL career, interrupted by his patriotic service, further solidified his reputation as a tenacious and skilled player. Aldrich's ability to excel on both offense and defense in the early days of professional football was exceptional. He is remembered as one of the greatest players in TCU history and a standout in the early NFL. His contributions to the game were recognized with his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1960.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

College Accolades:

✦ National Champion (1938)

✦ Consensus All-American (1938)

✦ First-Team All-Southwest Conference (1937, 1938)

✦ Second-Team All-American (1937)

✦ Cotton Bowl Classic MVP (1937)

✦ TCU MVP (1938)

✦ Southwest Conference's All-Time Team (1969)

✦ College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1960)

✦ NFL Accolades & Awards:

✦ NFL Champion (1942)

✦ 2x Pro Bowl (1939, 1942)

✦ Second-Team All-Pro (1939)

✦ Career Stats (NFL):

Games Played: 73
Interceptions: 8
Touchdowns: 2