By Darin In the late 1960s, a player emerged from the Purdue Boilermakers’ ranks who could seemingly bend the game of football to his will. Leroy Keyes, the man affectionately known as “The Golden Mr. Do-Everything,” was a gridiron anomaly—a superstar who dominated as a defensive halfback, a running back, and a receiver, often in the same afternoon. Whether he was picking off fumbles to sprint nearly the length of the field or leading the nation in scoring, Keyes played with a level of flair and athleticism that made him a two-time Heisman finalist. Discover the story of the do-it-all legend who remains the only two-time consensus All-American in Purdue history.
Football Bio
February 18, 1947 – Newport News, Virginia – The stellar Purdue University halfback Leroy Keyes was born. The FootballFoundation.org tells us that Keyes got his first big play in college on the defensive side of the ball when, as a sophomore against Notre Dame, he picked off a fumble in midair and ran 95 yards for a touchdown. In the 1968 season, he was a full-time offensive running back, rushing for 225 yards on 21 carries against Illinois and scoring two touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, against Notre Dame. But who could forget his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Purdue came from 11 points down to beat Indiana 38-35 during that 1968 season! Leroy Keyes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 after the National Football Foundation tallied its votes.
Conclusion
Leroy Keyes was more than just a stat sheet stuffer; he was the heartbeat of a golden era for Purdue football. After becoming the first Boilermaker to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, his transition to the NFL as the third overall pick saw him display that same trademark versatility as both a running back and a safety. Even after his playing days, Keyes’ devotion to his alma mater and the city of Philadelphia showed he was a “Mr. Do-Everything” in life as well as sport. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2010, Keyes’ legacy as the “Pied Piper of Purdue” remains untouchable.
Verified Accolades & Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1990.
- Rose Bowl Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2010.
- Two-Time Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 3rd (1967) and 2nd (1968).
- Two-Time Consensus All-American: (1967, 1968) — The only player in Purdue history to achieve this twice.
- Big Ten Most Valuable Player: (1967).
- NCAA Scoring Leader: Led the nation with 114 points in 1967.
- Purdue “All-Time Greatest Player”: Voted the best player in program history during its 1987 centennial.
- NCAA Record: Still holds the Purdue record for longest fumble return (95 yards vs. Notre Dame, 1966).
- Statistical Milestone: First player in Purdue history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season (1,003 in 1968).
- NFL First-Round Draft Pick: Selected 3rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969.
