Oct. 5, 2006
Former Iowa all-America quarterback Kenny Ploen has been selected to be Iowa’s honorary captain for Saturday’s homecoming game against Purdue. The 19th-ranked Hawkeyes face the Boilermakers in a televised game with kickoff set for 11:03 a.m. in sold out Kinnick Stadium.
Ploen was a first-team all-American in 1956, his only year as a starter. He led Iowa to the 1956 Big Ten championship and a 35-19 win over Oregon State in the Rose Bowl. He was named the Big Ten and Rose Bowl MVP following his senior campaign. He was Iowa’s 1956 team leader in rushing, passing, scoring and interceptions (he also played defensive back).
He was named to Iowa’s all-time team as a defensive back. Ploen is a member of the National Iowa Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
Ploen went on to a distinguished 11-year career with the Winnipeg Blue bombers of the Canadian Football League. He led the Blue Bombers to the Grey Cup (equivalent to the NFL’s Super Bowl) six times, winning four. He is a member of the CFL’s Hall of Fame.
He will accompany the Iowa captains to the center of the field for the pre-game coin-flip. He will also be with the Hawkeyes on the sidelines and in the locker room before and after the game.