Leroy Keyes, a two-time consensus All-American running back and one of the greatest football players in Purdue history, died Thursday. He was 74. The family said that he died at his home in West Lafayette, Indiana, surrounded by his wife and children. Keyes had been in poor health recently, suffering from congestive heart failure and cancer recurrence. Keyes finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1967 and was the runner-up to O.J. Simpson in 1968. But he wasn’t just a star at Purdue – he was an icon.
After finishing his career as the school’s career leader in touchdowns (37), points (222), and all-purpose yards (3,757), the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Keyes with the third pick overall in 1969. Injuries forced him out of the NFL after just five seasons. He then spent 16 years as a desegregation specialist for the Philadelphia school district. Back at Purdue, though, Keyes became the man all future Boilermakers stars would be measured against. In 1987, as the program celebrated its 100th season, Keyes was selected as the Boilermakers’ most outstanding player ever. Some of his records stood for decades. Others still do.
Keyes‘ averages of 6.6 yards per carrying in 1967 and 5.88 over his career still top the Purdue charts. So do his 19 total touchdowns in 1967, when he was named the Big Ten’s MVP. 1968 he became the first Purdue player to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark. And though Keyes played only three college seasons, 1966-68, he still ranks third all-time on the Boilermakers list for total touchdowns, fifth in TDs rushing (29), sixth in points, ninth in all-purpose yards, and 11th in rushing yards (2,094). He even threw eight TD passes during his career, and the 1,870 all-purpose yards he compiled in 1967 were a school record for 40 years.
But he wasn’t just a star on the field.
“Leroy was a two-way player in the way that matters most – a great athlete and a great person,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “You never saw him without a smile on his face or left him without a smile on your own. Every Boilermaker lost a good friend today.”
The player, nicknamed “The Golden Mr. Do-Everything,” played four seasons with the Eagles before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973.
He returned to campus in 1995 as the running backs coach on Jim Colletto’s staff. After two seasons, the late Joe Tiller made Keyes an administrative assistant for the program. In 2000, he started working with the John Purdue Club, where he remained until retiring in 2011.
“Leroy was a true Boilermaker icon,” athletic director Mike Bobinski said. “He will be missed not only as a legendary player but even more so for his positive impact on many throughout his life.”
Keyes is survived by his wife, Monica, and children Raymond, Jacqueline, Courtland, and Colin.
The family said a “celebration” of his life was planned.
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