Ken Ploen, the two-way star who led Winnipeg to four Gray Cups, has died at 88

WINNIPEG – Ken Ploen, a two-way star who led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to four Gray Cup titles, has died at age 88.

The Blue Bombers confirmed Ploen's death in a statement on Tuesday. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Ploen spent 11 seasons with the Blue Bombers from 1957-67.

A star at both point guard and defense, he led the Bombers to Gray Cup titles in 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1962.

After leading the team in 1959, Ploen was named an All-Star three times, twice as a quarterback and once as a defensive end, a then-club-record 10 interceptions.

He retired in 1967 as the Blue Bombers' all-time leading passer, having completed 1,084 passes for 16,470 yards and 119 touchdowns.

He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1975.

“Ken Ploen has been the face of the Blue Bombers for years and has been a part of this community since his playing days,” Winnipeg president and CEO Wade Miller said in a statement. “He was a four-time Gray Cup champion as a player and a great ambassador for our franchise and city.

“The Winnipeg Soccer Club sends our deepest condolences to Ploen's family and to his many friends and family in Winnipeg, as well as across Canada and the United States.”

Ploen was born on June 3, 1935 in Lost Nation, Iowa.

He was a collegiate star at the University of Iowa and was named MVP of the 1957 Rose Bowl after leading the Hokies to a 35-19 victory over Oregon State.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 13, 2024.