Ben Agajanian’s football career lasted 13 seasons and spanned 10 different teams. But that’s not what has him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Agajanian, a former kicker for the University of New Mexico, suffered an industrial accident during his time in college. It led to doctors recommending that four toes on his kicking foot be amputated. After pleading with the doctors, Agajanian convinced them to shave down the nubs of the toes so that he could continue kicking. Those shoes he wore on the field are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Agajanian, 98, died of natural causes in Cathedral City, Ca. on Feb. 8. He was the oldest living member of the Los Angeles Rams’ fraternity.
During his playing days, Agajanian won two NFL titles with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. In addition to playing in the NFL, Agajanian suited up in the American Football League and the All-America Football Conference.
He recently talked about the accident that made him such an intriguing figure in football history.
“Lots of guys said I was cheating because I had the hard square toe,” Agajanian told the Los Angeles Times back in 2016. “I said, ‘Well, you can do it too. If it helps you, why not?'”
With a nickname, “Bootin’ Ben the Toeless Wonder,” the kicker finished up his career in 1964 as a member of the San Diego Chargers. Following his playing days, Agajanian worked 20 years as a consultant for the Dallas Cowboys.
He is survived by his son, Lewis, two daughters, Lynne and Lori, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.