Member Biography

His full name was Charles Collins Aldrich, but he was always known as Ki Aldrich. It was a nickname he carried from childhood. He is listed as Ki Aldrich in the NCAA all-time guide, the Texas Christian letterman's roster, and the pro football player's roster. In his sophomore year, 1936, Texas Christian went 9-2-2 and beat Marquette 16-6 in the first Cotton Bowl. TCU was 4-4-2 in 1937 and soared to 11-0 in 1938. TCU was voted national champion in the Associated Press poll and beat Carnegie Tech 15-7 in the Sugar Bowl. Aldrich, 5'-11" and 198 pounds, was a great blocker as a center on offense and a terrific linebacker on defense. His coach, Dutch Meyer, said, "That boy wanted to play football more than anyone I ever knew. He liked in rough." His teammate, Sammy Baugh, called him "the toughest player I ever knew." Life Magazine in 1938 called him "probably the greatest linebacker in history." Aldrich blocked for Baugh in 1936 and for Davey O'Brien in 1937-38. He was named to the all-time Southwest Conference team. He played pro with the Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins 1939-42, 1945-47, with time out for U.S. Navy service. After football he served as superintendent of the Lena Pope Orphange in Rogers, Texas. Ki Aldrich was born June 1, 1916, in Rogers, Texas. He died March 12, 1983.