Benjamin James Agajanian, known widely as "The Toeless Wonder" and born on the 28th of August, 1919, is renowned as a retired American football figure who notably served as a placekicker. His career spanned across several football leagues, including the prestigious National Football League, the All-America Football Conference, and the American Football League.

Hailing from Santa Ana in California, Agajanian completed his high school education at San Pedro High School, located in the San Pedro sector of Los Angeles. His football journey began in college, where he showcased his kicking abilities, initially playing for Compton Junior College and subsequently for the University of New Mexico situated in Albuquerque. During the tumultuous times of World War II, he contributed to the U.S. Army Air Forces, imparting his expertise as a physical training instructor.

Agajanian's professional trajectory in the field of football commenced in the National Football League, with a career that extended from 1945 all the way to 1959. His journey continued as he joined the ranks of the then-emerging American Football League, playing for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers during the years 1960, 1961, and notably again in 1964. Additionally, his professional stints included playing for the Dallas Texans in the year 1961 and for the Oakland Raiders in 1962. His career was distinguished by the fact that he was one of the mere two players, alongside Hardy Brown, to have the unique distinction of playing across the All-America Football Conference, the American Football League, and the National Football League.

The year 1939 marked a significant challenge in Agajanian's life when he endured a severe injury resulting in the crushing and subsequent surgical removal of four toes on his kicking foot. This incident occurred during his college football tenure, yet he remarkably overcame this adversity to emerge as a professional football’s second specialist in kicking (succeeding Mose Kelsch). He demonstrated his exceptional skills by kicking field goals for an impressive array of 10 different professional teams through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. His illustrious career includes the honor of contributing to the triumphs of two NFL champion teams: the New York Giants in the year 1956 and the Green Bay Packers in 1961. After an extensive period of active play, he retired from the playing field at the age of 45. Post-retirement, Agajanian dedicated two decades as a kicking coach for the Dallas Cowboys, imparting his wealth of knowledge and experience to the new generations of football talent.

🏈