Ken Herock is a former American football player and executive who had a successful career in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a tight end for the Oakland Raiders and the Atlanta Falcons during his playing career. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into a career as a scout and executive, working for several NFL teams.
Herock began his football career at the University of Tampa, where he played as a tight end and defensive end. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 10th round of the 1965 NFL Draft and played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the Raiders, he was primarily used as a blocking tight end and special teams player.
In 1969, Herock was traded to the Atlanta Falcons, where he played for two seasons. He had a more prominent role on offense with the Falcons, catching 25 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns in his first season with the team. However, he suffered a knee injury in his second season with the Falcons and was forced to retire from playing.
After retiring from playing, Herock began working as a scout for the Falcons. He quickly rose through the ranks and was eventually promoted to director of player personnel. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the team's scouting and drafting efforts.
In 1983, Herock left the Falcons to become the director of player personnel for the Green Bay Packers. He spent four seasons with the Packers before leaving to become the vice president of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Herock returned to the Falcons in 1994 as the team's vice president of player personnel. He played a key role in the team's success during the 1990s, helping to build a roster that reached the Super Bowl in 1998.
After leaving the Falcons in 1996, Herock worked as a consultant for several NFL teams. He also served as an analyst for NFL Network and ESPN, providing insight and analysis on the league's draft and free agency periods.
Throughout his career, Herock was known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to evaluate players. He played a key role in the drafting of several successful NFL players, including Brett Favre, Sterling Sharpe, and Deion Sanders.
Overall, Ken Herock had a successful career in the NFL as both a player and executive. He played for two teams and later worked for several others, helping to build successful rosters and identify talented players. His contributions to the league have earned him a place in NFL history as a respected and influential figure.
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