Keith Payson Lincoln (born May 8, 1939 in Reading, Michigan) is a former American football running back who started his career playing college football at Washington State University. He maintained his versatility after being drafted by the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1961. In 1963 he led the team in rushing, punt return and kickoff return yards. In the 1963 American Football League Championship game, he accounted for a then NFL regular and postseason record(now just a postseason record) of 329 yards of yards from scrimmage as the Chargers defeated the Boston Patriots 51-10.
A five-time All-American Football League selection (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1967), Lincoln produced unforgettable plays virtually every season. In 1961 he caught a record-setting 91 yard TD pass; in 1962, he ran a kickoff back for a Chargers' record 103 yards. Lincoln had three games in which he gained 100 or more yards on 14 or fewer carries, and in both 1963 and 1964 was the AFL All-Star Game Most Valuable Player.
Lincoln is a member of the San Diego Chargers and Washington State University Athletic Halls of Fame.
In 1995, a panel of experts commissioned by The Spokesman-Review to commemorate the 100th anniversary of football at Washington State University named Lincoln to the school's all-time team. A similar honor was bestowed on him in 1998 when Cougfan.com named him to its all-time Cougar team.
After retiring from pro football, Lincoln returned to WSU as an assistant coach and then became the school's long-time director of alumni relations.
Famous quotes containing the words keith and/or lincoln:
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.”
—Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874–1936)
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)