Former Kansas State Football Great Remembered

Henry Childs, former tight end for Kansas State, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65 in his hometown from a heart attack. Not only was Childs considered one of the best to play at Kansas State, his career in the National Football League was quite accomplished as well.

Under head coach Vince Gibson, Childs had an incredible stay at Kansas State before entering into the NFL Draft in 1974. To this day, Childs is one of 28 players in Wildcat history with over 1,000 receiving yards in his career. The impact he had on the offense was immense and at tight end, he provided consistency and power.

While Childs was drafted in 1974 by the Atlanta Falcons, he never actually played for them before joining the powerful New Orleans Saints. Alongside Archie Manning, Childs was quickly brought up to speed and by 1977 was Manning’s favorite target leading the team with nine touchdowns that season. Not only was that a franchise record, no one touched that record for 26 years! Later in his career Childs was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1979. Henry Childs paved the way for the New Orleans Saints to become well known for versatile and reliable tight ends being targets for their offense.

Henry Childs went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers later in his career and finished in 1984. Ten years later, Childs was selected for the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, which is just another one of his great accomplishments that keeps him still in the top ten of Saints history.

Kansas State issued a statement yesterday regarding the passing of Henry Childs that you can read here. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Henry Childs. Rest in peace.