ROH 103-BirdR-Norton

Rodger Bird

Rodger Bird lettered three years for the Wildcats as a halfback. He was named first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC and a two-time All-Southeastern Conference first-team (1964-65) by the Associated Press and United Press International. Bird played in the College All-Star Game, North-South Shrine All-Star Game, and the Senior Bowl. Later, he was a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 1966 and played with the team from 1966 to 1971. Career wise, Bird finished with 1,699 yards and 21 touchdowns at Kentucky. He tallied a season-best 646 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns in 1965. Bird had his career-high game of 157 yards rushing against Virginia Tech in 1963.

Rick Norton

Rick Norton lettered three years at quarterback for the Wildcats and was named a first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC along with Academic All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1963. Career wise, Norton finished with 4,139 yards of total offense, and completed 298 of 598 (.498 pct.) passes for 4,514 yards and 26 touchdowns. He held UK mark for season passing with 1,823 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1965. Norton owned the Wildcats’ single-game mark with 373 yards passing against Houston in 1965. As a result of his accomplishments, he was a first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1966 and played with the team until 1969.