He played at the quarterback and halfback positions for Notre Dame from 1929 to 1932 and in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Cardinals in 1933.

"[4] He suffered three cracked vertebrae in a 1931 game against Navy, but returned to the Notre Dame backfield in 1932.

Koken wrote that playing for Knute Rockne prepared him for combat: When the going gets rough over here, I always recall Rock's words to me before and during a big game: 'Keep cool, calm and collected.'

When we landed here, I had to march eight miles with a full pack, after wading ashore under fire in water up to my waist.

It's a tough and rugged life, but when you've had three years of varsity football at Notre Dame, with every team you meet shooting at you, then you're prepared for the toughest stuff the Jerries can throw at you.