Bill Willis facts for kids
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||
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| Born: | October 5, 1921 Columbus, Ohio |
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| Died: | November 27, 2007 (aged 86) Columbus, Ohio |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||
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| High school: | Columbus (OH) East | ||||||
| College: | Ohio State | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 1946 | ||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Bill Willis (born October 5, 1921 – died November 27, 2007) was an amazing American football player. He played as a defensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns for eight seasons. He was part of both the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL).
Willis was known for being super fast and strong, even though he wasn't the biggest player. He was one of the best defensive players in the 1940s and early 1950s. He was chosen as an All-Pro player every year he played. He also made it to the NFL's Pro Bowl three times. His unique playing style influenced how the modern linebacker position developed.
Bill Willis made history as one of the first two African American players in professional football's modern era. He signed with the Browns in 1946, along with Marion Motley. They played their first game months before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Willis went to Ohio State University. There, he joined both the track and football teams. He helped the Buckeyes football team win their first national championship in 1942. After college, he joined the Cleveland Browns, led by his old coach, Paul Brown.
With Willis leading the defense, the Browns won all four AAFC championships from 1946 to 1949. When the AAFC ended, the Browns joined the NFL. Willis continued to shine, helping Cleveland win the NFL championship in 1950.
Willis retired from football in 1954. He wanted to help young people. He worked as Cleveland's assistant recreation commissioner and later led the Ohio Youth Commission. He stayed in that role until he passed away in 2007. Bill Willis was honored by being inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and High School Football
William Karnet Willis was born in Georgia on October 5, 1921. His family moved to Columbus, Ohio, around 1922. His father passed away when Bill was very young. He was raised by his grandfather and mother during the tough times of the Great Depression.
At Columbus East High School, Bill was a star athlete. He ran sprints and threw the shot put for the track team. He also played on the football team. Bill played as a tackle and end, avoiding the backfield where his older brother had been a star. He was a successful high school player, earning "Honorable Mention All-State" honors in his senior year. After high school, Willis worked for a year before going to college.
College Football at Ohio State
In 1941, Bill Willis enrolled at Ohio State University. He was considered small for a lineman, weighing about 202 pounds. His high school coach told Ohio State's football coach, Paul Brown, that Willis was fast and exactly the kind of player Brown liked.
In 1942, as a sophomore, Willis joined the football team. He played as a middle guard, a defensive position right across from the center. That year, the Buckeyes had an amazing 9–1 record. They won the Big Ten Conference and were voted national champions. This was the first national championship for the school!
Many Ohio State players left to join the military during World War II. Willis tried to join the U.S. Army, but he couldn't because of varicose veins. In 1944, the Buckeyes had an undefeated season. Willis was named to the All-America teams by United Press International and Look magazine. He also played in the 1944 College All-Star Game and was named the best player in that game.
Becoming a Professional Football Player
After graduating in 1945, it seemed unlikely Bill Willis would play professional football. At that time, no African-American had played in the National Football League since 1933. This was due to an unwritten rule.
Willis still wanted to play. He heard that his old coach, Paul Brown, was coaching a new team in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Willis called Brown and got a tryout with the new team, the Cleveland Browns.
At the training camp, Willis impressed Coach Brown with his speed and quickness. He was so fast that other players thought he was starting before the ball was snapped! But Willis was just watching the center's fingers. He was incredibly quick off the line.
Willis made the team. Ten days later, the Browns signed another African-American player, Marion Motley. Willis played middle guard, often dropping back to cover passes. His style was similar to a modern-day linebacker. Coach Brown didn't care about a player's race; he just wanted the best team.
In 1946, Willis and Motley became two of the first four black players to break the color barrier in professional football. This happened a year before Jackie Robinson did the same in Major League Baseball.
Success with the Cleveland Browns
With Bill Willis on defense, the Browns were unstoppable in the AAFC. They won all four league championships from 1946 to 1949. Willis was named to the All-AAFC team every year.
Even with their success, Willis and Motley faced racism. They were sometimes insulted on the field. In 1946, they couldn't travel to a game in Miami because of threats. Another time, a hotel tried to make them leave, but Coach Brown stood up for them.
When the Browns joined the NFL in 1950, their success continued. In a big playoff game against the New York Giants, Willis made a game-saving play. He chased down a running back to prevent a touchdown, helping the Browns win 8–3. The Browns then went on to win the NFL championship in 1950! Willis was one of seven Browns players chosen for the first-ever Pro Bowl that year.
Willis continued to play great in 1951 and 1952. He was an All-Pro selection and made the Pro Bowl both years. The Browns reached the NFL championship game three years in a row (1951-1953), though they lost those games.
Retirement and Later Life
Bill Willis and Marion Motley both retired after the 1953 season. Willis was 32 years old. He had played eight seasons and earned All-Pro honors every single year. He was a key player on the Browns' strong defense.
Willis retired because he wanted to help others. He was very popular in Ohio and worked with young people in Cleveland and Columbus. He took a job as Cleveland's assistant recreation commissioner. He said, "This is the type of work I want to do, working with kids." Later, he became the chairman of the Ohio Youth Commission, which helps young people.
Bill Willis passed away in 2007. He was married to Odessa Porter until she passed away in 2002. They had three sons: William Jr., Clement, and Dan.
Honors and Legacy
Bill Willis received many honors for his amazing career:
- In 1971, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
- In 1977, he was a first member of the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame.
- In the same year, 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- On November 3, 2007, Ohio State University honored Willis by retiring his #99 jersey.
- He was named a finalist for the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
- In 2020, Ohio State started a new tradition. They designated the #0 jersey (the Block O jersey) to honor Willis. A new Ohio State player will wear this special number each season.
