Odell Willis facts for kids
Willis before a Lions game in 2019
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| Born: | December 28, 1984 Meridian, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Defensive end |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| College | West Georgia |
| NFL draft | 2008 / Undrafted |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2007 | Spokane Shock |
| 2008 | Huntington Heroes |
| 2008 | Peoria Pirates |
| 2008 | Green Bay Blizzard |
| 2009 | Calgary Stampeders |
| 2009–2011 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2012 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| 2013–2017 | Edmonton Eskimos |
| 2018 | Ottawa Redblacks* |
| 2018–2019 | BC Lions |
| 2021 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 2011, 2014 |
| CFL East All-Star | 2011 |
| CFL West All-Star | 2014 |
| Career stats | |
| Tackles | 263 |
| Sacks | 101 |
| Forced fumbles | 24 |
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Odell Willis (born December 28, 1984) is a professional Canadian football player. He is known as a defensive end, a position where players try to stop the opposing team's offense. Willis was nicknamed "the Mayor of Swaggerville" during his career.
He played for many teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL), including the Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Toronto Argonauts. Before the CFL, he also played in other indoor football leagues.
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College Football Career
Odell Willis played college football for the University of West Georgia. He was a key player for the West Georgia Wolves for four seasons. During his time there, he made 126 tackles and had 20.5 sacks. A sack happens when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused six fumbles, which means he knocked the ball loose from an opposing player. Willis was recognized twice as an All-Gulf South Conference player for his strong performance.
Professional Football Journey
Odell Willis started his professional career in indoor football leagues before joining the CFL.
Early Indoor Leagues
In 2007, Willis joined the Spokane Shock in a league called af2. The next year, in 2008, he played for the Huntington Heroes in the American Indoor Football Association. Later in 2008, he played for the Peoria Pirates in af2. He was then traded to the Green Bay Blizzard in July 2008.
Playing in the CFL
Willis made his way to the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2009.
Calgary Stampeders
In 2009, Odell Willis signed with the Calgary Stampeders. He quickly showed his skills, getting six sacks in his first nine games with the team.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Later in 2009, Willis was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He continued to perform well, adding four more sacks with his new team. In 2010, he played in all 18 games and recorded 11 sacks.
His best season with the Blue Bombers was in 2011. He played all 18 games again and set a personal record with 13 sacks. Because of his excellent play, he was named a CFL East Division All-Star and a CFL All-Star for the first time.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
On March 22, 2012, Willis was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played one season with them, recording six sacks in the 2012 CFL season.
Edmonton Eskimos
After his time with the Roughriders, Willis signed a three-year contract with the Edmonton Eskimos on February 15, 2013. In his first year with the Eskimos, he played in 13 games. He finished the 2013 season with 22 tackles and 9 sacks.
Willis's performance got even better in 2014. He earned his second CFL All-Star award and his first CFL West All-Star award. He had 13 sacks, which tied him for second-most in the league that season. He also made 32 tackles and had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. After the 2014 season, Willis signed another contract with the Eskimos.
Ottawa Redblacks
On February 2, 2018, Willis was traded to the Ottawa Redblacks. However, his time with the Redblacks was very short, lasting only about 17 minutes.
BC Lions
Right after being traded to the Redblacks, Willis was traded again on February 2, 2018, to the BC Lions. He continued to be a strong pass rusher, getting 11 sacks during the season. This was his best sack total since 2014.
After the season, Willis re-signed with the Lions for the 2019 CFL season. In 2019, he moved to play as a defensive tackle for part of the season. Even though his sack numbers were lower (four sacks), he reached a big milestone: over 100 career sacks. He became a free agent in 2020, but the 2020 CFL season was canceled.
Toronto Argonauts
On February 12, 2021, it was announced that Willis had signed with the Toronto Argonauts. He was placed on the suspended list in July 2021. He later moved to the practice roster but was released by the team on August 17, 2021.
