Sonny Sixkiller facts for kids

Alex L. "Sonny" Sixkiller was born on September 6, 1951. He is a former American football player. He also worked as a sports commentator. Today, he helps with business for the University of Washington's sports teams.

Sonny Sixkiller's Early Life

Sonny Sixkiller is a member of the Cherokee Nation. He was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. When he was one year old, his family moved to Ashland, Oregon. His father worked there in a lumber mill.

High School Sports Star

Sonny went to Ashland High School. He was a good student. He played three sports:

• Football
• Basketball
• Baseball

In football, he was chosen for the All-Southern Oregon Conference team. He was also a second-team all-state player. In basketball and baseball, he was an all-conference player too. He was a pitcher in baseball.

Sonny graduated in 1969. He wanted to play football for Oregon State. But the coach did not offer him a scholarship. This was because Sonny was not very tall for a football player. He was 5 feet 11 inches tall.

College Football at Washington

A former teammate told the University of Washington coach about Sonny. The coach, Jim Owens, offered Sonny a scholarship. Sonny then went to the University of Washington in Seattle. Because of his last name, he was given the jersey number 6.

Becoming the Huskies' Quarterback

Sonny Sixkiller became the starting quarterback for the Huskies in 1970. This was his second year of college. The team had a very tough year in 1969, winning only one game. With Sonny as quarterback, they improved a lot! They won 6 games and lost 4.

Sonny threw 186 passes for 2,303 yards. He also scored 15 touchdowns that year. Many people called 1970 "The Year of The Quarterback" because of his great play.

Setting School Records

Sonny missed four games in his final year, 1972. He finished his college career with amazing stats. He completed 385 passes for 5,496 yards. He also threw 35 touchdowns. He held fifteen school records at the University of Washington.

The Huskies had great seasons in 1971 and 1972. They won 8 games and lost 3 in both years. Back then, only one team from their conference could play in the Rose Bowl. This rule changed later in 1975.

Playing Professional Football

Sonny Sixkiller was not chosen in the 1973 NFL draft. But he still tried out for professional teams. He tried out for the Los Angeles Rams in 1973. He also tried out for the Toronto Argonauts in Canada in 1974.

Playing in the World Football League

In 1974, Sonny signed with the Philadelphia Bell. This team was part of the World Football League. He then played for The Hawaiians in 1975. The World Football League had some problems. Sonny and other players left the team when they were asked to take less pay. The whole league stopped playing a week later. He also tried out for the San Diego Chargers in 1976.

Beyond the Field

Sonny Sixkiller also appeared in a movie. He was in the 1974 film The Longest Yard. Today, he works for a sports marketing company called IMG College. He helps his old college, the University of Washington.

See also

• Washington Huskies football statistical leaders