Sonny Sixkiller facts for kids

Alex L. "Sonny" Sixkiller (born September 6, 1951) is a famous American former football player and sports commentator. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Today, he works as a senior manager helping with business development for the University of Washington's sports programs.

Sonny's Early Life and Sports Talents

Sonny Sixkiller was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. When he was about one year old, his family moved to Ashland, Oregon. His father worked at a lumber mill there. Sonny went to Ashland High School. He was a great student and excelled in many sports.

He earned special recognition in football, basketball, and 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 also an all-conference selection. Sonny graduated in 1969. He hoped to play college football in Oregon. However, the coach at Oregon State did not offer him a scholarship. The coach thought Sonny was too small for college football at 5 feet 11 inches tall and 171 pounds.

Becoming a Star Quarterback at Washington

Luckily, a former teammate suggested Sonny to the University of Washington coach, Jim Owens. Coach Owens offered Sonny a scholarship to play for the Huskies in Seattle. Because of his unique last name, he was given the jersey number 6.

Sonny became the starting Quarterback for the Huskies in 1970, during his second year of college. He quickly made a huge difference for the team. In 1969, the team had won only one game. With Sonny as quarterback in 1970, they won six games and lost four. He completed 186 passes for 2,303 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. Many people called that season "The Year of The Quarterback" because of his amazing play.

Sonny continued to lead the Huskies. He finished his college career with 385 completed passes. He gained 5,496 yards and scored 35 touchdowns. He even set fifteen school records! The Huskies had impressive records of eight wins and three losses in both 1971 and 1972. Back then, only one team from their conference could play in the special Rose Bowl after the season.

Life After College: Pro Football and Movies

After college, Sonny Sixkiller was not chosen in the 1973 NFL draft. However, he still tried to play professional football. He had tryouts with the Los Angeles Rams in 1973. He also tried out for the Toronto Argonauts in Canada in 1974.

In 1974, he signed with a team called the Philadelphia Bell in a new league, the World Football League. He then played for The Hawaiians in 1975. This league faced some financial challenges. Sonny and other players left the team when they were asked to take a pay cut. The entire league closed down shortly after. He later tried out for the San Diego Chargers in 1976.

Besides football, Sonny Sixkiller also appeared in a movie! He was a cast member in the 1974 film The Longest Yard. Today, he works as an executive for a sports marketing company called IMG College. He helps his old university, the University of Washington, with their sports programs.

See also

• Washington Huskies football statistical leaders