Willie Parker (defensive tackle) facts for kids
| No. 74 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 12, 1945 Bastrop, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died: | September 6, 2025 (aged 80) Bastrop, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 275 lb (125 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Morehouse (Bastrop) |
| College: | Arkansas–Pine Bluff (1963–1966) |
| NFL Draft: | 1967 / Round: 5 / Pick: 118 |
| Career history | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
Willie David Parker (March 12, 1945 – September 6, 2025) was an American professional football player. He was known for playing as a defensive tackle for the Houston Oilers in both the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). He also played for the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer in the World Football League (WFL).
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Willie Parker's Early Life and College Football
Willie David Parker was born on March 12, 1945, in Bastrop, Louisiana. He loved playing high school football at Morehouse High School in Bastrop. He was so good that he earned special "all-state" honors during his junior and senior years. He finished high school in 1963.
After high school, Parker went to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. There, he continued to play football for the Golden Lions from 1963 to 1966. His amazing college career was recognized when he was added to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
Willie Parker's Professional Football Career
Willie Parker was chosen by the Houston Oilers in the 1967 football draft. He was the 118th player picked overall in the fifth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.
Playing for the Houston Oilers
In his first year with the Oilers in 1967, Parker played in all 14 games. He started ten of those games and made two "sacks" (tackling the opposing quarterback behind the line of scrimmage). He also played in one playoff game that season.
In 1968, Parker started all 14 games for the Oilers. He made two more sacks, and his team finished the season with seven wins and seven losses. During the 1969 season, he played in 12 games, starting two. He recorded three sacks and recovered one "fumble" (when a player drops the ball). He also played in another playoff game that year.
Parker's last season with the Oilers was in 1970. He started all 14 games, making four sacks and recovering another fumble. The Oilers had a record of three wins, ten losses, and one tie that year. He left the team in 1971.
Time in the World Football League
In 1974, Parker joined a new league called the World Football League. He signed with the Houston Texans. He played for the Houston Texans, which later became the Shreveport Steamer, during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
Willie Parker's Life After Football
After his football career, Willie Parker became a police officer in his hometown of Bastrop, Louisiana. He served in the Bastrop Police Department from 1977 until 2010. He retired with the important rank of captain.
Willie Parker passed away on September 6, 2025, at the age of 80.
