Willie Roaf facts for kids
Roaf in February 2008
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | April 18, 1970 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 320 lb (145 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Pine Bluff | ||||||
| College: | Louisiana Tech (1989–1992) | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1993 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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William Layton Roaf, born on April 18, 1970, is a famous former American football player. People sometimes called him "Nasty" because of how tough he played! He was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons.
Willie Roaf played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. There, he was recognized as an All-American. He was chosen early in the 1993 NFL draft. He played professionally for the New Orleans Saints and the Kansas City Chiefs. Roaf was picked for the Pro Bowl 11 times and was named All-Pro nine times. He was honored in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
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Early Life and Family
Willie Roaf was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He went to Pine Bluff High School. He played both football and basketball for his school team, the Pine Bluff Zebras. At first, he thought about playing basketball in college instead of football.
Willie's father, Clifton George Roaf, was a dentist. His mother, Andree Layton Roaf, made history. She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court.
College Football Career
Willie Roaf received a scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech University. He had a great career playing for the Bulldogs from 1989 to 1992. He was known for his strong blocking skills. He was also very fast for someone his size.
In his senior year, he was named a first-team All-American. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy. This award goes to the best offensive lineman in college football. After college, Roaf played in special games like the Hula Bowl and the East–West Shrine Game.
Professional Football Career
The New Orleans Saints chose Willie Roaf as the eighth pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL draft. He played nine seasons for the Saints. During this time, he was selected for seven Pro Bowls. He was also named to the NFL's All-Decade Teams for both the 1990s and the 2000s. This made him one of the most honored players in Saints history.
In 2001, Roaf had an injury that ended his season. In March 2002, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. He played four more seasons with the Chiefs. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of those four years. This brought his total to 11 Pro Bowl selections! Roaf was very important in helping his team run the ball. The Chiefs had the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL for two seasons in a row.
On July 28, 2006, Willie Roaf announced he was retiring from football. He said his decision was "solid." In 2009, Roaf started his first coaching job. He became the offensive line coach at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California.
Hall of Fame Honors
Willie Roaf has been honored in many Sports Halls of Fame. He was inducted into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. He also joined the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2008, he was inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. He also joined the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. On February 4, 2012, Roaf was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was added to the Saints Ring of Honor. He also joined the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame with his mother in 2013. In 2014, Roaf was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He is also in the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor (2011) and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2022).
Personal Life
Willie Roaf has two sisters and one brother. His sister, Phoebe Alison Roaf, is a bishop in the Episcopal Church. She serves the Diocese of West Tennessee.
Willie Roaf is married to Angela Hernandez Roaf. They have four children and one stepdaughter.
See also
In Spanish: Willie Roaf para niños
