Willie Wood facts for kids
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
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| Born: | December 23, 1936 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Died: | February 3, 2020 (aged 83) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||
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| High school: | Armstrong (Washington, D.C.) | ||||||||
| College: | USC | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1960 | ||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Willie Wood (born December 23, 1936 – died February 3, 2020) was a famous American football player and coach. He played as a safety for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League (NFL). Willie Wood was known for being a great player, earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
Wood played college football at the University of Southern California. He was the first African-American quarterback to play in what is now the Pac-12 Conference. Even though he wasn't chosen in the NFL draft, he got a chance to try out for the Green Bay Packers. He changed his position to safety and played for the Packers from 1960 to 1971. During this time, he helped the team win five NFL championships. After his playing career, he became a coach in different football leagues.
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College Football Journey
Willie Wood went to Armstrong High School in Washington, D.C.. After graduating in 1956, he moved to California to play college football. He started at Coalinga Junior College, where he was recognized as an All-American player.
In 1957, he transferred to the University of Southern California (USC). There, he made history as the first African-American quarterback in the Pacific Coast Conference, which is now called the Pac-12 Conference. Besides playing quarterback, Wood also played as a safety for the Trojans.
Amazing NFL Career
Willie Wood was not picked by any team in the 1960 NFL draft. However, he really wanted to play professional football. He wrote a letter to Vince Lombardi, the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, asking for a tryout. The Packers gave him a chance, and he joined them as a rookie player in 1960.
After a few days, Wood asked to switch from quarterback to defense. He became a free safety and quickly earned a starting spot in his first season. He remained a starter for the Packers until he retired in 1971.
Championship Wins
Wood was a key player for the Packers during their most successful years. He won All-NFL honors nine times between 1962 and 1971. He also played in the Pro Bowl eight times, which shows how consistently good he was.
He played in six NFL championship games and helped the Packers win five of them. His team won championships in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, and 1967.
Super Bowl Heroics
Willie Wood was the starting free safety for the Packers in the first two Super Bowl games. These were Super Bowl I against the Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl II against the Oakland Raiders.
In Super Bowl I, he made a very important interception. This play helped the Packers take control of the game in the second half and secure their victory. In Super Bowl II, he returned five punts for 35 yards. One of his returns was 31 yards long, which was a record for the longest punt return in a Super Bowl for many years.
He was also the NFL leader in interceptions and punt return yards in 1962.
Career Records
Willie Wood played 12 seasons in the NFL. During his career, he had 48 interceptions, returning them for a total of 699 yards and two touchdowns. He also gained 1,391 yards and scored two touchdowns from 187 punt returns. He holds the record for the most consecutive starts by a safety in NFL history.
After the 1971 season, Wood retired as a player. He was honored by being inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1977. Later, in 1989, he was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a huge honor for any football player.
Coaching Days
After his playing career ended in 1972, Willie Wood became a coach. He started as the defensive backs coach for the San Diego Chargers. In 1975, he became the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Bell in the World Football League (WFL).
Later that year, he made history by becoming the first African-American head coach in professional football in the modern era. The WFL league, however, stopped playing after only 11 games that season.
Wood also coached in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Toronto Argonauts. He became the first black head coach in the CFL in 1980.
Personal Life
Willie Wood had a son named Willie Wood Jr. His son also played and coached football, including in the Arena Football League.
In his later years, Willie Wood lived in Washington, D.C. He passed away on February 3, 2020, at the age of 83. He had been dealing with dementia. After his death, doctors found that he had a brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This condition is linked to repeated hits to the head.
In March 2012, a street in Washington, D.C., was named "Willie Wood Way" to honor him.
See also
In Spanish: Willie Wood para niños
