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7. Willie Wood

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7. Willie Wood

Willie Wood spent his entire career with the Green Bay Packers, and just to get there was a feat in itself.  Despite playing at high-profile USC, Wood went undrafted, likely due to being an African-American Quarterback at a time when they were not sought after in the NFL.  Wood wrote a letter to Packers’ Head Coach, Vince Lombardi to get a tryout, which worked out well for both parties, as Wood made the team.

With the Packers already having Bart Starr as their QB, Wood moved to Safety, which he also played in college.  Wood became a starter as a sophomore and led the NFL in Interceptions with 12 the following year.  Becoming one of the top Defensive Backs in the 1960s, Wood helped the Packers win five titles, and individually was twice a First Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowl Selection.  Wood netted 48 Interceptions over his career and was also a competent returner, even leading the league in Yards per Punt Return (13.3) in 1964, and finished in the top ten in Punt Return Yards six times.

Wood entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, 12 years after he entered the Packers Hall of Fame.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Safety
  • Acquired: Signed as an Undrafted Free Agent in the 1960 Draft.
  • Departed: Retired after the 1971 season.
  • Games Played: 166
  • Notable Statistics: 28 Games Started
    48 Interceptions
    699 Interception Return Yards
    2 Interception Return Touchdowns
    16 Fumble Recoveries
    39 Fumble Recovery Return Yards
    1.0 Quarterback Sacks*
    187 Punt Returns
    1,391 Punt Return Yards
    2 Punt Return Touchdowns
    3 Kick Returns
    20 Kick Return Yards
    1 Field Goal Attempt
    0 Field Goal Attempts
    1 Extra Point Attempt
    1 Extra Point Made
    122 Approximate Value

    9 Playoff Games
    2 Interceptions
    65 Interception Return Yards
    19 Punt Returns
    77 Punt Return Yards

    *Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NFL Champion (1961, 1962 & 1965)
    Super Bowl Champion (I & II)
    NFL Championship MVP (1962)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 & 1969)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (1962)
    Pro Bowl Selection (1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 & 1970)
    Most Yards per Punt Return (1961)
    Most Interceptions (1962)
Last modified on Tuesday, 12 July 2022 18:32

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