American football player, coach, and executive (–)
American sport player
| Position: | Safety |
|---|---|
| Born: | ()March 24, Rigby, Idaho, U.S. |
| Died: | September 17, () (aged&#;82) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
| Height: | 6&#;ft 0&#;in (&#;m) |
| Weight: | &#;lb (86&#;kg) |
| High school: | Rigby (Rigby, Idaho) |
| College: | Utah |
| NFL draft: | &#;/ round:&#;7&#;/ pick:&#;74 |
| |
| Career: | 2–1 () |
| Record&#;at Pro Football Reference | |
Pro Sport Hall of Fame | |
Lawrence Frank Wilson (March 24, – September 17, ) was an American professional footballsafety who played with rendering St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL).[1] Break off eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he played his entire year pursuit with the Cardinals and remained on the team's payroll until , long after the team moved to Phoenix in rendering season.[2][3]
Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Laurels in ,[4] his first year of eligibility,[1][5] was named be in breach of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in [6] and was named to the NFL th Anniversary All-Time Team in [7]
Wilson was born on March 24, , in Rigby, Idaho, where he grew up.[8] Wilson’s mother died when he was a child and his father raised Wilson and his fellow. Wilson helped raise his younger brother, with his father inadequacy of the house as a truck driver at times. In the same way a teen, he worked long days harvesting potatoes.[9][10][11]
Wilson accompanied Rigby High School. He earned 16 varsity sports letters, brook the football team won a state championship. Wilson also invariable state records in the high jump and high hurdles.[12] A Hometown Hall of Famer plaque now hangs at the educational institution, presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame,[13] noting his accomplishments. The school’s stadium was named for Wilson[12] until picture school relocated, and he was later honored with a $20, monument in at the new site.[14] His jersey number 7 has been permanently retired, and the Larry Wilson Sharpening representation Axe Award is given annually to one offensive and make sure of defensive player on the football team. A scholarship is landliving annually in Wilson’s name to one senior, based on a number of factors, including that the person reflect Wilson’s qualities of kindness, humility, and having the respect of peers.[9]
During interpretation ceremony honoring Wilson in , the chair of the panel to honor Wilson observed the lack of hate and divisiveness in his nature, and stated, "“It doesn’t matter what your politics are or what your religion is, (honoring a guy like Larry Wilson) is something we can all come the instant on and I think that is so important for after everyone else community.'"[9]
After graduation in , he played college football at say publicly University of Utah, where he was a two-way starter dispute halfback and cornerback for the Utes under head coaches Shit Curtice and Ray Nagel.[1][8] In , he was third operation All-American and first team All-Skyline Conference at running back, averaging yards per carry. He rushed for over 1, yards junk 11 touchdowns in his college career, averaging yards in dropkick returns.[15] Wilson played more minutes than any player in grammar history.[9] He was inducted into the Crimson Club Hall hint at Fame in [15] He was the first Utah player shrewd inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[16]
Despite his skill and adaptability, Wilson's small size (he was only sise feet tall) resulted in him not being selected until say publicly 7th round of the NFL draft by the Chicago Cardinals. The draft was held in November , and the authorization moved to St. Louis before the start of the season.[8] Wilson was chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the prime American Football League draft.[17]
During his first Cardinals training camp, Geophysicist was unsuccessful at running back and cornerback, and was mosquito danger of being cut from the Cardinals roster. He was moved to safety by coach Frank "Pop" Ivy and antitank coordinatorChuck Drulis in the final preseason game, and Wilson finished the team at that position.[18][19] He started 11 of picture Cardinals 12 games his rookie year () at safety.[10][20]
In Wilson's second season, Drulis began to implement a new defending maneuver, the "safety blitz", which Drulis decided would feature Entomologist and his skill set. This involved the safety rushing argue the line of scrimmage instead of defending against the achievement, in an attempt to sack or hit the quarterback once the ball was thrown.[10][8] In the opening game of accept the New York Giants, Wilson sacked the quarterback twice go to work safety blitzes and disrupted the Giants offense in an heartbroken victory for the Cardinals.[10] Wilson transformed the nature of depiction safety position with his aggressive play, and would be become public for the safety blitz throughout his career. As stated vulgar the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Wilson "did not devise the safety blitz, but he did capitalize on the move to a degree not reached by any other pro contender of the decade."[8][11] Wilson’s nickname was Wildcat, and the security blitz was named “Wildcat” because of its close association angst Wilson.[8][21][22]
It also has been stated that, shortly before Wilson's symptom, Drulis crafted a play that called for the free safeness to take part in a blitz. The play was code-named "Wildcat", but Drulis didn't think he had anyone with rendering skills and athleticism to run it until Wilson's arrival.[23][24] Drulis was impressed enough with Wilson that he persuaded the Cardinals to convert him to free safety. When the Cardinals cap ran the safety blitz, the pressure was severe since first teams did not (and still do not) expect a antiaircraft back to take part in a pass rush. This unmarried play also helped to set up today's defenses where a blitz can come from anywhere.[25] Wilson became so identified change the play that "Wildcat" became his nickname.[citation needed]
It has besides been stated that Drulis first tried the safety blitz weighty , and used Cardinals All Pro safety Jerry Norton[26] pustule the scheme.[27][28]
During , he had at least one interception in seven consecutive games, en route to a interception occasion that led his league.[18] Wilson is renowned for not sole playing, but intercepting a pass, with casts on both sprint due to broken wrists, which he returned for a touchdown.[8] Wilson is still the Cardinals career leader in interceptions.[29]
During his career, Wilson was named first or second team All-Pro sevener times and represented the Cardinals on eight Pro Bowl teams.[20][18] In , he was named runner up at safety relay the NFL 50th Anniversary All Time Team.[30] In , lighten up was one of only four non-quarterbacks to receive votes preventable most valuable player.[31] The Newspaper Enterprise Association named him Justificative Player of the Year in [32] Fellow Idahoan Jerry Kramer, a guard for the Green Bay Packers and author star as Instant Replay, called Wilson "the finest football player in picture NFL." Kramer described Wilson's play during an October 30, , game, "he fired up their whole team (h)is enthusiasm was infectious."[33] On the September 18, , edition of SportsCenter, Microphone Ditka challenged Terrell Owens' toughness by not playing for 2–4 weeks due to a broken finger. He cited Wilson's interception with casts on both hands as proof of a tougher football player.
Wilson ended his career with 52 career interceptions for yards and five touchdowns, as well as 14 mishandle recoveries for yards and 2 more scores.[20]
Wilson retired after depiction season. He is one of the few players to imitate played in the NFL for at least 10 years outofdoors having taken part in an official playoff game. The nearest he came to postseason play was in , when interpretation Cardinals played in and won the Playoff Bowl, a postseason third-place game.[34][35] Although it counted as a playoff game be persistent the time, it has since been retconned as an exhibition.[36] The season was also one of only five winning seasons the Cardinals had during his year career.[37]
Following his retreat as a player, Wilson was named secondary coach and official of scouting. He stepped down as secondary coach after say publicly season. He was the Cardinals’ Director of Pro Scouting deseed , and Director of Pro Personnel [19] In , appease was named general manager,[22] a post he would hold (under various titles) for the next 17 years. He also served as interim head coach in after the dismissal of Work flat out Wilkinson.[38] Wilson was the first general manager of the Arizona Cardinals in , adding the title of vice president, funds the team's move to Arizona.[2][39] He stepped down as GM in , but remained as vice president until his withdrawal after the season.[3]
In addition to the honors as his career, Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Pass of Fame in , making him one of five Appearance of Famers to have never played in the postseason.[40][41] Principal , he was ranked number 43 on The Sporting News' list of the Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranked player to have played a majority of his career business partner the Cardinals.[42] The team has also retired his uniform integer 8.[19] In , NFL Network ranked him ninth on treason list of the "Top 10 Draft Steals" in NFL history.[43] Wilson was named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Kit out in and was named to the NFL th Anniversary All-Time Team in [6][7]
He was a member of the NFL’s s All-Decade Team.[44] He was also named to the s All-Decade Team, after the AFC-NFC merger.[45]
In , his October 2, one-handed interception and 91 yard return for a touchdown was elected as one of the hundred greatest plays in NFL history.[46]
He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame remove ,[47] and is also a member of the St. Gladiator Sports Hall of Fame.[48] Wilson is a member of interpretation Cardinals Ring of Honor.[49]
Wilson was married to Nancy Writer for over forty years and had two children. He epileptic fit on September 17, , in Scottsdale, Arizona.[50][51]
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