Bill Dudley
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William McGarvey Dudley (December 24, 1921 – February 4, 2010), nicknamed "Bullet Bill", was an American football halfback, safety and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Detroit Lions, and the Washington Redskins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.[1][2][3]
Early life
Dudley was born in
College career
At the age of 16, Dudley was awarded an
By his third year, Dudley started every game and was the
NFL rookie season (1942)
Dudley was
Military service (1943–45)
In 1942, the
Dudley went through
Return to the NFL (1945–53)
Dudley returned to Pittsburgh that fall and rejoined the Steelers's team for the last four games of the
In
"Despite his lack of breakaway speed, Bill was the most
feared kickoff returner in the game. He passed sidearm,
like a kid, yet he had a fine completion average. He was
'too small,' but he was hardly ever hurt too badly to play.
He was the league's top ground gainer, yet he was also one
of the fiercest defensive tacklers and the best in the game at
interceptions. As one of the men who faced him ruefully admitted,
Bill could not throw a pass correctly and 'ran as if he was
staggering,' yet he could always find a way to beat you."
Journalist Robert Smith, on Dudley's ability.[5]
Dudley was traded to the Detroit Lions after 1946, where he was offered a three-year contract and $20,000 a season. He was elected captain of his team all three years, 1947–1949.[4] During his first year with the Lions, the team finished last. On October 19, 1947, against the Chicago Bears, Dudley returned a punt for an 84-yard touchdown. During 1947, he scored 13 touchdowns; seven on pass receptions, four on runs from scrimmage, one on a punt return, one on kickoff return and throwing two. In his last season with the Lions, he led Detroit in scoring for the third year in a row.[4]
At the end of the
Dudley was named first- or second-team All-NFL six times in his career and was named to three Pro Bowls.[7] During his nine pro seasons, Dudley gained 3,057 yards on 765 rushing attempts, a 4.0 average, and scored 20 touchdowns; caught 123 passes for 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns; returned 124 punts for 1,515 yards and three touchdowns; ran back 78 kickoffs for 1,743 yards and one touchdown; intercepted 23 passes and returned them for 459 yards and two touchdowns; and punted 191 times for a 38.2-yard average. He added 121 extra points and 33 field goals to his 44 touchdowns for a total of 484 points.[9] Dudley led his team in scoring during every one of his nine NFL seasons.[5]
Dudley is the only player ever with a rushing touchdown, touchdown reception, punt return for touchdown, kickoff return for touchdown, interception return for touchdown, fumble return for a touchdown, and a touchdown pass. He also had a touchdown via lateral and kicked PATs and field goals.
After football
After retiring, Dudley was a scout for the Steelers and the Lions. In 1951, he then entered the insurance business in Lynchburg, Virginia with his brother Jim.[4]
Dudley was elected to the
Dudley served four terms in the Virginia House of Delegates.[6]
Dudley suffered a massive stroke on January 30, 2010.[10] He died in his home in Lynchburg, Virginia on February 4, 2010.[11]
See also
References
- ^ Obituary The New York Times, February 5, 2010.
- ^ Obituary The Washington Post, February 10, 2010.
- ^ Obituary Los Angeles Times, February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Biography: You can't stop the "Bullet"". Bill Dudley official site. Archived from the original on June 15, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "The Coffin Corner: Vol. 18, No. 4 (1996) Bullet Bill Dudley" (PDF). Pro Football Researchers. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2008.
- ^ a b "Dudley's College Football HOF profile". College Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ a b "Dudley's Pro Football HOF profile". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved July 12, 2008.
- ^ "Most Valuable Players — 1946: Bill Dudley, Pittsburgh Steelers," Pro Football Illustrated, 1947. Mt. Morris, IL: Elbak Publishing Co., 1947; p. 17.
- ^ "Dudley, "Bullet Bill" (William McG.)". HickokSports. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
- ^ Former Steelers star Dudley dies at 88 ESPN, Associated Press story. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
- ^ Heather Dinich, Virginia's Bill Dudley dies at 88 ESPN. Retrieved February 4, 2010.
Further reading
- Whittingham, Richard (2002). What a Game They Played: An Inside Look at the Golden Era of Pro Football. Lincoln, Neb.: University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 978-0-8032-9819-4.
- Stinson, Steve (2016). Bullet Bill Dudley – Greatest 60 Minute Man in Football. Lyons Press. ISBN 978-1493018154.
- Sullivan, George (1972). The Great Running Backs. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. pp. 74–79. ISBN 0-399-11026-7.
External links
- Bill Dudley at the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Bill Dudley at the College Football Hall of Fame
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
- Bill Dudley at Find a Grave