Bill Bradley (American football)
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| Bill Bradley | |
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| Date of birth: | January 24, 1947 |
| Place of birth: |  Palestine, TX |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Cornerback Safety Punter |
| College: | Texas |
| NFL Draft: | 1969 / Round: 3 / Pick: 69 |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1969-1976 1977 |
Philadelphia Eagles St. Louis Cardinals |
| Career highlights and Awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 1971, 1972, 1973 |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
William Calvin Bradley (born January 24, 1947) is a former American football player at defensive back, holder, returner, and punter in the National Football League. He played with the Philadelphia Eagles for most of his career. He currently serves as the defensive backfield coach for the San Diego Chargers, with whom he signed a two-year contract in February 2007. A former defensive-secondary coach with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, Bradley had been defensive coordinator at Baylor University since 2004, where he worked under head coach Guy Morriss, a former teammate with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A native of Palestine, Texas, Bradley was a renowned quarterback at Palestine High School, where his running and passing skills gained him selection as a high school All American. His remarkable talents, including the reputed ability to pass with either hand, earned him the nickname "Super Bill." He entered the University of Texas at Austin in 1965 and joined Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, with great expectations and became the starting quarterback in 1966 as a sophomore. While a good running quarterback, he was never able to play up to his vaunted nickname, and eventually he was replaced at quarterback by James Street, who became a legend in his own right, coinciding with Texas's switch to the wishbone formation on offense. After a brief trial at wide receiver, he found his true calling at defensive back.
Bradley recorded a UT single-game record of four interceptions in the Longhorns' 35-14 win over Texas A&M as a senior, a mark that still stands as the best-ever by a Southwest Conference performer. He played in the 1969 Hula Bowl, the Coaches All-America Game and the College All-Star Game. Bradley earned UT's 1968 D.H. Byrd Leadership Award.
Bradley was selected in the third round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He went on to earn three All-Pro selections (1971-73) at free safety. In addition, he served as the Eagles' punter and kick returner. Bradley, who led the NFL in interceptions in both 1971 (11) and 1972 (9), became the first player ever to lead the league in interceptions in consecutive seasons, a feat that has been matched only once since.
Bradley is a member of the Texas High School, University of Texas and Philadelphia Eagles halls of fame.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Marvin Kristynik |
University of Texas Quarterback 1966-1968 |
Succeeded by James Street |
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