Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. Born William Karnet Willis in Columbus, Ohio. He played at the defensive and offensive guard positions for eight seasons (1946 to 1953) in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League with the Cleveland Browns. He was a member and key player on four AAFC championship teams (1946 to 1949 Browns) and one NFL championship team (1950 Browns). Along with fellow Hall of Fame teammate Marion Motley, Willis was one of the earliest African-Americans to play in professional football. An All-American during his collegiate years at Ohio State, Willis was a member of the 1942 National College Football Championship Team. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971. During the course of his career, Willis was selected to four AAFC All-Teams (1946 to 1949), four NFL All-Pro Teams (1950 to 1953) and three NFL Pro Bowls (1950 to 1952), while appearing in 52 AAFC and 47 NFL regular season games. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. Born William Karnet Willis in Columbus, Ohio. He played at the defensive and offensive guard positions for eight seasons (1946 to 1953) in the All-America Football Conference and National Football League with the Cleveland Browns. He was a member and key player on four AAFC championship teams (1946 to 1949 Browns) and one NFL championship team (1950 Browns). Along with fellow Hall of Fame teammate Marion Motley, Willis was one of the earliest African-Americans to play in professional football. An All-American during his collegiate years at Ohio State, Willis was a member of the 1942 National College Football Championship Team. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971. During the course of his career, Willis was selected to four AAFC All-Teams (1946 to 1949), four NFL All-Pro Teams (1950 to 1953) and three NFL Pro Bowls (1950 to 1952), while appearing in 52 AAFC and 47 NFL regular season games. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Bio by: C.S.
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Willis memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
