Bill Simpson (American football)

Bill Simpson
No. 48, 45
PositionSafety
Personal information
Born (1951-12-05) December 5, 1951
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight184 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolShrine (Royal Oak, Michigan)
CollegeMichigan State
NFL draft1974: 2nd round, 50th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions34
Fumble recoveries10
Sacks5.0
Safeties1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

William Thomas Simpson (born December 5, 1951) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1982. Before his NFL career, he played defensive back and punted for Michigan State University and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1974 NFL draft. He was a standout athlete at Royal Oak Shrine High School and was elected to the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic High School League Hall of Fame in 2007.[1]

Professional career

Simpson played five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1974–1978) which culminated in his receiving several postseason awards. He finished his pro career with the Buffalo Bills (1980–1982), retiring with 34 interceptions and 9 more in postseason play.[2]

During the 1981 Wild Card playoff game, played on December 27, 1981, at Shea Stadium, Simpson intercepted a pass near the end zone in the closing seconds of the game to preserve a win for the Bills over the New York Jets

Personal life

Simpson is the father of Brett Simpson, a 2009 and 2010 US Open of Surfing champion.

References

  1. ^ "Archdiocese of Detroit". Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Home". pro-football-reference.com.