Bill McWatters
| Personal information | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born: | August 1, 1942 | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Teague | ||||||||
| College: | North Texas | ||||||||
| Position: | Fullback | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1964 / round: 8 / pick: 103 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Billie Pittman McWatters (born August 1, 1942) is a former American football fullback who played in the National Football League and in several minor leagues. He played college football at North Texas.
Early life and high school
McWatters was born and grew up in Donie, Texas and attended Teague High School. He was named All-Central Texas and All-District in football as a senior.[1]
College career
McWatters was a member of the North Texas State Eagles for three seasons. He became a starter as a sophomore and was used primarily as a blocking back.[2] McWatters left the team after his junior year to play professionally.
Professional career
McWatters was selected in the eighth round of the 1964 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.[3] In training camp as a rookie, Tom Franckhauser suffered a near-fatal and career-ending brain injury when he attempted to tackle McWatters during a scrimmage.[4] He played in 11 games with one start as rookie, serving mostly as the backup to Pro Bowl fullback Bill Brown and rushing for 60 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.[5][6] He then signed with the Florida Brahmans of the North American Football League.[7] He joined the Richmond Rebels of the Continental Football League in 1966.[8] McWatters was signed by the Richmond Roadrunners of the Atlantic Coast Football League in 1967 and played there for two seasons.[9]
References
- ^ "Four Repeaters Named To Super Centex Unit". Waco News-Tribune. December 6, 1959. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "20 Lettermen Help '63 Grid Outlook". The North Texan. February 1963. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ "Eight Eagles Try Pro Ranks; Smith On All-Star Unit". The North Texan. August 1964. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ Meier, Ted (July 29, 1964). "Emergency Surgery Saves Player's Life". The Sumter Daily Item. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ Maule, Tex (September 13, 1965). "THE DUTCHMAN IS HALF AN INCH AWAY". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "Bill McWatters Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "NFL Hand-Me-Downs Beat Brahmans 24-13". Tampa Tribune. September 20, 1965. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "Panthers 'Subs' run past Rebels 38-17". Orlando Sentinel. September 25, 1966. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "Full House for Toros-Richmond Struggle". San Antonio Express-News. October 15, 1967. Retrieved July 6, 2020.