William Fuller (football player)
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- For other persons named William Fuller, see William Fuller.
| William Fuller | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | March 8, 1961 |
| Place of birth |  Norfolk, VA |
| Position(s) | Defensive end |
| College | North Carolina |
| Pro Bowls | 1991, 1994, 1995, 1996 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1986-1993 1994-96 1997-1998 |
Houston Oilers Philadelphia Eagles San Diego Chargers |
William Fuller (born March 8, 1962 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a retired American football player who played defensive end for 13 seasons in the NFL. Fuller played collegiately for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and professionally for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers. Fuller was one of the better pass rushers in the NFL during his time in the league and finished his career with 100.5 sacks. Fuller was named to the Pro Bowl four times and also played professionally for the Philadelphia Stars in the USFL.
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[edit] Early life and college
Fuller grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia and attended Indian River High School,[1][2] where he lettered in track, basketball, and football.[2] Fuller graduated from Indian River in 1980,[1] and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fuller played defensive line for the Tar Heels, as a senior he had 81 tackles, a team-leading five sacks, and 17 tackles for a loss.[3] For his efforts that season he was awarded All-America and first-team All-ACC honors as well as UNC's defensive MVP award.[3][4] Fuller was also a finalist for the Lombardi and Outland Trophies,[3] special awards designated only for linemen. He graduated in 1983 and received a degree in psychology.[2] Fuller was later inducted into UNC's sports hall of fame.[4]
[edit] Professional biography
Fuller was selected by the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL in the 1984 USFL player draft.[5] He was also selected with the 21st selection in the first round of the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.[5] Fuller decided to play in the USFL with the Stars, where he played for two seasons, winning two USFL championships and playing with future NFL players such as Bart Oates and Sam Mills. Fuller was granted free agency by the USFL in 1986 and his rights were subsequently traded by the Rams to the Houston Oilers where he started his career in the NFL. While with the Oilers in 1991 Fuller recorded 15 sacks,[6] and was name to his first Pro Bowl.[5] After the 1993 season Fuller signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles,[5] and subsequently played three stellar seasons in 1994, 1995, and 1996. He recorded 9.5 sacks in his first season there (1994) and set a team record for most consecutive games with a sack at seven.[7][8] Fuller had 13 sacks in each of the following two seasons (1995 and 1996),[6] and was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with the Eagles.[5] After the 1996 season Fuller signed a two year $5.6 million dollar contract with the San Diego Chargers, while there his production steeply declined.[9] After two seasons, in which he recorded 3 sacks each,[6] Fuller retired following the 1998 season. By the time his NFL career ended Fuller had recorded 100.5 sacks becoming one of the few players in NFL history to record more than 100 sacks.[10]
[edit] Personal life
Fuller has four daughters by his wife Precilla, Karen (February 9, 1984), Krystal (August 4, 1988), Kimberley (May 31, 1992), and Kalisa (November 27, 1997).[2][4] Shortly before the 1995 season Fuller's father, who was blind at the time due to Diabetes, died.[11] Fuller and his father were very close and had filmed a United Way and the NFL commercial together during the offseason.[11] The commerical, which featured an organization for the blind, was not aired until two days after his father's death.[11] Fuller is also a noted philanthropist, who was actively involved in programs relating to Juvenile diabetes, Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House and the Boys' Clubs of America during his time in the NFL.[3] He also hosts the William Fuller Tournament in Houston for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.[4] The event has raised over $1 million dollars for research to cure diabetes.[4] Fuller currently owns and operates his own real estate company, which is based in Norfolk.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Robinson, Tom. You can go home again; Just ask William Fuller, The Virginian-Pilot, March 28, 1996, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ a b c d William Fuller, espn.com, accessed February 27, 2007.
- ^ a b c d William Fuller, chargers-stats.com, accessed February 27, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f The Class of 2004: William Fuller, virginiasportshalloffame.com, accessed March 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e William Fuller, sportingnews.com, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ a b c William Fuller, databasefootball.com, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ William Fuller Career notes, espn.com, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ Eagles Timeline, philadelphiaeagles.com, accessed February 27, 2007.
- ^ King, Peter. Inside the NFL: Dispatches, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, November 19, 1997, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ All time leaders: sacks, espn.com, accessed February 26, 2007.
- ^ a b c Ducibella, Jim. Injury only compounds Fuller's season of grief, The Virginian-Pilot, October 15, 1995, accessed February 26, 2007.
Categories: North Carolina Tar Heels football players | Houston Oilers players | People from Chesapeake, Virginia | Philadelphia Eagles players | San Diego Chargers players | 1962 births | Living people | American Conference Pro Bowl players | National Conference Pro Bowl players | United States Football League players | American football defensive ends
