Willie Ellison

Willie Ellison
Position(s)
Running back
Jersey #(s)
33, 24
Born November 1, 1945 (1945-11-01) (age 66)
Lockhart, Texas
Career information
Year(s) 19671974
NFL Draft 1967 / Round: 2 / Pick: 33
College Texas Southern
Professional teams
Career stats
Rushing attempts 801
Rushing yards 3426
Rushing touchdowns 24
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards

William Henry Ellison (born November 1, 1945 in Lockhart, Texas) is a former American football running back who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs. Sporting #33, he spent his first four seasons in the NFL as backup behind Larry Smith, before taking over as starting tailback in 1971. On December 5, 1971 against the New Orleans Saints he rushed 26 times for 247 yards thus breaking Cookie Gilchrist's pro football record of 243 yards.[1] The NFL record at the time was held by Jim Brown, who ran 237 against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. Ellison was subsequently named NFL Offensive Player of the Week by the Associated Press.[2] Eillison went on to the Pro Bowl after the 1971 NFL season. He played college football at Texas Southern.

References

Records
Preceded by
Jim Brown
NFL single-game rushing record
December 5, 1971 – September 16, 1973
Succeeded by
O. J. Simpson