Norm Willey
American football player (1927–2011)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Norman Earle Willey (August 22, 1927 – August 18, 2011) was an American professional football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles. He went to two Pro Bowls during his eight-year career and was credited with an unofficial 17 sacks in one game which would be an NFL record today.[1]
Hastings, West Virginia, U.S.
Newark, Delaware, U.S.
Willey on a 1954 Bowman football card | |||||||||||
| No. 44, 63, 86 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Defensive end, end, guard | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born | August 22, 1927 Hastings, West Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Died | August 18, 2011 (aged 83) Newark, Delaware, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Listed weight | 224 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| College | Marshall | ||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1950: 13th round, 170th overall pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Professional career
Willey played college football at Marshall University and was selected in the thirteenth round of the 1950 NFL draft.[2] Willey was drafted as a fullback, however, he was moved to defensive end by Eagles coach Greasy Neale.[2]
In a 1952 game against the New York Giants, Willey was reported to have sacked Giants quarterback Charlie Conerly 17 times.[2] However, this number has been disputed, with Paul Zimmerman crediting Willey with only eight sacks, which would still be an NFL record.[2]
In 1954, Willey was part of an Eagles defensive line that was dubbed the "Suicide Seven".[3] That season, Willey was named a first team All-Pro, and made the Pro Bowl for the first time.[2] Willey also made the Pro Bowl during the 1955 season.[2]
Willey broke his leg during the 1956 season, and never fully recovered as a player.[2] He retired following the 1957 season.[2]
Post-career life
Willey went on after his NFL career to teach physical education and coach football at Pennsville Memorial High School in Pennsville Township, New Jersey; the Norm Willey Boot trophy is awarded annually to the winner of annual football game between Pennsville and Penns Grove High School.[4]
In 2003, Willey was elected into the Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame for his career in football and basketball.[5]
Wiley died on August 18, 2011, aged 83, only four days short of his 84th birthday.[6]
In remembrance of Willey, the Pennsville Memorial High School football team represented his initials on each of their helmets during the 2011 season.
