Pro Football Historian (PFH) is a blog page written by Flint Given. Pro Football Historian or PFH is a page to inform people on prior NFL events that people might not know about. Learning about teams from the 1920s or even the first few NFL World Championships in the 1930s fascinates me. It's these kinds of events that I want to discuss in this blog. Hopefully you are interested and will continue to check up on my blogs.
William Patrick Polian Jr. is an American former professional football executive. He rose to league prominence as the general manager of the Buffalo Bills, building a team that participated in four straight Super Bowls—the most consecutive appearances by any team—but lost each time. Following his stint in Buffalo, Polian went on to become the general manager of the expansion Carolina Panthers. He then served as general manager and team president of the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League from 1998 to 2011, where they reached two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI. He subsequently served as an NFL analyst for ESPN. Polian was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015. Polian co-founded the now-defunct Alliance of American Football in 2018.
Throughout the course of his career, Polian was awarded the NFL Executive of the Year award an NFL record six times, winning it twice with the Bills, twice with the Panthers, and twice with the Colts.
Polian began his career in professional football as a scout for the Montreal Alouettes in 1976, followed Marv Levy to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978, eventually leaving the team in 1982 and joining the Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League, as personnel director in 1983. The Blitz shut down in 1984, and Polian moved back to the Canadian Football League, where he assembled a Grey Cup winning team with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Early on in his career, he was a coach for the now defunct football teams at Manhattan College and the Trinity School, both in New York City.
Polian was general manager for the Buffalo Bills from 1986 to 1992. When Polian was promoted to general manager of the Bills on December 30, 1985, the Bills were suffering from back-to-back 2–14 seasons and fan interest was at an all-time low. Polian was originally hired as director of pro personnel for the Bills on August 2, 1984. Polian was instrumental in the signing of Bruce Smith to his first NFL contract, after which he was promoted to GM in 1985. While GM of the Bills, Polian won the NFL Executive of the Year Award twice, in 1988 and in 1991. After the 1992 season, on February 4, 1993, after the Bills had appeared in, and lost, their third straight Super Bowl, Polian was fired as general manager.
In 2012, Polian became the 28th inductee into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.
Polian was general manager of the Carolina Panthers from 1995 to 1997. He tried to create the quickest Super Bowl winner in history, and nearly did so, building a team that went to the NFC Championship Game in only its second year of existence. This feat led him to a promotion, becoming not just the GM, but the president of the Indianapolis Colts.
In 1998, Polian was hired as president and decided to build through the draft as the Indianapolis Colts would have the No. 1 overall pick for 1998; the Colts picked Peyton Manning. In 2002, Polian hired head coach Tony Dungy.
During his tenure, the Colts led the NFL with eight consecutive playoff appearances and seven consecutive seasons of 12 or more regular-season victories. They won seven division titles (1999, 2003–07, 09), won Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears, and made a second Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XLIV under coach Jim Caldwell but lost to the New Orleans Saints. From 2000 to 2009, the Colts (115–45) set the NFL mark for most wins in a decade, and their nine playoff berths tied the NFL record set by Dallas in the 1970s. Polian stepped down as general manager in 2009, being succeeded by his son Chris, but remained with the team as president and vice-chairman.
In 2006, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, Polian reportedly shoved a New York Jets employee by pinning him against a wall, for placing speakers too close to the field during warmups. The league required Polian to issue a written apology to the Jets employee.
Polian and his son Chris were fired by owner Jim Irsay after the Colts finished with a 2–14 record in the 2011 season.
On January 31, 2015, it was announced that Polian had been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On January 1, 2017, Polian became the 13th inductee into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor.
In March 2018, Polian announced the creation of an off-season professional football league, called the Alliance of American Football, which he co-founded with Charlie Ebersol. The league began playing in February 2019, with television broadcasts produced by CBS Sports, and airing on CBS, CBS Sports Network, TNT, and NFL Network. On April 2, 2019, the league's football operations were suspended by controlling owner Thomas Dundon, who purchased his stake in the league shortly after it began play.
In January 2022, the Chicago Bears brought in Polian to help lead their search for a new head coach and general manager. The Bears went on to hire Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Kansas City Chiefs director of player personnel Ryan Poles for the respective positions.
Polian is married to Eileen and has four kids: Lynn, Chris, Brian, and Dennis. Polian has nine grandkids: Annie, William, Jack, Caroline, Kate, Aidan, Charlotte, Finn, and Millie. Polian joined ESPN in 2012 as an NFL analyst.
Sources
Vecsey, George (December 14, 1990). "Bronx Man Comes Home, Sort Of". New York Times. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
"Bill Polian". Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
Garfien, Chuck (February 1, 2017). "The story of the Chicago Blitz and the craziest trade in sports history". NBC Sports Chicago. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
"Player BIO | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site". www.profootballhof.com. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
"Bill Polian". Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. July 25, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
Choinski, Bill (October 7, 2011). "1985 Buffalo Bills – The Cornerstone". BillsZone.com. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
Turney, John (February 20, 2018). "NFL Executive of the Year Awards". Pro Football Journal. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
Gaughan, Mark (February 5, 1993). "Polian firing shocks players". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
Carucci, Vic (February 7, 1993). "Wilson confirms 'friction' led to Polian firing". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
"Finally, Carolina Panthers give Dave Gettleman his shot | CharlotteObserver.com". www.charlotteobserver.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
Shaugnessy, Dan (November 3, 2006). "To battle, on and about the field". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
Farmer, Sam (October 22, 2006). "Unable, and perhaps unwilling, to perform". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
"Peyton Manning: Firing 'very tough'". ESPN.com. January 3, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
Wells, Mike (January 31, 2015). "Former Colts general manager Bill Polian selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
Davis, Victoria T. (January 1, 2017). "Bill Polian inducted into Colts Ring of Honor". TheIndyChannel.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
Pedersen, Erik (March 20, 2018). "New Pro Football League Leapfrogs XFL, Unveils Plans For 2019 Kickoff & CBS Deal". Deadline. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
Spangler, Todd (March 20, 2018). "New Pro Football League Sets 2019 Debut With CBS Sports Pact". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
Kercheval, Ben (April 2, 2019). "AAF operations suspended, league's future in doubt after eight games of first season". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
"AAF to immediately suspend operations". ESPN. ESPN. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
Mayer, Larry. "Quick Hits: Polian 'a great resource' to Bears". Chicago Bears.
Finley, Patrick (January 31, 2022). "Ryan Poles: Matt Eberflus' defensive style got my attention". Chicago Sun-Times.
"Bill Polian - My Life of Dad - Life of Dad". Life of Dad. October 20, 2014. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
Keefer, Zak. "How Polian turned the Colts and became a Hall of Famer". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
"Bill Polian: NFL Front Office Insider". ESPNMediaZone.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
Charles Lewis Haley is an American former professional football player in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers (1986–1991, 1998–1999) and Dallas Cowboys (1992–1996).
Haley began his career as a specialty outside linebacker, then played as a defensive end because of a defensive scheme change from the 3–4 to the 4–3 defense. He was the first five-time Super Bowl champion; only Tom Brady, with seven titles, has won more. He won two Super Bowls with the 49ers (XXIII, XXIV) and three with the Cowboys (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX); starting in all five championship games. Haley was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Haley was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round (96th overall) of the 1986 NFL draft, after dropping because he was initially timed at 4.8 seconds in the 40-yard dash, although he was later clocked by a 49ers scout at 4.55 seconds. He played outside linebacker in a 3–4 defense, finished second behind Leslie O'Neal for rookies with 12 sacks and was voted to the NFL All-Rookie team by Pro Football Weekly and the United Press International. The following year, he played again in a designated pass rusher role, coming into the game in likely passing situations, while making 25 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
In 1988, Haley was named the starter at left outside linebacker, registering 69 tackles, 11.5 sacks and would hold that spot through the 1991 season. The next year, he tallied 57 tackles and 10.5 sacks.
In 1990, Haley had 58 tackles and 9 passes defensed. He was third in the league with 16 sacks, voted the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year, and a consensus All-Pro.
In 1991, Haley's relationship with the organization began to deteriorate after safety Ronnie Lott was left unprotected eligible to sign with any team under Plan B free agency. He still recorded 53 tackles, 6 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 7 sacks, tying for the team lead with Larry Roberts. While with the 49ers from 1986 to 1991, he led the team in sacks every season, and played on the Super Bowl XXIII and Super Bowl XXIV championship teams.
On August 26, 1992, Haley's volatile temperament and clashes with head coach George Seifert prompted the team to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 1993 second round selection (#56-Vincent Brisby) and a 1994 third round selection (#99-Alai Kalaniuvalu).
In 1992, Haley was moved to right defensive end in the Dallas Cowboys 4–3 defense, made 39 tackles, 6 sacks, and 42 quarterback pressures (led the team), and helped the team improve from 17th in total defense in 1991 to first. Haley received the UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year Award and was a consensus All-Pro once again. He is often mentioned as the final piece that helped propel the Cowboys into a Super Bowl contender.
In 1993, Haley made headlines after smashing his helmet through a concrete wall in the locker room following a home loss to the Buffalo Bills, showing his displeasure with the team's inability to sign holdout running back Emmitt Smith, which contributed to an 0–2 start and put the season in jeopardy. The Cowboys relented and reached an agreement with Smith the following week, getting them back on track and making them the first team to win a Super Bowl after starting a season 0–2. Haley registered 41 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 passes defensed, and 3 forced fumbles, but his recurring back problems began to require a series of surgeries.
In 1994, Haley recovered from off-season surgery (lumbar microdiscectomy) to post 68 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 52 quarterback pressures. He immediately announced his retirement after losing 38–28 to the 49ers in the NFC Championship game, but decided to return after being offered a new contract.
In 1995, Haley posted 10.5 sacks, 33 quarterback pressures, and 35 tackles in the first 10 games, until suffering a ruptured disk against the Washington Redskins, which derailed his season. He started in Super Bowl XXX six weeks after having back surgery, making one sack, 3 quarterback pressures, and 5 tackles. The next year, with the team trying to limit him to 30 plays per game, he appeared in the first three contests and in week 9 and 10 before being deactivated with a back injury. He retired after the season, because of his back injuries and his youngest daughter Brianna being diagnosed with leukemia.
On January 2, 1998, Haley was signed by the 49ers after being out of football for almost two years to provide depth for an injury depleted defensive line in the playoffs (2 games). He was re-signed for the 1999 season and tallied 3 sacks.
In his 12 NFL seasons, Haley recorded 100.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions (nine return yards), and eight fumble recoveries, which he returned for nine yards and a touchdown. He was also selected to play in five Pro Bowls (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995) and was named NFL All-Pro in 1990 and 1994. In his first four seasons in Dallas, he was on three Super Bowl-winning teams: in 1992 (XXVII), 1993 (XXVIII), and 1995 (XXX). He was the first player with more than four Super Bowl Rings.
Haley was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015 after several years of eligibility and his bust was sculpted by Scott Myers. Haley felt that his election may have been delayed by his image and behavior: "I thought that what you do on the field would govern whether you get in the Hall". On August 8, 2015, Haley was inducted at the Enshrinement Ceremony where his bust was unveiled. He was also inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2015.
Prior to that, Haley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. He was enshrined into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor on November 6, 2011.
After football, Haley was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and began to undergo therapy and to take medication. Haley was an assistant defensive coach for the Detroit Lions from 2001 to 2002. He is a special advisor mentoring rookies for both the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. He also has dedicated his life to help fund several local initiatives with organizations such as Jubilee Centre and The Salvation Army. He is the founder of Tackle Tomorrow which provides struggling schools in the Dallas area with reading programs and special teachers to help students improve their reading skills. Tackle Tomorrow is an active foundation with support from the Dallas community and other Cowboys such as Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, Tony Tolbert, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and many others.
His daughter, Madison Haley, is a professional soccer player who currently plays for Brighton and Hove Albion in the Women's Premier League in England.
Sources
Sordelett, Damien (August 8, 2015). "William Campbell football standout Charles Haley to be inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame". The News & Advance. Lynchburg, Virginia. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
Michael, Gary (August 4, 2015). "Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 1". JMUSports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
Michael, Gary (August 5, 2015). "Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 2". JMUSports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
Michael, Gary (August 6, 2015). "Charles Haley: JMU Standout to NFL Hall of Famer – Part 3". JMUSports.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Former JMU All-American Haley Elected to College Football Hall of Fame". JMUSports.com. May 27, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"1986 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
Richards, Charles (August 27, 1992). "Haley traded to Cowboys". The Free Lance–Star. Fredericksburg, Virginia. Associated Press. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Haley's return to be one of universal wonder". Boca Raton News. Boca Raton, Florida. Associated Press. January 13, 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Charles Haley 1992 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
"1992 Dallas Cowboys Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
Archer, Todd (January 30, 2015). "2015 Hall of Fame finalist: Charles Haley". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Cowboys in chaos". Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. Associated Press. September 14, 1993. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Charles Haley 1993 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
"Charles Haley 1994 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
"Cowboys' Haley Sacks Plans To Retire". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas. Associated Press. March 8, 1995. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Charles Haley 1995 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
"Cowboys' Haley Retires Again". The Item. Sumter, South Carolina. Associated Press. December 5, 1995. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Cowboys' Haley ready to return". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Press. January 24, 1996. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Cowboys' Haley Faces Surgery Again". Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. November 15, 1996. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Dallas Loses Two Greats In Haley And Novacek". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. July 16, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Charles Haley trying to find bone marrow donor for daughter". The Argus-Press. Owosso, Michigan. Associated Press. November 16, 1997. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"San Francisco Plans To Bring Charles Haley Back". Boca Raton News. Boca Raton, Florida. January 2, 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
"Haley sticks with Niners". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. July 22, 1999. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
Gutierrez, Paul (February 1, 2015). "Former 49ers linebacker Charles Haley selected to Pro Football Hall of Fame". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
Watkins, Calvin (November 7, 2011). "Drew Pearson, Charles Haley honored". ESPN. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
Rugari, Vince (February 9, 2023). "'He knows to stay in his lane': Daughter of NF royalty making her own name with Sydney FC". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
Timothy Donell Brown is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to do so. He spent sixteen years with the Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the NFL's greatest wide receivers of all time. Brown has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2015, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As of 2023, Brown serves as the league chairman and commissioner of The Arena League, an indoor football league that began play in 2024.
Brown was selected by the Los Angeles Raiders in the first round with the sixth overall pick of the 1988 NFL draft. In his first NFL season, he led the league in kickoff returns, return yards, and yards per return average. Though it took time for him to fill into the role as the team's #1 receiver, catching just 147 passes in his first five seasons, he went on to rack up 9 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 1993 to 2001. He also led the NFL in punt returns in 1994, and receptions in 1997. In March 1994, Brown was offered and signed a free-agent offer-sheet with the Denver Broncos. The Raiders matched the offer soon thereafter. He was voted to the Pro Bowl nine times, in 1988 and 1991 as a kick returner, and in 1993–97, 1999 and 2001 as a receiver. In 2001, Brown would later play alongside another well-known wide receiver, Jerry Rice. On December 9, 2001, Brown returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown in a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, making him the oldest player in NFL history to score a touchdown on a punt return. In 2002, he passed Gene Upshaw to become the Raiders' all-time leader in games played with 224. He also set Raiders franchise records for receptions, receiving yards, and punt return yards. Brown was released by the Raiders before the 2004 season, as he did not want to accept a smaller role in the offense.
Brown was signed shortly thereafter by the Buccaneers (coached by former Raider head coach Jon Gruden). The move was controversial, considering that Brown had always been a fan favorite in the Oakland area and was much admired by many current and former Raiders players and staff over the sixteen years he spent with the Raider organization. He was the last of the Los Angeles Raiders to remain with Oakland.
On September 27, 2004, in his first game at Oakland since being signed by Tampa Bay, Brown reached 100 career receiving touchdowns, tying him (with Steve Largent) for 3rd on the NFL's all-time career receiving touchdown list at that time (behind former teammate Jerry Rice and Cris Carter). He received a standing ovation from the Oakland Raider crowd.
In 2005, Brown signed a one-day contract with the Raiders to retire with the team. The July 18 news conference was attended by two Raiders officials and only one active Raider, wide receiver Jerry Porter. Brown retired with 14,934 receiving yards, the second-highest total in NFL history, 1,094 receptions (3rd), and 100 touchdown catches (3rd-Tied). Brown also gained 190 rushing yards, 3,320 punt-return yards (5th in NFL history), 3 fumble-return yards, and 1,235 yards returning kickoffs. This gave him a total of 19,682 combined net yards, ranking him #5 among the NFL's all-time leaders at the time of his retirement. He also scored 105 total touchdowns (100 receiving, 1 rushing, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return). Brown is the only player ever to retire in the NFL's top five leaders for both receiving and return yards.
Brown became eligible for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, but was not selected that year. He was considered a long shot to get in on his first try, as there was a logjam of accomplished receiver candidates, including Jerry Rice (Brown's former teammate), Cris Carter and Andre Reed.
On January 7, 2012, and again on January 11, 2013, Brown was selected as a finalist for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but was not chosen.
On January 31, 2015, Brown was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 8, 2015.
Brown was in the movie Little Giants, and is co-host on FSN Pro Football Preview with former players Jason Sehorn, Eddie George and NFL Insider Jay Glazer. Brown is also a representative for YorHealth.
In 1995, Brown became the National Chairman of Athletes & Entertainers for Kids and the related 9-1-1 for Kids. These efforts have helped over five million children and teens through mentoring and educational programs.
As of 2013, Brown has been the General Manager and Co-Owner of the Texas Revolution of the Champions Indoor Football League in his home state of Texas and was an analyst for ESPN College Football. Brown also hosts a weekly sports-talk show on WRDI.
Brown serves as the League Chairman and Commissioner of The Arena League, an indoor football league that is estimated to begin play in 2024.
Brown currently lives in Cedar Hill, Texas.
Brown started a NASCAR racing team as part of their Drive for Diversity program. He was recruiting African American sponsors to fund the venture, and has worked out a technical alliance with Roush Fenway Racing, who will provide support to the upstart team. Brown hopes to eventually find a black, Hispanic, or woman driver to be the star of his team in order to bring an element of diversity to what is a white-dominated sport. However, the plan never successfully began.
Since joining the Raiders, Brown had a complicated relationship with the Oakland Raiders and late owner Al Davis. During a 2009 interview with Sportsradiointerview.com Brown commented on his former boss:
“Meeting Al (Davis) was pretty unique. I found out five or ten minutes after my first practice there that he hated African-American athletes from Notre Dame. And they literally told me that. They literally told me that because we’re known for using our education more than our athletic ability that he thought that I would be one of these guys that would basically take the money and run. I don’t know if that was a ploy to get me amped up, but it certainly worked."
In 2000, Brown was dining in an Oakland restaurant with former Raiders Chester McGlockton and Sean Jones. During their meal, Brown found himself unable to approach or speak to Davis. Brown told a reporter, "I was saddened by that because I don't know anybody who I've dealt with for twelve years who I can't say hello to in that situation. I was saddened that the situation is where it is."
On August 5, 2004, the Raiders held a press conference with Brown and Davis which stated that Brown was leaving the Raiders. Davis and Brown professed mutual respect for one another and both men expressed a desire for Brown to return to the Raiders someday.
On July 19, 2005, Brown officially retired but the Raiders did not hold a press conference at the team headquarters. Instead, Brown held his own press conference in an Oakland hotel ballroom. Davis did not attend the conference because he had a "scheduling conflict". Davis did allow Brown to sign a ceremonial $765,000 contract with the Raiders so he could retire as an Oakland Raider. Brown's 2004 departure from the Raiders eventually became acrimonious, and the outspoken receiver often criticized Davis, senior assistant Michael Lombardi and coach Norv Turner publicly for conspiring to make him expendable. Former teammates Marcus Allen, Lincoln Kennedy and Chester McGlockton attended the press conference. For the Raiders, Amy Trask, the Raiders' chief executive officer who had Brown sign the ceremonial contract, Marc Badain, a finance executive and Mike Taylor, the team's director of public relations, were on hand. At the time, Raiders receiver Jerry Porter was also in attendance. Lincoln Kennedy stuck up for the absence of Davis stating "It's not his style; he'll probably invite Tim up to his office, or out to dinner later on. But this? This is not his style."
Recent history suggested that Davis was possibly out of touch with the football world prior to his death in 2011 because the Raiders had suffered through seven straight losing seasons (2003–2009) since losing to Tampa Bay in Super Bowl XXXVII. Brown disagreed, stating "In a lot of peoples’ minds, Al is out of touch, but nothing is further from the truth. He is still quite lucid."
Sources
Kenyon, David (October 3, 2018). "The Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
Patuto, Greg (May 15, 2020). "Ranking The 20 Greatest NFL Wide Receivers Of All Time". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
Tallent, Aaron (February 18, 2022). "25 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History". AthlonSports.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
"Pushing the Boundaries of Football". thearenaleague.football. The Arena League. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
Jenkins, Sally (September 27, 1987). "All Eyes Are on Notre Dame's Tim Brown--Except His Mother's". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
"BlueandGold.com // No. 4: Tim Brown". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
Weber, Paul J. (September 4, 2006). "Dallas school boasts pair of Heisman winners". Plainview Daily Herald. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
Culpepper, Chuck (December 7, 2018). "Heismans and hula, that's what Tua Tagovailoa's high school does". Washington Post. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
"Former NCAA stars shine at Honors Celebration - NCAA.org". Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
"1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
Springer, Steve (March 12, 1994). "Tim Brown Signs With Broncos : Pro football: Raiders have a week to match four-year, $11-million, no-trade offer". Los Angeles Times.
"Rice, Smith land spots in Hall of Fame". NBC Sports. Associated Press. February 6, 2010. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2010.
Jeff Legwold (January 31, 2015). "Junior Seau headlines HOF class". ESPN. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
"Raiders receiver Tim Brown savors his time at Hall of Fame podium". August 8, 2015.
"YOR Health: Athletic Advisory Board". YORHealth. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
"911 for Kids – 911 Training and Education, 911 Public Education, National 911 Education Month – Tim Brown". Archived from the original on March 5, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
"Web Hosting – This site is temporarily unavailable". www.thefanmichiana.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
Pockrass, Bob (January 31, 2014). "NFL and NASCAR: Former NFL stars who dabbled in stock-car racing". Sporting News. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
"Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
Chadiha, Jeffri (February 22, 2000). "Brown lowdownAl Davis is the devil he knows". The San Francisco Chronicle.
Gay, Nancy (August 5, 2004). "Brown, Raiders part ways / Too proud to be a 'distraction' in Oakland, he's looking for another team". The San Francisco Chronicle.
Gay, Nancy (July 27, 2005). "TIM BROWN RETIRES / See ya Raider / Only 4 members of organization on hand". The San Francisco Chronicle.
"Brown receives Alumnus award- the New Haven Register – Serving New Haven, Connecticut". Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2009.
Jerome Abram Bettis Sr. is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League for 13 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "the Bus" due to his large size and forceful running style, he is regarded as one of the greatest power runners of all time and ranks eighth in NFL rushing yards.
Bettis played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1993 NFL draft. He was a member of the Rams for three seasons before being traded to the Steelers, where he spent the remainder of his career. Bettis received six Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections, in addition to being a member of the Steelers team that won Super Bowl XL, the franchise's first title in over two decades. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Bettis in the first round, with the tenth overall selection, of the 1993 NFL draft. On July 22, 1993, He signed a three-year, $4.625 million contract with a signing bonus in excess of $2 million. As a rookie, he flourished under Chuck Knox's ground-oriented offense. He quickly earned the nickname "The Battering Ram" as he rushed for 1,429 yards (second in the NFL, behind only Emmitt Smith's 1,486 rushing yards), drawing comparisons to Earl Campbell. Bettis also had an NFL-best 79 rushing first downs and an NFL-best 38 runs of 10 or more yards, and tied for the league lead with seven 100-yard rushing games despite not becoming the full-time starter until the sixth game of the season. Bettis was named a First-team All-Pro (the only rookie named to the team) and Consensus NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He rushed for over 1,000 yards and was selected for the NFC's Pro Bowl team in each of his first two seasons with the Rams. He was one of the few bright spots on a dreadful team. The Rams finished last in the NFC West in both of his first two seasons, never coming remotely close to contention.
The Rams moved to St. Louis for the 1995 season. New coach Rich Brooks instituted a more pass-oriented offense, a major reason why Bettis was limited to 637 yards, a significant dropoff from his 1993 and 1994 totals. Brooks asked Bettis whether he wanted to move to fullback for the upcoming 1996 season or preferred to be traded. Bettis opted for a trade. By this time, most NFL fullbacks were primarily blockers, and Bettis still believed he could help a team as a rusher.
On the day of the 1996 NFL draft, Bettis was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a third-round pick in the 1996 draft in exchange for the Steelers' second-round pick and their fourth-round pick in the 1997 NFL draft. In the first round, the Rams drafted Lawrence Phillips as Bettis' intended successor. The Steelers drafted Steve Conley with the Rams’ third round selection. With their second round pick in the 1996 draft the Rams took Ernie Conwell. In 1997 the Rams traded their fourth-round pick from the Steelers and two sixth-round picks to the Dolphins in order to move up nine slots and take offensive tackle Ryan Tucker.
The Rams had given Bettis the option of selecting where he wanted to be traded to. He chose the Steelers over their AFC Central rival Houston Oilers (who would draft Eddie George that year instead) due to the Steelers' more storied history.
The Steelers were in need of a running back because Bam Morris, their feature back for the 1994 and 1995 seasons, was arrested in March 1996 for marijuana possession. Morris eventually pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and was cut by the Steelers a little over a month after the draft, handing the feature back position to Bettis.
Conley was traded to the Colts two seasons later for a fifth-round pick. Meanwhile, Phillips was cut by the Rams after only one-and-a-half seasons due to myriad off-the-field issues, and would be out of the NFL altogether by 1999, making the trade one of the most lopsided in NFL history.
In his first season in Pittsburgh, Bettis rushed for a then career-high 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns and was named to his second 1st team All-Pro team. He also won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, NFL Alumni Running Back of the Year, was voted Steelers' team MVP and finished the 1996 season as the leader in Football Outsiders rushing DYAR metric.
Bettis rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons with the Steelers between 1996 and 2001. Included in that run were three campaigns of over 1,300 yards. In 1997, Bettis rushed for a career-best 1,665 yards in the team's first 15 games. However, because the team had already wrapped up its playoff position, he was rested for the regular-season finale and finished 26 yards short of the team's single-season record. Bettis does hold the Steelers' franchise record for rushing yards in a single season when including postseason play. Bettis was a second-team All-Pro choice in 1997 and set a then NFL record with two overtime touchdowns in the same season.
Bettis spent the 2005 season as a short-yardage running back, but managed two notable games along the way: a 101-yard, two-touchdown effort in a pivotal week 14 win over Chicago (his second-to-last game in Pittsburgh) in which he ran over Bears' safety Mike Green and the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Brian Urlacher on the goal line during a heavy snow squall. Then he scored three touchdowns in a win over Detroit to clinch a playoff berth on the last day of the season. He finished the season and his career as the NFL's 5th leading all-time rusher.
Bettis was also at the center of one of the most controversial calls in NFL history. During a Thanksgiving Day game with the Detroit Lions on November 26, 1998, he was sent out as the Steelers representative for the overtime coin toss. Bettis appeared to call "tails" while the coin was in the air but referee Phil Luckett declared that Bettis had called "heads" first and awarded possession to Detroit, which would go on to win the game without giving Pittsburgh the chance to possess the ball. After reviewing the incident, the NFL changed the rule and declared that the call of "heads" or "tails" would be made before the coin was tossed rather than during the toss and that at least two officials would be present. In 2001 the readers of ESPN voted the incident as No. 8 on its list of the ten worst sports officiating calls of all time, even though sound enhancements of the audio showed that Bettis said "hea-tails" and Bettis admitted starting to call "heads" before changing it to "tails". Bettis later put together one of the most bizarre single-game statistics in NFL history. In the 2004 season opener he scored three touchdowns while carrying the ball five times for a total of only one yard and a 0.2 yards per carry average.
During that 2004 season, Bettis and New York Jets running back Curtis Martin dueled for position on the all-time rushing yards leaderboard. Bettis entered the season in 6th place all-time and 684 yards ahead of Martin in 9th place. Because Bettis was the backup in Pittsburgh for the start of the season, Martin was able to pass Bettis in week 13 until the Steelers played their game later in the day and Bettis retook the lead by 6 yards. When the Jets traveled to Martin's home town of Pittsburgh to play the Steelers the following week, both backs would cross the 13,000-yard mark, making this the first time two players crossed the 13,000 yard mark (or other similarly high yardage milestones) in the same game. Their combined career totals were also one of the biggest combined career totals for opposing running backs in history. At the end of the game, Martin would lead Bettis by 9 yards. Two weeks later in week 16, Bettis would again pass Martin and establish himself with a lead of 81 yards. In doing so, Bettis passed Eric Dickerson for 4th place on the all-time list. Bettis sat out the final week of the season, and when Martin rushed for 153 yards that week he passed Dickerson, and Bettis for the final time.
After the Steelers' defeat in the 2004 AFC Championship Game on January 23, 2005, Bettis announced that he was considering retirement, but would not make a final decision for several months to prevent the sting of the defeat from clouding his judgment. Later, Bettis agreed to stay with the Steelers for another season. He stated he would love to play in the Super Bowl in 2006 since it was to be played in his hometown of Detroit. His wish came true as the Steelers played in, and won, Super Bowl XL (40) against the Seattle Seahawks, 21–10, on February 5, 2006.
Bettis finished his 13 NFL seasons as the NFL's 5th all-time leading rusher with 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns. He also caught 200 passes for 1,449 yards and 3 touchdowns and threw 3 career touchdown passes. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2004. Bettis won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1996, and in 2002 he was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. While Bettis finished with 1,542 more yards than Franco Harris on the NFL's all-time rushing list, Harris remains the Steelers all-time leading rusher because 3,091 of Bettis’ yards came while he was with the Rams.
Bettis received the nickname "the Bus" during his time at Notre Dame, as a reporter at the university's newspaper (The Observer) came up with it, stating that he looked like a bus taking guys for a ride. This led to a student chant about how "Nobody stops the bus" that stuck for the rest of his tenure at the school.
Bettis was given the nickname "the Closer” by his Steeler head coach Bill Cowher because whenever Pittsburgh was ahead at the end of the game, Cowher would send in Bettis to run out the clock.
Shortly after the Steelers lost the 2004 AFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl XXXIX champion New England Patriots, Ben Roethlisberger approached Bettis. He promised Bettis that if he came back for one last season, he would get him to the Super Bowl. Apparently, it was this promise that got Jerome Bettis to play one last season. In 12 NFL seasons, Bettis had reached the playoffs five times, but had never been in the Super Bowl.
In week 17 of the 2005 NFL season, Bettis rushed for 41 yards and three touchdowns against the Detroit Lions. The Steelers won, 35–21, and thanks to Bettis's three touchdowns, they clinched a playoff berth. When Bill Cowher pulled Bettis from the game late in the fourth quarter, he was given a standing ovation from the Steelers fans. This game would be the last home game (not including the neutral-site Super Bowl) for Jerome Bettis.
Bettis contributed 52 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers' wildcard playoff victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on January 8. After their wildcard win, Ben Roethlisberger revealed to the team that he promised to Bettis that he would get him to the Super Bowl, in order to get him to come back for the 2005 season.
On January 15, 2006, Bettis was the center of one of football's most memorable endings in a divisional playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Steelers offensive attack was mostly pass-driven during the game. Bettis ran for 46 yards on 17 rushes, including one touchdown. When the Steelers took possession of the ball on the Colts' 2-yard line with 1:20 remaining in the game, leading 21–18, the outcome seemed almost certain. The first play from scrimmage went to the surehanded Bettis, who had not fumbled once the entire year. As Bettis ran towards the end zone, Colts linebacker Gary Brackett popped the ball out of Bettis's hands, where, in seemingly another occurrence of the Sports Illustrated "cover jinx," it was picked up by cornerback Nick Harper, who was stopped from returning the fumble all the way for a touchdown by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Ultimately, however, Bettis's mistake did not result in a Steelers loss, as Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard game-tying field goal, ending the game with a 21-18 Steelers victory.
The next week, the Steelers were set to face off against the Denver Broncos in the 2005 AFC Championship Game. Bettis delivered a rousing speech to his teammates the day before the game, asking them to "Just get me to Detroit", his hometown, where Super Bowl XL was to be played. Bettis's wish was granted, as he and the Steelers advanced to Super Bowl XL with a 34–17 win over the Broncos, led by Ben Roethlisberger's arm. Bettis ran for 39 yards on 15 carries, including a touchdown. After the game was over, Bettis found his parents in the crowd and mouthed the words "We're going home" to them.
Asked about the possibility of retirement, Bettis announced, "I played this game for a championship. I'm a champion, and I think the Bus' last stop is here in Detroit." Thus, Jerome Bettis officially announced his retirement standing on the champions' podium, holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy alongside Dan Rooney, who accepted the trophy on behalf of both himself and Bill Cowher, the winning head coach. Hines Ward, the MVP of the game, said during the Super Bowl commercial, "I'm going to Disney World and I'm taking The Bus!"
Although the Steelers have not officially retired Bettis' #36, they have not reissued it since his retirement and it is understood that no Steeler will ever wear it again. His number joins a list of other unofficially retired numbers such as those of Terry Bradshaw and Hines Ward.
On January 31, 2006, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the City Council presented the key to the city to Bettis and declared the week "Jerome Bettis Week" for being "a shining example of what a kid with a dream from Detroit can accomplish with hard work and determination." Currently, he lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm of the State of Michigan declared February 1, 2006, to be Jerome Bettis Day.
On May 21, 2006, Bettis received an honorary Doctoral degree from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan.
Before the Steelers' home opener of the 2006 NFL season, a large school bus drove onto the field, and Bettis stepped out to a massive crowd ovation. He was one of several Steelers players being honored as part of the celebration of the franchise's five Super Bowl victories; Lynn Swann and Franco Harris were also present.
In February 2006, at the 2006 Winter Olympics, NBC Sports announced that Bettis had been signed as a studio commentator for NBC's new Football Night in America Sunday night pregame show where he was through the 2008 season.
In April 2006, Bettis and his parents teamed up with Don Barden, the head of PITG Gaming LLC, in a bid for a casino on Pittsburgh's Northside to be called the Majestic Star. Their plan would aid the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins with funding for a new ice arena. Barden said that he would give $7.5 million a year for 30 years to help build a new arena.
Bettis opened a restaurant called "Jerome Bettis' Grille 36" on June 5, 2007, on Pittsburgh's Northside.
Bettis makes a cameo as himself in the episode "The Convention" of season 3 of the NBC comedy series The Office. Signing autographs at a paper convention, Michael Scott tries to invite him to a room party, which Bettis declines. Later, Michael claims Bettis is nicknamed "The Bus" because he is afraid of flying.
In 2010, Bettis joined School of the Legends (SOTL), an online community and partner of the NFLPA. He was featured in an article on the D1 Training website in February 2011 and filmed training courses for SOTL that focused on his position as a running back.
Bettis is currently the host of The Jerome Bettis Show on WPXI-TV, filmed at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, airing Saturdays at 7:00 PM and 1:00 AM. He was a commentator for the NFL Network and a former NBC studio analyst for Football Night in America. Now he is an NFL analyst for different ESPN programs, such as SportsCenter.
The Jerome Bettis Bus Stops Here Foundation and other agencies sponsor the Jerome Bettis Asthma and Sports Camp annually for children with asthma. Bettis has also delivered over 1000 pairs of cleats to children in the Detroit school system. After falling short as a finalist in 2013, on January 31, 2015, Bettis was voted into The Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bettis returned to NBC to help Bob Costas preside over the Vince Lombardi Trophy presentation at the end of Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015.
Bettis starred in a Geico commercial in 2019, playing a running back in flag football that dominates the competition (49–0).
Bettis portrays himself in the episode "Welcome to the Ex-Files" in Season 4 of the CBS comedy series The Neighborhood, where he visits the home of principal characters Calvin and Tina Butler for dinner after running into them at a restaurant. In the course of the evening, characters learn that Bettis & Tina had a "summer fling" when they were teenagers, triggering jealousy in Calvin that gets resolved by the end of the episode.
Bettis returned on campus at the University of Notre Dame in 2021–2022 to finish his bachelor's degree, something he had started nearly 30 years earlier. He graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor's degree in business.
Bettis has made political donations to both Democratic and Republican candidates, such as the Congressional campaign of Democratic Representative Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign. On March 29, 2008, Bettis accompanied Barack Obama on a campaign visit to the U.S. Steel plant in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Bettis endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Bettis is married to his wife Trameka. Together they have two kids: a daughter, Jada and a son, Jerome Jr., who is on Notre Dame’s football roster as a wide receiver.
Sources
"Top 25 Power Full Backs Of All Time". Chris Burke. Sports Illustrated. March 5, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2020.
Bouchette, Ed (January 31, 2015). "Jerome Bettis elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
Stated on Who Do You Think You Are?, March 9, 2012
"Biography". Jerome Bettis. WebMD. Retrieved November 25, 2012.
Jahnke, James (July 24, 2015). "Jerome Bettis: I sold crack, shot at people in Detroit". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
Jenkins, Lee (February 4, 2006). "With That Old College Retry, Bettis Revived His Career". The New York Times. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
"Football World Reacts to Jerome Bettis' Awesome News". January 11, 2022.
McCarriston, Shanna (May 13, 2022). "Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis completes his business degree at Notre Dame 28 years after leaving university". CBS Sports.
"Adding Up the Numbers: A Rookie Impact On the Pittsburgh Steelers Running Game". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
"NFL Draft 2001: The fuss over 40". old.post-gazette.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
"1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
Simers, J.T. (July 23, 1993). "Rams Reach Agreement With Bettis Football: No. 1 pick expected to sign and practice today". Los Angeles Times Archived November 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved September 10, 2010.
SIMERS, T. J. (December 8, 1993). "Bettis' Pounding Runs Haven't Rescued Rams : NFL: Rookie running back is gaining yards and attention, but the offense remains ineffective because of a shoddy passing attack". Retrieved December 25, 2017 – via LA Times.
"Pro Football Hall of Fame: Steelers' Jerome Bettis redefined big, quick RBs". Ryan Wilson. CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
Clarochi, Paul (April 21, 1996), "Steelers Bet on Bettis to Fill RB Void".Beaver County Times Retrieved September 12, 2010.
"Jerome Bettis talks about the trade that changed his life | Pittsburgh Steelers". YouTube. September 20, 2017.
"Steelers' Morris Indicted On Drug Charges". ChicagoTribune.com. March 27, 1996. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
[1] Footballoutsiders.com. Retrieved on September 13, 2017.
[2] Pro-Football-Reference.com.
"PRO FOOTBALL; 'Heads'? 'Tails'? Referee Chooses, Then Steelers Lose". The New York Times. Associated Press. November 27, 1998. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
The Readers' List:Worst calls in history. ESPN. August 27, 2001. Retrieved on July 23, 2013.
"Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers - September 12th, 2004". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
"How Jerome Bettis became the Bus".
"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-Gazette.com. December 21, 2000. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
State your case. Jerome Bettis Si
Jenkins, TJ (April 7, 2009). "The Ben Roethlisberger Story: I'll Take You There, Bus". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
[3]. espn.go.com (January 1, 2006). Retrieved on August 20, 2015.
"Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers - January 1st, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
"Wild Card - Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals - January 8th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
"NFL 100". NFL.com.
"Divisional Round - Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts - January 15th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
"Bettis headed home for career finale". Deseret News. January 23, 2006.
"AFC Championship - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos - January 22nd, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
"Jerome Bettis Stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
"Jerome Bettis Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
"Jerome Bettis postseason stats". ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
"Jerome Bettis postseason stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
"Officially, today is Jerome Bettis Day". Beaver County Times. February 1, 2006.
"TV Talk: Steelers legend Jerome Bettis guest stars on CBS sitcom 'The Neighborhood'". November 5, 2021.
Jerome Bettis Day Proclamations, Michigan.gov
Bettis joins bid for new Pittsburgh arena Associated Press article at tsn.ca, April 18, 2006
Jerome Bettis Grille 36 opens Tuesday on N. Side Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dining Guide, May 31, 2007
Bettis' Grille 36 in the works Archived July 16, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sports, July 11, 2007
"Veteran Running Backs Offer Rookies Advice in Exclusive School of the Legends Interview". Business Wire. June 3, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
"Jerome Bettis Stops by D1". D1SportingTraining. February 21, 2011.
"Jerome Bettis Hosts Children's Asthma Sports Camp At Heinz Field". WPXI. July 22, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013.
Evans, Gavin (September 11, 2013). "Where Are They Now? Your Favorite NFL Players of the '90s". Complex. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
Corbett, Jim (February 2, 2013). "Parcells, Carter finally make Pro Football Hall of Fame". USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
Mello, Igor (January 31, 2015). "Pro Football Hall of Fame: Jerome Bettis among the 2015 class". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
Jerome Bettis Archived April 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Newsmeat.com, Accessed March 31, 2008.
Michael David Smith, Barack Obama's Pennsylvania Strategy: Appear With Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Accessed March 31, 2008.
Deto, Ryan (August 20, 2024). "Political football: Why former Steeler Jerome Bettis is backing Kamala Harris". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
"Former NFL Star Jerome Bettis Shares Excitement for Son Following in His Football Footsteps: 'Proud Dad Moment' (Exclusive)". People. February 6, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
"#15 JEROME BETTIS JR". Fightingirish.com. n.d. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
The American Football League, also known retrospectively as the AFL III to distinguish it from earlier organizations of that name, was a professional American football league that operated from 1940 to 1941. It was created when three teams, the original Cincinnati Bengals, the Columbus Bullies, and the Milwaukee Chiefs, were lured away from the minor-league American Professional Football Association and joined three new franchises in Boston, Buffalo, and New York City in a new league. It competed against the National Football League, the oldest existing professional football league, which had been established in 1920 and reorganized in 1922.
The organization was the third major league to bear the name American Football League. Its establishment resulted in the dissolution of the American Professional Football Association, which had just announced its intentions to compete with the NFL as a major league organization. In 1941, the American Football League became the first football league to play a double round robin schedule (five home games and five away games). However, it folded after the end of the 1941 season (Commissioner William D. Griffith photo above).
Although the third American Football League was not directly connected to any previous American football leagues of the same name, its formation was at the cost of an already-existing minor football league of the same name.
In the spring of 1940, the former American Professional Football Association announced intentions of turning itself into a major league with the addition of a Milwaukee team for the upcoming season, over the protests of the Green Bay Packers.
As the teams prepared for the upcoming season, the announcement of a rival major league resulted in the collapse of this edition of the American Football League. On July 14, 1940, a press conference introduced a new American Football League - not a continuation of the former minor league, but a new one with franchises in New York, Boston, and Buffalo. Bill Edwards, the president of the first AFL of 1926, was slated to be both the president of the new league and co-owner of the New York Yankees franchise, while Joseph Carr Jr., the son of recently deceased NFL president and Columbus Panhandles founder Joe Carr, was touted as a potential backer of the Columbus franchise.
The group of businessmen based on the American East Coast behind the formation of the new league had resorted to a trick done by the first two AFLs: they raided the established minor league by enticing APFA members Cincinnati, Columbus, and the new Milwaukee team to jump to their circuit.
The move fractured the APFA as two of its members decided not to field teams for 1940, while one the Los Angeles Bulldogs had already resigned from the league, and there were only three teams left with only two months to go before the start of the new season. After the Kenosha Cardinals and St. Louis Gunners applied to join the new league (and were subsequently rejected), the APFA went out of business.
After a 30-hour-long meeting of the owners (and other representatives) of the six invited teams in Buffalo's Hotel Lafayette, the bylaws and officials of the new league were determined. Each team was scheduled to play a double round robin schedule (five home games, five away games), with games on either Sunday or Wednesday to reduce the likelihood of conflicts with baseball teams sharing the stadium in five of the six AFL cities (all except Buffalo). The agreement was signed by the team owners on October 5, 1940.
While Bill Edwards did not take over the league as previously announced (that job eventually went to former Ohio State University publicity director William D. Griffith), the 1940 season began with six teams owned by people who were, for the most part, in better financial standing than their NFL counterparts. In the NFL, many of the owners had their franchise as their primary investment and source of income, while the AFL of 1940 had most of the owners with money invested in many other fields, such as local newspapers.
The third American Football League had teams playing in six U.S. markets. The Boston Bears disbanded in 1941, before the beginning of the second AFL season. The Buffalo Indians became the Buffalo Tigers for the 1941 season after a change in ownership. The Cincinnati Bengals, previously a member of the second AFL, and the American Professional Football Association, the "original Bengals" joined the third AFL with traditional rival Columbus Bullies. The Columbus Bullies a former APFA member which won the AFL championship both years the league was in existence. Quarterback Jay Arnold, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles, led the team in 1940; when Arnold returned to the Eagles in 1941, John LeBay took over the signal calling role. The Milwaukee Chiefs a former APFA member joined the AFL without being in an official APFA contest. The New York Yankees, the third major league professional football team with the name, it became the New York Americans in 1941 after a change of ownership.
Encouraged by the success of the New York and Columbus franchises, Detroit, Baltimore, and Philadelphia applied to join the league for the 1941 season. While the Detroit application was accepted for play in 1942, the latter two were turned down by a league that was not interested in further expansion.
Promoter Douglas Grant Hertz purchased the New York Yankees, changed their name to the New York Americans, and then announced (in August) the team's withdrawal from the league. The league refused to acknowledge the "withdrawal." Boston folded before the start of the 1941 season. Buffalo changed the team name upon new ownership assuming control of the team. New York Americans president William D. Cox became the new AFL league president in 1941.
Columbus was league champion again in 1941, with a final record of 5-1-2.
Although the AFL lost the Boston Bears franchise prior to the beginning of the 1941 season, its owners were optimistic about the league's long-term future. Although the league's average attendance was less than that of the more-established NFL, the AFL seemed to be on as firm a financial footing as the older league. By the end of the 1941 season, a new franchise was awarded to Detroit for the 1942 season. The league was the first major football league to complete a double round robin schedule, in which each team played each other twice.
All the plans for 1942 came to a sudden stop upon the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' entry into World War II on December 7, 1941. During the winter of 1941–42, numerous players from both leagues were drafted into the U.S. military. So many players went overseas that several AFL and NFL teams were left with barely enough players to field viable teams. It soon became apparent to the AFL owners that the success of the league was very much in question.
On September 2, 1942, AFL president William D. Cox announced the league would suspend operations for the war's duration.
We do not have the time to go into the football business this fall. I want to stress that there is no financial problem involved. Each team definitely has enough finances to continue.
The league did not return. The NFL was without a competitor until the formation of the All-America Football Conference in 1946, one year after the end of World War II.
Sources
Frank P. Josza and John J. Guthrie, Relocating Teams and Expanding Leagues in Professional Sports (Greenwood Publishing Group 1999) ISBN 1-56720-193-8
Gipe, G., The Great American Sports Book (Doubleday 1978) ISBN 0-385-13091-0
NFL Competitors: 1926-1975
Kenosha Cardinals:Life on the Fringe (1983) Archived March 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
Indians Occupy Faded Spot in Buffalo’s Football Scrapbook Archived November 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine – Joe Marren, Professional Football Research Association (1997)
Bob Carroll, Michael Gershman, David Neft, and John Thorn, Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (HarperCollins 1999) ISBN 0-06-039232-0
Crippen, K. R., The Original Buffalo Bills: A History of the All-America Football Conference Team, 1946-1949 (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2010), p. 6.
Kenosha Cardinals: Life on the Fringe (1983) Archived March 1, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
David L. Porter, ed., Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: Football (Greenwood Press 1987) ISBN 0-313-25771-X, p. 142
Aeneas Demetrius Williams is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback and safety in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Southern Jaguars and was selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Phoenix Cardinals, where he spent 10 seasons. During his final four seasons, he was a member of the St. Louis Rams. Williams received eight Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro honors, as well as being on the second NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
The Phoenix Cardinals selected Williams in the third round (59th overall) of the 1991 NFL draft. He was the sixth cornerback selected. He became Southern's ninth highest player selected in the history of the NFL Draft and their 55th player selected in the draft since 1967.
On July 19, 1991, the Cardinals signed Williams to a three–year, $960,000 rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $200,000. Throughout training camp, Williams competed against Cedric Mack, Robert Massey, and Jay Taylor to be the No. 1 starting cornerback under new defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur. On August 23, 1991, the Phoenix Cardinals unexpectedly cut Cedric Mack as part of their final roster cuts. Head coach Joe Bugel named Williams and Robert Massey as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.
On September 1, 1991, Williams made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start in the Phoenix Cardinals' season-opener at the Los Angeles Rams and recorded three solo tackles and had his first career interception on a pass thrown by Jim Everett as they won 24–14. The following week, he recorded three solo tackles, set a season-high with two fumble recoveries, and intercepted a pass running back Keith Byars attempted to throw as he was hit by linebacker Garth Jax during a 26–10 win at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. In Week 12, he set a season-high with nine combined tackles (eight solo) during a 10–14 loss at the San Francisco 49ers. The following week, Williams recorded four solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Jim McMahon as the Cardinals lost 34–14 to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. On December 15, 1991, Williams made four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions on passes thrown by John Elway during a 19–24 loss at the Denver Broncos. He finished his rookie season with 66 combined tackles (58 solo), 10 pass deflections, six interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in 16 games and 15 starts. His six interceptions tied for the most in the NFC in 1991, alongside Deion Sanders, Tim McKyer, and Ray Crockett.
He returned to training camp slated as the No. 1 starting cornerback with Robert Massey and Lorenzo Lynch competing for the other starting role. Head coach Joe Bugel named Williams and Lorenzo Lynch the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. Prior to Week 4, defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur demoted Lorenzo Lynch to a backup and replaced him in the starting lineup with Robert Massey for the rest of the season. On November 22, 1992, Williams set a season-high with seven combined tackles (six solo), made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Troy Aikman during a 16–10 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. He started all 16 games throughout the 1992 NFL season for the first time in his career and made 50 combined tackles (39 solo), 10 pass deflections, and three interceptions.
He returned to training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback. Robert Massey was a contract holdout and would miss the entire preseason as well as the first seven games of the season. Head coach Joe Bugel named Williams and Lorenzo Lynch as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.
On September 5, 1993, Williams started in the Phoenix Cardinals' season-opener at the Philadelphia Eagles and set a season-high with six solo tackles and made one pass deflection as they lost 17–23. On October 31, 1993, Williams made six combined tackles (five solo), one pass deflection, and scored a career-high two touchdowns on an interception return and a return on a fumble recovery during a 20–17 loss against the New Orleans Saints. He scored the first touchdown of his career in the first quarter after recovering a fumble by wide receiver Quinn Early and returning it 20–yards for a touchdown. The first pick-six of his career occurred in the second quarter after he intercepted a pass Wade Wilson threw to wide receiver Eric Martin and returned it 46–yards for a touchdown. The following game, Williams recorded three combined tackles (two solo), set a season-high with two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Ken O'Brien as the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 3–16 in Week 10. He started all 16 games throughout the 1993 NFL season and made 47 combined tackles (43 solo), 12 pass deflections, two interceptions, two touchdowns, and one fumble recovery. He was selected to play in the 1994 Pro Bowl to mark the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
On January 24, 1994, the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Joe Bugel after they ended the 1993 NFL season with a 7–9 record. On February 3, 1994, the Cardinals hired former Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Buddy Ryan to takeover as their new head coach. On February 17, 1994, the Arizona Cardinals signed Williams to a two–year, $3 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $900,000.
Entering training camp, Williams remained as the No. 1 starting cornerback under the new defensive coordinator Ronnie Jones. Head coach Buddy Ryan named Williams and James Williams the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.
On September 18, 1994, Williams made five solo tackles, one pass break-up, and had his first interception of the season on a pass Vinny Testaverde threw to wide receiver Mark Carrier during a 0–32 loss at the Cleveland Browns. On October 16, 1994, Williams made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions on pass attempts thrown by Heath Shuler during a 19–16 overtime victory at the Washington Redskins. In Week 12, he recorded two solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Randall Cunningham threw to wide receiver Fred Barnett as the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 6–12. On December 11, 1994, Williams made five solo tackles, one pass deflection, and made his ninth interception of the season on a pass thrown by Heath Shuler to wide receiver Olanda Truitt as the Cardinals defeated the Washington Redskins 15–17. He started all 16 games for the third consecutive season and made 42 combined tackles (40 solo). He set a new career-high in interceptions (9) and passes defended (26).
Head coach Buddy Ryan named Williams the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season, but paired him with Patrick Hunter following the departure of James Williams. On October 15, 1995, Williams recorded three solo tackles, set a season-high with four pass deflections, and returned an interception by Gus Frerotte to wide receiver Michael Westbrook for a 28–yard touchdown as the Cardinals defeated the Washington Redskins 20–24. On December 9, 1995, Williams made six solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions on passes thrown by Stan Humphries during a 25–28 loss at the San Diego Chargers. In Week 17, he set a season-high with nine combined tackles (six solo), had one pass break-up, and intercepted a pass attempt thrown by Troy Aikman to wide receiver Michael Irvin and returned it 48–yards for a touchdown during a 37–13 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. On December 27, 1995, the Arizona Cardinals announced their decision to fire head coach Buddy Ryan after they finished the 1995 NFL season with a 4–12 record. He started all 16 games and made 62 combined tackles (52 solo), 22 pass deflections, six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and scored two touchdowns.
On February 26, 1996, the Arizona Cardinals re-signed Williams to a six–year, $17 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $6 million. The Cardinals had hired Vince Tobin earlier in the month to be the new head coach. Following the departures of Lorenzo Lynch and Patrick Hunter, Williams was projected to begin the season alongside Tito Paul. On August 27, 1996, the Cardinals claimed cornerback Ronnie Bradford off waivers after he was cut by the Denver Broncos. Head coach Vince Tobin named Williams the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and chose to start safety Brent Alexander alongside him as the No. 2 starting cornerback for the first two games. Defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis elected to promote Ronnie Bradford to the No. 2 starting cornerback beginning in Week 3.
On October 27, 1996, Williams made seven combined tackles (six solo), two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions thrown by Frank Reich as the Cardinals lost 31–21 against the New York Jets to give them their first win of the season after eight consecutive losses. On November 17, 1996, Williams made eight combined tackles (six solo), two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Dave Brown as the Cardinals defeated the New York Giants 23–31. The following week, he recorded seven combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, one interception, and had his first career sack on Ty Detmer for a six–yard loss during a 30–36 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13. In Week 15, he set a season-high with nine solo tackles and had two pass break-ups during a 6–10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. On December 22, 1996, Williams made two solo tackles, one pass deflection, and had a pick-six on an interception he returned for a 65–yard touchdown that was thrown by Ty Detmer during a 19–29 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles. He started all 16 games for the fifth consecutive season and set a career-high with 77 combined tackles (65 solo) while also recording 18 pass deflections, six interceptions, one sack, and one touchdown.
The Arizona Cardinals selected cornerbacks Tom Knight in the first-round (9th overall) and Ty Howard in the third-round (84th overall) of the 1997 NFL draft following the departure of Ronnie Bradford. Head coach Vince Tobin named Williams the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with rookie Tom Knight.
On September 28, 1997, Williams recorded five solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and returned an interception by Trent Dilfer 42–yards for a touchdown during an 18–19 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In Week 7, Williams made six combined tackles (five solo), two pass deflections, and had his second pick-six of the season after intercepting a pass by Danny Kanell to wide receiver Amani Toomer during a 27–13 loss against the New York Giants. The following week, he set a season-high with seven combined tackles (four solo) and made one pass deflection during a 10–13 overtime loss at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. In Week 16, he made two solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had his sixth interception of the season on a pass by Billy Joe Hobert to wide receiver Andre Hastings during a 10–24 loss at the New Orleans Saints. He started all 16 games and recorded 62 combined tackles (48 solo), 18 pass deflections, six interceptions, two touchdowns, and a forced fumble.
The Cardinals selected cornerback Corey Chavous in the second-round (33rd overall) of the 1998 NFL draft. Head coach Vince Tobin named Williams and Tom Knight the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. On September 6, 1998, Williams started in the Cardinals' season-opener at the Dallas Cowboys and set a season-high with 11 combined tackles (10 solo) as they lost 10–38. In Week 4, Tom Knight suffered a hamstring injury and remained inactive for the next four games (Weeks 5–9) and was replaced by J. B. Brown. In Week 6, Williams made one tackle, a pass deflection, and had his lone interception of the season on a pass Erik Kramer threw to wide receiver Curtis Conway as the Cardinals defeated the Chicago Bears 7–20. Defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis named Corey Chavous the No. 2 starting cornerback for the last five games of the season. He started all 16 games for the seventh consecutive season and recorded 70 combined tackles (52 solo), seven pass deflections, one sack, and made one interception.
The Arizona Cardinals finished the 1998 NFL season with a 9–7 record, marking the only time they had a winning record during Williams' entire 10–seasons. On January 2, 1999, Williams started in the first playoff game of his career and recorded two solo tackles and had a game–high two interceptions on passes thrown by Troy Aikman during a 20–7 victory at the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild-Card Game.[60] On January 10, 1999, Williams started in the Divisional Round at the Minnesota Vikings and recorded two solo tackles and intercepted a pass Randall Cunningham threw to Randy Moss as the Cardinals lost 21–41.
He returned as the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season and was paired with Corey Chavous. On September 12, 1999, Williams started in the Arizona Cardinals' season-opener at the Philadelphia Eagles and recorded one solo tackle, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass Doug Pederson threw to wide receiver Torrance Small as they won 25–24. The following week, he set a season-high with five solo tackles during a 16–19 loss at the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. On September 27, 1999, Williams and the Cardinals appeared on nationally televised Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers. During the end of the second quarter, Williams unfortunately delivered the career-ending hit to Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young as he threw a pass. Williams came in freely unblocked on a blindside cornerback blitz on Young after running back Lawrence Phillips failed his assignment of picking up any incoming blitzes. At the same time, cornerback J. J. McCleskey blitzed on the broadside of Young, ran by guard Dave Fiore, and dove for a tackle as Young threw a pass, but would only hit Young's lower legs. With Aeneas Williams simultaneously hitting Young in the chest, the combined force would send Young falling backwards with the back of his head slamming into the turf and left Young unconscious on the field for several minutes. Young would not return after halftime and was replaced by Jeff Garcia as the 49ers defeated the Cardinals 24–10. Young suffered his fourth severe concussion from the impact in only three years and had continual symptoms of post-concussion syndrome that would immediately end his career and force his retirement. He started in all 16 games throughout the 1999 NFL season and recorded 55 combined tackles (50 solo), seven pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Head coach Vince Tobin retained Williams and Tom Knight as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. On October 23, 2000, the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Vince Tobin after starting with a 2–5 record and appointed defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis to interim head coach for the remainder of the season. On November 5, 2000, Williams made two solo tackles, two pass deflections, and interception, and returned a fumble that linebacker Mark Maddox forced by running back Stephen Davis 104–yards for a touchdown as the Cardinals defeated the Washington Redskins 15–16. His fumble recovery returned 104–yards for a touchdown tied Oakland Raiders' safety Jack Tatum (1972). In Week 15, he set a season-high with six solo tackles during a 10–44 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars.[65] On December 24, 2000, Williams recorded six combined tackles (three solo), two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions on passes thrown by Brad Johnson during a 3–20 loss at the Washington Redskins. He started all 16 games throughout the 2000 NFL season and finished with 62 combined tackles (48 solo), 11 pass deflections, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one touchdown.
On February 22, 2001, the Arizona Cardinals designated their franchise tag to Williams as both parties were still unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. The franchise tag was for a fully-guaranteed one–year, $4.18 million contract for the 2001 NFL season.
On April 21, 2001, the St. Louis Rams traded a second (54th overall) and fourth-round pick (121st overall) in the 2001 NFL draft to the Arizona Cardinals in return for Williams. The Rams acquired Williams to replace starting cornerback Todd Lyght after he signed with the Detroit Lions ten days earlier.
On April 25, 2001, the St. Louis Rams signed Williams to a three–year, $14.70 million contract extension that included $7.70 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $3.60 million.[6][69] He entered training camp slated as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Lovie Smith. Head coach Mike Martz named Williams and Dexter McCleon as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season, alongside nickelback Dre Bly.
On September 30, 2001, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles (seven solo) and made one fumble recovery during a 42–10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. On October 21, 2001, Williams made eight combined tackles (five solo), one pass deflection, and returned an interception on a pass by Vinny Testaverde 42–yards for a touchdown during a 34–14 victory at the New York Jets. In Week 9, he made one solo tackle, one pass deflection, and had his second pick-six of the season after intercepting a pass Matt Lytle threw to wide receiver Donald Hayes and returning it for a 16–yard touchdown during a 14–48 victory against the Carolina Panthers. In Week 13, Williams recorded four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions on passes thrown by Jeff Garcia to wide receivers Terrell Owens and Tai Streets as the Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 14–27. He started all 16 games for the tenth consecutive season and made 73 combined tackles (56 solo), 18 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Due to roster concerns, Williams switched to free safety. As one of the leaders of a much-improved defense, Williams got a chance to play in the postseason for only the second time in his career. In the Rams' divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers prior to the Super Bowl, he returned two interceptions from Packers quarterback Brett Favre for touchdowns and recovered a fumble. Then in the NFC title game, he intercepted a pass from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, with 2 minutes left in regulation, clinching the game and ensuring the Rams' berth in Super Bowl XXXVI. However, the Rams lost that game to the New England Patriots.
On March 24, 2003, the St. Louis Rams signed Williams to a two–year, $6.50 million contract that includes a $1 million signing bonus.
After a lackluster season, in which he ended on the injured reserve list, Williams quietly retired during the 2005 offseason. Over his career he accumulated a staggering 12 defensive touchdowns (9 interceptions returned for a touchdown, and 3 fumbles recovered for touchdowns), and 55 career interceptions, cementing his place as one of the most dominating defensive backs of his era. He also recovered 23 fumbles and gained 1,075 total defensive return yards (807 from interceptions and 268 from fumbles). He was also a 4-time All-Pro selection.
Although Williams only played on a playoff team four times in 14 years (three of which were with the Rams), he made the most of his postseason opportunities when they occurred, intercepting 6 passes and recovering one fumble in his first four playoff games.
Williams was inducted into the Arizona Cardinals' Ring of Honor during the 2008–2009 football season during halftime of the Monday Night Football game against the San Francisco 49ers November 10, 2008. On January 18, 2009, he was chosen to present the George Halas Trophy to the Arizona Cardinals after their victory in the NFC Championship game, resulting in the Cardinals first trip to the Super Bowl. He made his final appearance in a football videogame in NFL Street 2, which was released in 2004.
Williams is the founding pastor of The Spirit Church (formerly Spirit of the Lord Family Church), which began in 2007, located in St. Ann, a suburb of St. Louis. He and his wife, Tracy, have three daughters—Saenea, Tirzah, and Cheyenne—and a son, Lazarus.
Williams was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame classes of 2012 and 2013 but did not get voted in on the final ballots both times. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 1, 2014, and inducted on August 2.
On September 24, 2014, Williams was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
Sources
Williams, Darrell (August 19, 2014). "Aeneas Williams showed early promise at Fortier High School". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
Harris, Terrance (July 29, 2014). "2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Aeneas Williams' ascension to greatness began at early age in New Orleans". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
East, Les (August 15, 2014). "Aeneas Williams found himself at Southern". The Advocate. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
"Aeneas Williams – Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
"Spotrac.com: Aeneas Williams contracts". Spotrac.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL Camps". Oklahoman. August 16, 1991. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Another in a series of NFL preseason sizeups: the Phoenix Cardinals". UPI.com. August 23, 1991. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Root, Jess (July 24, 2018). "47 days until Week 1: Remembering No. 47 Cedric Mack". cardswire.usatoday.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Chargers' roster down to 47-men: Football; Bayless, McEwen among those cut, but might be back". LA Times. August 27, 1991. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Phoenix Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams — September 1st, 1991". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL.com: Aeneas Williams stats; Game Logs (1991)". NFL.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Phoenix Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles — September 8th, 1991". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
King, Peter (September 16, 1991). "When West Meets East". vault.si.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals — November 24th, 1991". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Phoenix Cardinals at Denver Broncos — December 15th, 1991". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Pro-Football-Reference: Aeneas Williams Career Overview". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"1991 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
"Dizziness Keeps Willis Out". Chicago Tribune. August 16, 1992. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"Former Bethel Players Keep Plugging Away". DailyPress.com. August 21, 1992. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"Around the NFL: No Massey". Washington Post. October 13, 1993. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"Dallas Cowboys at Phoenix Cardinals — November 22nd, 1992". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL.com: Aeneas Williams stats; Game Logs (1992)". NFL.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL.com: Aeneas Williams stats; Game Logs (1993)". NFL.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"New Orleans Saints at Phoenix Cardinals — October 31st, 1993". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Saints 20, Cardinals 17". UPI.com. October 31, 1993. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals — November 7th, 1993". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Litsky, Frank (January 25, 1994). "Cardinals Dismiss Bugel After Four Years". Washington Post. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"PRO FOOTBALL: CARDINALS ADD SOME PUNCH WITH HIRING OF RYAN". New York Times. February 4, 1994. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Hostetler Stakes Down To 2 Teams?". sfgate.com. February 17, 1994. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Litsky, Frank (February 19, 1994). "PRO FOOTBALL: NOTEBOOK; Beat the Cap Turns Into an Expensive New Game for Owners". New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Fans in Arizona". LA Times. September 2, 1994. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Phoenix Cardinals at Cleveland Browns — September 18th, 1994". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Phoenix Cardinals at Washington Redskins — October 16th, 1994". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Philadelphia Eagles at Phoenix Cardinals — November 20th, 1994". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Washington Redskins at Phoenix Cardinals — December 11th, 1994". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"1994 NFL Defense". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
"Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals — October 15th, 1995". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at San Diego Chargers — December 9th, 1995". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Buddy Ryan loses job in Phoenix Cardinals oust". spokesman.com. December 27, 1995. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL.com: Aeneas Williams stats; Game Logs (1995)". NFL.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"CARDS RE-SIGN CORNER; COWBOYS LOSE STARTER". deseret.com. February 27, 1996. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Cardinals name Vince Tobin head coach". Los Angeles Times. February 6, 1996. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Zimmerman, Paul (August 1, 1996). "5 Arizona Cardinals". Vault.SI.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals — October 27th, 1996". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals — November 17th, 1996". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals — November 24th, 1996". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles — December 22nd, 1996". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Zimmerman, Paul (July 16, 1997). "4 Arizona Cardinals". Vault.SI.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
Stroud, Rick (September 28, 1997). "SCOUTING REPORT: CARDINALS AT BUCS // KEY MATCHUPS". TampaBay.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
Stroud, Rick (July 17, 1997). "Sharpe cashes in with $7.2-million deal". TampaBay.com. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — September 28th, 1997". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"New York Giants at Arizona Cardinals — October 12th, 1997". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"NFL.com: Aeneas Williams stats; Game Logs (1997)". NFL.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints — December 14th, 1997". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Week 13 Injury Report". jt-sw.com. November 13, 1998. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Chicago Bears at Arizona Cardinals — October 11th, 1998". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Breaking down the Cardinals vs. Vikings". static.espn.go.com. January 6, 1999. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"EAGLES HAVE A HISTORY VS. CARDS * THE SERIES IS TIED, WHICH BOTH AGREE TO, BUT THEY ARE AT ODDS AS TO HOW MANY GAMES WERE PLAYED". mcall.com. December 13, 1998. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
"Wild-Card — Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys — January 2nd, 1999". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Divisional Round — Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings — January 10th, 1999". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles — September 12th, 1999". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Young dealing with another concussion". ESPN.com. September 29, 1999. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
"Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals — November 5th, 2000". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Pro-Football-Reference: Aeneas Williams Game Logs (2000)". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Arizona Cardinals at Washington Redskins — December 24th, 2000". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Baum, Bob (February 22, 2001). "Bird tag stuck on Aeneas". Arizona Daily Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
Pro Football Weekly Archived February 17, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
"Rams acquire Aeneas Williams". Los Angeles Times. April 22, 2001. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"St. Louis Rams at New York Jets — October 21st, 2001". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Carolina Panthers at St. Louis Rams — November 11th, 2001". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams — December 9th, 2001". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
"Aeneas Williams enjoying Super Bowl homecoming". Pocono Record. February 1, 2002. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
"Super Bowl XXXVI - St. Louis Rams vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2002". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
Taylor, Betsy (January 25, 2009). "Aeneas Williams goes from the gridiron to the pulpit". The State Journal-Register. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
"Williams to Ring, McKinnon to Hall". archive.azcentral.com.
"About — The Spirit Church". The Spirit Church. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
"Pastor Aeneas Williams opens new church location in St. Ann; grand opening is 2–5 p.m. Saturday, January 27". St. Louis American. January 24, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
"What's up with Aeneas Williams". azcentral.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
"Ex-Cardinals defensive back Aeneas Williams a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame". az central. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
Corbett, Jim (February 2, 2013). "Parcells, Carter finally make Pro Football Hall of Fame". USA Today. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
