Only Canton called Wood  

Dec. 10, 1959

Dear Mr. Lombardi,

I am Bill Butler, athletics instructor at the Boys Club in Washington, D.C., and my reason for writing is simply because I was told by Willie Wood, QB and co-captain of the Southern California Trojans, that you were interested in him, but I didn't see his name on your draft selections and I wondered why.

Willie came up under my wing at the Boys Club and I know he's a terrific football player ... I can say quite safely that the Trojans' offensive style of play certainly didn't embellish Willie's all-around ability by any means, for this kid is a "thinking man's" ballplayer, a real good field general of the Eddie LaBaron mold, good ball handler, strong runner and a tremendous passer. He can really throw the long ball.

Mr. Lombardi, if you could see this kid unshackled you would really agree with me.

If you hadn't contemplated giving him a chance, just try him one time and I'll guarantee you'll be glad you did. If you can find the time, I sure would like to hear from you and maybe we at the Boys Club can be told by you the things maybe we fail to see.

Respectfully,

Bill Butler



Fifty years ago, Willie Wood did not receive a phone call during or after the National Football League draft.

The quarterback from USC was overlooked by all 13 NFL teams. While the two-year Trojan starter played at a major program, at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Wood was deemed too small and unpolished by NFL standards for the position. [img_r]http://www.profootballhof.com/assets/Wood_Action_180x220.jpg[/img_r]

A severe collarbone injury that nagged him for two seasons at USC also created doubt in the mind of professional scouts. But the biggest strike against him was the color of his skin.

A black NFL quarterback was a rarity in the 1950s; a starting black quarterback was unheard of.

Racism was still prevalent in society and professional football was not immune to those prejudices. Black athletes were simply not allowed to play quarterback.

Wood analyzed the reality of his situation and the rosters of every NFL team and embarked on a letter-writing campaign to targeted clubs, requesting a tryout at a new position: defensive back.

Only one team gave him the opportunity.

Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers sent Wood back a positive letter and dispatched personnel and scouting director Jack Vainisi to meet him in California.

Wood impressed Vainisi enough to land a $6,500 free-agent contract and an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.

Wood was the last player to make the 1960 Packer squad, the humble beginning to a Pro Football Hall of Fame career for one of the best safeties in NFL history and one of only seven non-drafted free agents to have their bust in Canton.

Wood became a starter for Lombardi in his second season and earned All-Pro honors nine times and played in eight Pro Bowls.

He proved to be one of the hardest hitters, surest tacklers and most durable players in Green Bay history, appearing in 166 consecutive games during his 12-year career from 1960-'71.

In the 90-year history of the franchise, that regular-season total has been topped only by Brett Favre (255), Forrest Gregg (187) and Rob Davis (167).

Lombardi called Wood the Packers' best tackler on a team that won five NFL titles and two Super Bowl championships in the 1960s.

Unfortunately, the numerous hits he both delivered and received may be responsible for the poor physical condition Wood is in now.

Wood, 73, suffers from dementia and lives in an assisted living facility in his hometown of Washington, D.C.

It is difficult for Wood to recall the details, the championships and even his teammates from the Packers' glory days.

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"They brought Willie over to me at the show and he didn't know who I was," former Green Bay cornerback Herb Adderley said. "It hurt me to my heart. He's in a wheelchair and didn't remember any of the guys.

"I said to him, 'Who do you think was your roommate in Green Bay for nine years and the best man at your wedding?' I said, 'I'm him.' Then he remembered some."

Wood's career did not get off to a hall of fame start. He played sparingly in his rookie season, mainly on special teams and in spot situations.

In the sixth game of the 1960 season against the Baltimore Colts, led by quarterback Johnny Unitas and receiver Raymond Berry, Wood replaced an injured Jesse Whittenton.

The Colts duo torched Wood so badly that he was removed from the game.

At the airport awaiting a flight back to Wisconsin, several teammates chided the rookie about his performance.

But Lombardi told Wood, as written by David Maraniss in "When Pride Still Mattered:" "Don't you believe anything those fellows say. You're not going anywhere. You're staying right with me. Every one of those guys making fun of you has had the same things happen to them. You're going to be here as long as I'm here."

It was the longest conversation Wood ever had with Lombardi, but the vote of confidence erased any doubts the free-agent rookie had about his own ability.

"He gave me confidence when he did that," Wood said in Maraniss' book. "I said, 'What I'm doing has got to be right because the man believes in me.' I think it made a hell of a better ballplayer out of me."

Indeed. Wood became a starter in the 1961 season and led the Packers in interceptions with five (tied with three others) and the NFL in punt returns with a 16.1-yard average and two touchdowns.

A year later, he led the league with nine interceptions as Green Bay won its second NFL title under Lombardi.

He was a leader on the defensive unit in Super Bowls I and II, changing the first contest against Kansas City with a third-quarter interception of quarterback Len Dawson.

Wood returned it 50 yards to the Chiefs' 5-yard line to set up Elijah Pitts' touchdown run that increased Green Bay's 14-10 halftime lead to 21-10.

Wood's high level of play continued until his retirement in 1971, and his 48 career interceptions earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

After his playing career, Wood went into coaching, first serving as an assistant with the San Diego Chargers in 1972.

In 1975, Wood became the first black head coach in modern professional football with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. After the demise of the WFL, Wood duplicated that feat in the Canadian Football League, directing the Toronto Argonauts for two seasons from 1980-'81.

Former teammate Jerry Kramer remembers Wood for his remarkable athleticism, which included his friendly competition with a defensive legend.

"Wood and Nitsch (Ray Nitschke) used to have throwing contests after training camp practice," Kramer said. "Ray could throw the ball 90 yards; Willie could throw it 80-85 yards in the air. And Wood could jump up and dunk a football over the crossbar of the goalpost, pretty easily I might add."

Former Chicago tight end Mike Ditka remembers Wood for his hitting prowess.

"The hardest hit I took wasn't from Ray Nitschke, it was from Willie Wood," Ditka said in a phone interview Monday. "I caught a hook pass, and he drilled me. I thought I broke my spleen. I had to leave the game.

"When you're talking about Willie Wood, you're talking about an outstanding athlete and a great football player."

Ditka said it's difficult to see former teammates and opponents face medical challenges.

"I don't mind the physical things - hips and knees - but when the hits and concussions have lifelong mental effects like with Willie, something has to be done," Ditka said.

The plight of former players such as Wood was the subject of a controversial hearing by the House Judiciary Committee on Oct. 28, 2009.

The hearing came after a preliminary study done for the NFL suggested that retired professional football players are reporting higher rates of Alzheimer's disease, dementia and other memory issues than the general population.

Wood struggles to pay his bills with a small football pension.

"Players today make a lot of money, and they deserve everything they can get in this business," Ditka said. "But we have to do more for guys like Willie Wood."