Will Blackwell

For the offensive lineman, see Will Blackwell (offensive lineman).

Will Blackwell

No. 89
Born:	(1975-07-09) July 9, 1975 (age 49) Texarkana, Texas, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)	Wide receiver
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	196 lb (89 kg)
College	San Diego State
High school	Skyline (Oakland, California)
NFL draft	1997, round: 2, pick: 53
Career history
As player
1997–2001	Pittsburgh Steelers
2002	St. Louis Rams* [1]
*Offseason and/or practice squad member only

William Herman Blackwell Jr. (born July 9, 1975) was a former American professional football player who was a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Blackwell was picked in the second round of the 1997 NFL draft with high expectations based on his successful career at San Diego State University, but he played sparingly in five years in the NFL. ^[2] He now coaches the Skyline High School football team in Oakland, California. ^[3]

College

Blackwell decided to attend San Diego State University. Blackwell was WAC freshman of the year in 1994. ^[4] Blackwell was Individual Statistical Leader with 86 catches and 1206 yards. ^[5] Blackwell was coached by Dino Babers and Curtis Johnson. ^{[6] [7]} Blackwell was a 1000-yard receiver in 1996. ^[8] Blackwell's combine results were enough to get him to the NFL. ^[9]

Blackwell was Freshman of the year, 1994 and first team Western Athletic Conference in 1995 and 1996.

College stats

Receiving and Rushing

Year		Receiving
		Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
1994		51	689	13.5	6
1995		86	1207	14.0	8
1996		60	1000	16.7	11
Total		197	2896	14.7	25

Scoring

Year		Receiving
		G	Rec	Pts
1994		11	6	36
1995		12	8	48
1996		9	11	66
Total			25	150

NFL

Career stats

Year	Rushing						Receiving
	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Lng		Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Lng
1997	2	14	7.0	0	11		12	168	14.0	1	46
1998	0	0	0	0	0		32	297	9.3	1	24
1999	0	0	0	0	0		20	186	9.3	0	26
2000	0	0	0	0	0		2	23	11.5	0	14
2001	0	0	0	0	0		1	8	8.0	0	8
Total	2	14	7.0	0	0		67	682	10.2	2	0

Blackwell was part of The Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship, an annual program administered by the NFL Management Council and NFL Player. Blackwell was one of four interns hand picked. ^[10]

Blackwell was only one of five Steelers to have returned kickoffs for touchdowns (JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2017, Antonio Brown in 2010, Allen Rossum in 2007, Antwaan Randle El in 2002 and Will Blackwell in 2000). ^{[11] [12]} In 2001, Blackwell reinjured his left knee in Pittsburgh's 21–3 loss to Jacksonville. Coach Bill Cowher said Blackwell, who missed the first half of last year with a knee injury. ^[13] Blackwell along with four other LSU players were released August 28, 2012 in the first round of major cuts. ^[14]

Blackwell spent one month with the St Louis Rams and was cut August 31, 2002. ^[15]

Personal life

Blackwell lives in California. Blackwell works for Oakland Unified School District. He is a Receiver Coach, Restorative Practice Facilitator and Assistant Athletic Director for McClymonds High School. Blackwell also is the Head Coach for Varsity Baseball and a Community relations liaison.

Blackwell is the African American Male Achievement Program Manager helping Oakland's public schools fight to save black boys. ^{[16] [17]}

References

1. "Will Blackwell". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 21, 2024.
2. "1997 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
3. DeWitt, Nick. "The 10 Biggest Draft Mistakes in Pittsburgh Steelers History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
4. "Google Books". books.google.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
5. "Google Books". books.google.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
6. "Syracuse University Athletics - 2017 Football Coaching Staff". cuse.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
7. "Football Bowl Guide" (PDF). static.hurricanesports.com/custompages/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/bowlguide.pdf.
8. "Aztecs rally past UW". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
9. "Will Blackwell | WR | San Diego State - NFL Combine Results". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
10. "Coaches join Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship". swac.org. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
11. Bires. "Steelers Get A Good Return on Logan" (PDF).
12. Marczi, Matthew (January 1, 2018). "JuJu Smith-Schuster's Kick Return Score The First For Steelers Since Antonio Brown In 2010".
13. "Will Blackwell, Steelers Blackwell, a wide receiver..." tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
14. "Ex-LSU players Will Blackwell, Ryan Baker among cuts at NFL camps". NOLA.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
15. "2002 St. Louis Rams Transactions: Free Agency, Trades & more". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
16. "Will Blackwell".
17. "How Oakland's public schools are fighting to save black boys". MSNBC. Retrieved January 28, 2018.