No. 33 | |||||||
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Position: | Safety | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Silsbee, Texas, U.S. | September 27, 1959||||||
Career information | |||||||
College: | Texas | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1982 / Round: 5 / Pick: 127 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com |
William Roger Graham (born September 27, 1959) is an American former football player who played safety for six seasons for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL).
William Graham played defensive back for the Texas Longhorns from 1979 to 1981. In 11 games in 1980, he recorded four interceptions. In 11 games in 1981, he recorded seven more, tying the school record, leading the Southwest Conference and tied for third in the nation. His 11 career interceptions were fourth all-time at Texas. [1] [2]
Graham was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions in the 1982 NFL Draft. He played in seven games his rookie season, then fourteen (all but the first two, and all as a starter) in 1983 during which he recovered three fumbles as a free safety. In 1984, he started 13 of 14 games (missing two in late October due to an injury), recorded his first career interception in a Thanksgiving victory over Green Bay in week 13, and two more interceptions off former Lions quarterback Greg Landry in a season-finale loss to the Chicago Bears. In 1985, Graham started in all 16 games for the only time in his career. He again recorded three interceptions (including two in a week-11 victory over the Minnesota Vikings) and his only career sack. In 1987, Graham was no longer a starter, though he appeared in all 16 games and was used occasionally as a kickoff returner (three returns for 72 yards). He appeared in just two games in 1988, and was released at the end of the season. [3] He is one of 16 players in Lions history with two or more multiple-interception games. [4]
Robert Yale Lary Sr. was an American professional football player, businessman, and politician. He played for 11 seasons as a safety, punter and return specialist for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was also selected for the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team.
John LeRoy Christiansen was an American professional football player who became a college and pro coach. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions as a safety and return specialist from 1951 to 1958. He helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957 and was a first-team All-NFL player in six of his eight years in the league. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1953 and 1957 and in punt returns for touchdown in 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1956. His eight career punt returns for touchdowns was an NFL record until 1989 and remains the fourth best in league history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
George Theo Teague is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He played college football at the University of Alabama.
Anthony Danel Henry is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft and also played for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. He played college football at South Florida.
Dan Orlovsky is an American football analyst for ESPN and former American football quarterback who was active for twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Connecticut. As a junior his 33 passing touchdowns ranked 7th in NCAA Division 1-A. Orlovsky also played for the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams.
Nathaniel DeWayne Vasher is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Vasher was a Pro Bowler and played for the Bears in Super Bowl XLI. He was also been a member of the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.
Brock Elliot Marion is an American former professional football player who was a free safety for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack, he was chosen in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He also played for the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions, and was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins. He is the son of NFL player Jerry Marion.
Stoney Jarrod Case is a former quarterback for three teams in the National Football League (NFL) and three teams in the Arena Football League (AFL).
Charles Anthony Tillman, nicknamed "Peanut", is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Donald Wayne Hollas is a former American football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for six seasons during the 1990s. He played college football for Rice University and thereafter was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. Hollas also played for the Oakland Raiders.
William Eugene White was an American professional football player who was a safety for eleven seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons from 1988 to 1998.
Glover Freeman Quin Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Quinn stayed in Houston for four seasons. He then also played for the Detroit Lions for six seasons.
Kameron Darnel Chancellor, nicknamed "Bam Bam", is an American former professional football player who was a strong safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies prior to being selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. A four-time Pro Bowler, he was one of the key members of their Legion of Boom secondary. He also helped lead the Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl XLVIII. Chancellor retired following complications from a neck injury he suffered in 2017.
Harrison Smith is an American football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft with the 29th overall pick.
George Arinze Iloka is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Boise State and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Tavon Wilson is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at the University of Illinois, and was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. With the Patriots, Wilson won Super Bowl XLIX, and he has also played for the Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts.
Kenneth Dwayne Vaccaro is a former American football safety who played in the National Football League and founder and CEO of the Gamers First organization. They have teams in Halo and other major Esport titles. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft and also played for the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at Texas. On December 1, 2021 he retired to pursue a career in Esports.
Quandre Diggs is an American football free safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played his first two years in the NFL as a cornerback before being moved to safety. In 2019, Diggs was traded to the Seahawks.
Jayron Kearse is an American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Clemson and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Tariq Woolen is an American football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UTSA and was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.