Willie Parker (defensive tackle)

Last updated

Willie Parker
No. 74
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1945-03-12) March 12, 1945 (age 80)
Bastrop, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:275 lb (125 kg)
Career information
High school:Morehouse (Bastrop)
College: Arkansas–Pine Bluff (1963–1966)
NFL draft: 1967: 5th round, 118th pick
Career history
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Willie David Parker (born March 12, 1945) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played four seasons with the Houston Oilers. He was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft after playing college football at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was also a member of the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League (WFL).

Contents

Early life and college

Willie David Parker was born on March 12, 1945, in Bastrop, Louisiana. [1] He attended Morehouse High School in Bastrop. [1]

Parker played college football for the Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff from 1963 to 1966. [1]

Professional career

Parker was selected by the Houston Oilers in the fifth round, with the 118th overall pick of the 1967 NFL draft. [2] He played in all 14 games, starting ten, for the Oilers during his rookie year in 1967 and recorded two sacks. [2] He also started one playoff game that season. [2] Parker started all 14 games in 1968, totaling two sacks, as the Oilers finished with a 7–7 record. [3] [2] He played in 12 games, starting two, during the 1969 season, recording three sacks and one fumble recovery. [2] He also appeared in one playoff game that year. [2] Parker started all 14 games during his final season with the Oilers in 1970, totaling four sacks and one fumble recovery, as the Oilers went 3–10–1. [4] [2] He was released in 1971. [5]

Parker signed with the Houston Texans of the upstart World Football League in 1974. [5] He was a member of the Houston Texans/Shreveport Steamer during the 1974 and 1975 seasons. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Willie Parker". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Willie Parker". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  3. "1968 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  4. "1970 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference . Retrieved March 17, 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Willie Parker Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 17, 2025.