Willie Roaf

Last updated

Willie Roaf
Willie Roaf at Camp Basra 2-3-09.JPG
Roaf in February 2008
No. 77
Position: Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1970-04-18) April 18, 1970 (age 54)
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school: Pine Bluff
College: Louisiana Tech
NFL draft: 1993  / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:189
Games started:189
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

William Layton Roaf (born April 18, 1970), nicknamed "Nasty", [1] is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, where he earned consensus All-American honors. He was a first-round pick in the 1993 NFL draft, and played professionally for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. An 11-time Pro Bowl selection and nine-time All-Pro, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Contents

Early years

Roaf was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. [2] He graduated from Pine Bluff High School, [3] where he played for the Pine Bluff Zebras high school football and basketball teams. He was lightly recruited out of high school, and even considered pursuing basketball instead of football in college.

His father, Clifton George Roaf, was a dentist [4] and his mother, Andree Layton Roaf, was the first black woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court. [5] [6]

College football career

Roaf received an athletic scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech University, where he had an outstanding career for the Bulldogs from 1989 to 1992. Known for his blocking ability and his considerable speed for his size, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American, and was also a finalist in his senior year for the Outland Trophy for the best offensive lineman in college. [4] Roaf made appearances in the Hula Bowl and the East–West Shrine Game.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄2 in
(1.94 m)		308 lb
(140 kg)		34+7⁄8 in
(0.89 m)		10+3⁄4 in
(0.27 m)		5.03 s1.76 s2.92 s4.82 s24.0 in
(0.61 m)		9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)		25 reps
All values from NFL Combine [7]

He began his professional football career with the NFL's New Orleans Saints, who selected him with the eighth pick of the first round in the 1993 NFL draft. [8] The draft pick was acquired from the Detroit Lions for the rights to Pat Swilling. [9] Roaf played nine seasons for the Saints; [10] he was named to seven Pro Bowls, and won a spot on both the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the 2000s All-Decade Team, making him the most awarded player in Saints history. [4] Roaf suffered a season-ending injury in 2001 and then was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in March 2002 for a conditional draft choice. He played four more seasons with the Chiefs, and was selected for the Pro Bowl in each of those four years, for a total of 11 Pro Bowl selections. [4] His election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame was announced on February 4, 2012. Roaf played a pivotal role in the run block on the offense with the most rushing touchdowns back to back seasons in NFL history. #1,4 & 5.

On July 28, 2006, Roaf told the Kansas City Star that he was retiring from football. General manager Carl Peterson said he was holding out hoping that Roaf would reverse his decision, but Roaf said he was "solid" on retirement. [11] In 2009 Roaf took his first coaching job, as the offensive line coach at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California. [12]

Roaf has been elected to Sports Halls of Fame for Louisiana Tech Athletics (in 2003), Arkansas (in 2007), [13] Louisiana (in 2009), [4] [14] Greater New Orleans (in 2012), and the New Orleans Saints (in 2008). [15] East West Shrine (2018) He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on February 4, 2012, in his second year of eligibility. [16] Roaf went into the Saints Ring of Honor (2013) Arkansas Black Hall of Fame along with his mother, a legacy inductee. (2013) Roaf was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. [17] [18] Roaf is also in the Kansas Chiefs Chiefs Hall of Honor (2011), was as NFL 100th Anniversary Team finalist (2019), and has been inducted to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2022).[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Roaf has two sisters and one brother. His sister Phoebe Alison Roaf is the Episcopal Bishop for the Diocese of West Tennessee. [19]

Roaf has four children and one step daughter. [20] He is married to Angela Hernandez Roaf. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Robinson (safety)</span> American football player (born 1938)

Johnny Nolan Robinson is a former American football player. He was primarily a safety, but also played on offense as a halfback and flanker early in his career. He played college football at Louisiana State University (LSU) for the Tigers.

Patrick Travis Swilling is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, and the Oakland Raiders. He had five Pro Bowl appearances in his NFL career and was the Associated Press (AP) NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1991. He served from 2001 to 2004 as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Willie Edward Lanier, is a former American football linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 through 1977. He won postseason honors for eight consecutive years, making the American Football League All-Star team in 1968 and 1969 before being selected to the Pro Bowl from 1970 through 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buck Buchanan</span> American football player (1940–1992)

Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle with the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League (AFL) and in the National Football League (NFL). Buchanan was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Buchanan was massive for his era, standing at 6'7", and weighing 270 lbs. His height gave him a big advantage against lineman in the trenches.

Willie Aaron Anderson is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers. He was selected by the Bengals 10th overall in the 1996 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection, Anderson played his first 12 seasons with the Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Simoneau</span> American football player (born 1977)

Mark Lee Simoneau is a former American college and professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. He played college football for Kansas State University and was recognized as an All-American. He was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft, and played for the Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL.

The 1967 NFL/AFL draft was conducted March 14–15, 1967, at the Gotham Hotel in New York City. It was the first common draft between the NFL and the AFL, part of the AFL–NFL merger agreement of June 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Parks</span> American football player (1941–2019)

David Wayne Parks was an American football wide receiver and tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He was the first overall selection in the 1964 NFL Draft out of Texas Technological College. Parks was selected to three Pro Bowls, and was an All-Pro selection two times. In 1965 he captured the "triple crown" of receiving, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. In 2008 Parks was selected to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football</span> College football organization

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represents Louisiana Tech University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. After 12 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, Louisiana Tech began competing as a member of Conference USA in 2013. Since 1968, the Bulldogs have played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Since its first season in 1901, Louisiana Tech has compiled an all-time record of 640 wins, 496 losses, and 37 ties. In 123 football seasons, the Bulldogs have won 3 Division II national championships, won 25 conference championships, and played in 28 postseason games, including 13 major college bowl games. The Bulldogs are currently coached by Sonny Cumbie.

Ejiro "E. J." Megetaveh Kuale [kuh-WAL-ee] is a former professional American and Canadian football linebacker. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football for the LSU Tigers.

Bill Kuharich is an American professional football executive, specializing in player-personnel ; he has also held the general manager position. Kuharich is the son of Joe Kuharich, former college and NFL head coach. He attended Middlebury College graduating in 1976 with a degree in History, and received a master's degree in education from St. Lawrence University. He also attended Deerfield Academy and Malvern Preparatory School.

Andree Yvonne Layton Roaf was an Arkansas lawyer and jurist. She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Arkansas Supreme Court, and is the mother of former NFL offensive lineman Willie Roaf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terron Armstead</span> American football player (born 1991)

Terron Armstead is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football at Arkansas–Pine Bluff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Gay</span> American football player (born 1998)

Willie Gay Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L'Jarius Sneed</span> American football player (born 1997)

L'Jarius Sneed is an American football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Phoebe Alison Roaf is an American prelate who is the fourth and current Bishop of West Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Williams</span> American football player (born 1999)

Milton Jawaun Williams is an American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana Tech and was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Mark Evans II is an American football offensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Arkansas–Pine Bluff.

References

  1. ↑ Damon Hack, "The Fall Hunt Is On at Arrowhead," New York Times (September 5, 2004). Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  2. ↑ National Football League, Historical Players, Willie Roaf. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ databaseFootball.com, Players, Willie Roaf Archived March 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Mickles, Sheldon (June 21, 2009). "Saints' Roaf ruled the line". The Advocate. p. 3C.
  5. ↑ "Andree Yvonne Layton Roaf (1941–)" at Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture (retrieved July 1, 2009).
  6. ↑ "Andree Layton Roaf, first black woman to serve on Arkansas Supreme Court, dies at 68", Associated Press at KFSM-TV website, July 1, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Willie Roaf, Combine Results, OT - Louisiana Tech". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  8. ↑ "1993 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  9. ↑ Peter King, "Inside The NFL Draft," CNNSI (May 3, 1993).
  10. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, Willie Roaf. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
  11. ↑ Len Pasquarelli,"Chiefs Pro Bowl tackle Roaf retires", ESPN.com, July 28, 2006
  12. ↑ "Willie Roaf brings expertise to Area Combine: Former Chiefs tackle to coach linemen", Amarillo Globe-News , May 17, 2009.
  13. ↑ "Willie Roaf" at Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame website (retrieved July 4, 2009).
  14. ↑ Brian Allee-Walsh, "Ex-New Orleans Saints tackle Willie Roaf to make stop at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame", The Times-Picayune , June 20, 2009
  15. ↑ Mike Triplett, "Roaf chosen for Saints' Hall of Fame", The Times-Picayune , May 21, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Class of 2011 finalists". Pro Football HOF. January 9, 2011. Archived from the original on November 12, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Willie Roaf Selected to 2014 College Football Hall of Fame". Sporting Life Arkansas. May 22, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Roaf selected for college hall". Arkansas Online. May 22, 2014. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ Kuruvilla, Carol (May 9, 2019). "Former Lawyer Becomes First Black Female Episcopal Bishop In The South". HuffPost. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  20. ↑ Johnson, Luke (May 22, 2020). "Q&A: Willie Roaf on the toughest player he ever faced and his favorite Saints memory". nola.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  21. ↑ Cunningham, Jimmy (September 28, 2021). "William (Willie) Roaf (1970–)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.