Willis Crenshaw

Last updated

Willis Crenshaw
Date of birth (1941-07-16) July 16, 1941 (age 82)
Place of birth St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Career information
Position(s) Running back
US college Kansas State
NFL draft 1963 / Round: 9 / Pick 114
Career history
As player
1964–1969 St. Louis Cardinals
1970 Denver Broncos
Career stats

Willis Clarence Crenshaw (born July 16, 1941) is a former National Football League (NFL) running back from 1964 through 1970. [1]

Contents

High school and college career

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Crenshaw played for Soldan High School and Kansas State University, where he started out at wide receiver and was a star player; [2] [3] played in the 1963 College All Star Football Game. [4] In high school, his main sport was pole vaulting, with a personal best of 13 feet 2 inches (4.01 m); he started out with a double scholarship at Kansas State, where he recalled being one of approximately 50 Black students, before focusing on football after weight training. [4]

Professional career

St Louis Cardinals

Crenshaw was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 9th round in 1963. In 1968 he led the team in rushing with 813 yds and touchdowns (7). [2]

Denver Broncos

In 1970 he was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 3rd-round draft pick; he played one season, [4] [5] [6] although he was listed for the 1971 season. [7]

Later career

Crenshaw later worked selling life insurance, for Monsanto, and as a financial planner. [4]

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References

  1. ↑ "Willis Crenshaw" at Pro Football Reference.com.
  2. 1 2 "The Top 100 St. Louis Football Cardinals (90-81): 88. Willis Crenshaw (RB)", The Big Red Zone, August 14, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Willis Crenshaw", College Football at Sports Reference.com.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Crenshaw Defies Odds to Reach NFL", Kansas State University Athletics, September 3, 2013.
  5. ↑ Brian Shrout, "Do The Broncos Shuffle: Draft Related Trades During Denver's First Two Decades", Mile High Report, April 18, 2011.
  6. ↑ CaptainKirk, "Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #33", Mile High Report, April 21, 2011.
  7. ↑ 1971 Denver Broncos media guide, p. 16.


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