27 Facts About Bill Bates

William Frederick Bates was born on June 6,1961 and is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 15-year career as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.

Bill Bates attended Farragut High School in Farragut, Tennessee, where he played under rising head coach Ken Sparks.

Bill Bates recorded over 1,000 return yards, 14 interceptions, and nearly 200 tackles during his high school career where he was known for his hard hitting tackles.

Bill Bates helped lead the Admirals to the state semi-finals in 1978, in which the Admirals lost to Red Bank by one point.

Bill Bates was all-state in football and basketball his senior year.

Bill Bates was considered the 4th best high school recruit in the state in football.

Bill Bates played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1979 through the 1982 season, where he was a four-year starter, the first two at free safety and the last two at strong safety.

On October 20,1979, Bill Bates recorded 8 tackles, a sack, and 2 fumble recoveries against Alabama, who were ranked number one and would go on to win the national championship that year.

Bill Bates won the team's "hardest hitter" award on several occasions throughout his career.

Bill Bates was named second-team All-SEC as a junior and senior.

Bill Bates went undrafted in the 1983 NFL draft after he ran the 40-yard dash in a disappointing 4.8 seconds during the NFL Scouting Combine.

Bill Bates was selected by the New Jersey Generals in the 1983 USFL Territorial Draft, but he decided to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, which had been his favorite team growing up.

Bill Bates was a long shot to make the team but he earned a roster spot.

Bill Bates started in the regular-season against the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams at strong safety, replacing an injured Dextor Clinkscale.

Bill Bates started against the Indianapolis Colts at strong safety, making a team-high 7 tackles, one sack, one interception, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

Bill Bates started against the Washington Redskins at outside linebacker.

Bill Bates led the team with 10 defensive tackles in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins.

Bill Bates posted 52 defensive tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Bill Bates set a club record for defensive backs with 5 sacks.

Bill Bates was selected to the Pro Bowl in just his second year, after influencing the NFL to create a first-time roster spot for special teams players that were non-returners, making Bates the first such player to receive that honor.

Bill Bates was named All-Pro and NFL special teams player of the year.

Bill Bates had 51 defensive tackles, 4 interceptions and one sack.

Bill Bates received the team's Bob Lilly Award four consecutive seasons from 1990 to 1994.

Bill Bates was on injured reserve during the 1992 season, when the Cowboys played in Super Bowl XXVII, due to a knee injury.

In 2003, Bill Bates spent a year as special teams coach under head coach and former Cowboy linebacker Jack Del Rio.

In 2005, Bill Bates was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill Bates was named to the 100 Year All Tennessee Team.