1. Billy Kilmer was used as a running back and wide receiver.
26 Facts About Billy Kilmer
1. 2.
Billy Kilmer played college football for the UCLA Bruins, then 18 seasons as a professional.
3.
In 1964, while playing running back for the 49ers, Kilmer played a supporting role in one of the most infamous incidents in gridiron history when Vikings defensive lineman Jim Marshall ran Kilmer's fumble back 66 yards into the wrong end zone.
4.
Billy Kilmer transferred to UCLA in 1958 and played three seasons.
5.
Billy Kilmer capped off his college career with an outstanding senior season in 1960: he threw for over 1,000 yards, ran for over 800, scored eight touchdowns and served as the team's punter.
6.
Billy Kilmer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
7.
Billy Kilmer was the 11th overall selection of the 1961 NFL draft, taken by the 49ers.
8.
Billy Kilmer was selected in the fifth round of the 1961 AFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, but signed with San Francisco on December 30,1960.
9.
Billy Kilmer was able to return the following year, but his production was limited.
10.
On October 25,1964, Billy Kilmer fumbled after catching a pass from George Mira.
11.
On February 10,1967, Billy Kilmer was selected in the expansion draft by the New Orleans Saints and, despite originally being thought of as the team's third-best signal caller, became the team's starting quarterback for much of the next four seasons.
12.
Billy Kilmer lost his starting job in 1967 after the first three games, and was replaced by former Baltimore Colt quarterback Gary Cuozzo.
13.
On November 8,1970, in a home game versus the Detroit Lions, Billy Kilmer led what proved to be a game-winning drive, although he could only bring the Saints as far as their own 44 yard line.
14.
Frustrated after four years of the Saints' futility and sensing New Orleans would draft Ole Miss star Archie Manning with the second overall pick of the 1971 NFL draft, Billy Kilmer asked to be traded and was granted his wish on January 23,1971, when he was dealt to the Washington Redskins for linebacker Tom Roussel and two draft selections.
15.
Billy Kilmer seemed destined for a reserve role behind future Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen.
16.
Billy Kilmer got the starting job and kept it for most of the next four seasons, but Jurgensen stayed on as his backup.
17.
Billy Kilmer briefly lost his starting job as a result of the slide but regained it after Jurgensen again injured his shoulder.
18.
However, Washington could not finish the comeback, as Billy Kilmer was sacked by Vern Den Herder as time expired with the team far from the end zone.
19.
Billy Kilmer beat out both Jurgensen and Theismann for the starting job.
20.
Billy Kilmer remained with the Redskins until he retired after the 1978 season.
21.
Billy Kilmer finished his 18-year NFL career with 1,585 completions in 2,984 attempts for 20,495 yards and 154 touchdowns, with 146 interceptions.
22.
Billy Kilmer rushed for 1,509 yards and 21 touchdowns, caught 27 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown, and punted the ball 16 times for 598 yards.
23.
Billy Kilmer got arrested at the Toddle House, a coffee shop in Arlington, Virginia.
24.
On December 11,1976, Billy Kilmer was arrested for drunk driving less than two days before a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
25.
Billy Kilmer served as coach of the Shreveport Steamers of the American Football Association in 1979 and commissioner of the same league in 1981, but left as a result of numerous problems under his tenure as well as a lack of payment.
26.
Billy Kilmer occasionally makes appearances in Mobile, Alabama, in support of the GMAC Bowl.