35 Facts About Bobby Dillon

Bobby Dan Dillon was an American professional football player in the National Football League.

Bobby Dillon played as a safety and spent his entire eight-year career with the Green Bay Packers.

Bobby Dillon finished his college career with 13 interceptions on defense, one touchdown as a halfback, and multiple kick returns for touchdowns.

Bobby Dillon was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd round of the 1952 NFL draft.

Bobby Dillon was a four-time Associated Press All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler.

Bobby Dillon intended to retire at the end of the 1958 season, but the Packers' new head coach, Vince Lombardi, convinced him to return for the 1959 season.

In recognition of his football achievements, Bobby Dillon was elected to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Bobby Dillon died on August 22,2019, at the age of 89, after complications from dementia.

Bobby Dan Dillon was born on February 23,1930, in Pendleton, Texas, one of four children of Cyde and Ruby Dillon.

Bobby Dillon's family moved to Temple, Texas, where he grew up and his father was employed as a police officer.

At the age of five or six, Bobby Dillon got a small piece of metal in his left eye, which caused a cataract to grow; Bobby Dillon had surgery to remove the cataract.

At the age of ten, Bobby Dillon had his left eye removed, and it was replaced with a glass eye.

Bobby Dillon attended Temple High School, where he played football from 1945 to 1947.

Bobby Dillon earned a football scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin.

At Texas, Bobby Dillon was an All-American safety, finishing his college career with 13 interceptions.

Bobby Dillon's 190 interception return yards was a Texas school record until 1995.

At Texas, Bobby Dillon participated in track and field as a sprinter.

Bobby Dillon was a member of two SWC-champion track and field teams while at Texas.

Bobby Dillon was drafted out of Texas by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 1952 NFL Draft.

Bobby Dillon played with the Packers from 1952 to 1959, becoming the all-time Packers career interceptions leader, with 52.

Bobby Dillon led the Packers in interceptions for seven of his eight seasons in the league, and he had nine interceptions in a season three times.

When he retired, Bobby Dillon had the second most interceptions in league history, behind only Emlen Tunnell, who was at that time Bobby Dillon's teammate.

Bobby Dillon was selected to the Pro Bowl every season from 1955 to 1958, and was named an Associated Press All-Pro in 1954,1955,1957, and 1958, while earning All-Pro honors from other organizations in 1953 and 1956.

In June 1959, Bobby Dillon informed the team that he intended to retire.

Bobby Dillon returned for the 1959 NFL season, playing in the first eight games before being sidelined with a leg injury and losing his starting job to John Symank.

Bobby Dillon ultimately retired before the end of that season, at the age of 29.

Bobby Dillon remained with the company for 36 years, eventually becoming president and chief executive.

On January 27,1951, Bobby Dillon married Ann Bobby Dillon, with whom he had two children.

Bobby Dillon died on August 22,2019, at the age of 89 in Temple, due to complications from dementia.

Bobby Dillon was survived by his two children, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Bobby Dillon's only winning season came after Lombardi convinced him to un-retire for the 1959 season, where he teamed up with Emlen Tunnell to form one of the best defensive backfields in history.

Bobby Dillon was well respected though for the personal success he attained in the NFL, especially considering he played his entire career with just one eye.

However, due to the poor play of the Packers during his tenure, Bobby Dillon had to wait many years of his accolades.

However, after over 50 years of eligibility, it was announced in January 2020 that Bobby Dillon would be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the NFL's centennial class, a special expanded class of inductees to celebrate the 100th season of the NFL.

When [Vince] Lombardi came here, he talked about Bobby Dillon being the best defensive back in the league at the time.