22 Facts About Dave Whitsell

David Andrew Whitsell was an American professional football cornerback in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and New Orleans Saints.

Dave Whitsell was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1967 season.

Dave Whitsell was born on June14,1936, in Shelby, Michigan, a small town in West Michigan near Lake Michigan.

Dave Whitsell earned 16 high school letters in football, basketball, track, and baseball, graduating in 1954.

Dave Whitsell competed in hurdles, broad jump and shot put on the track team, winning the Class C broad jump championship in 1954.

Dave Whitsell was named to the All-WMC football team that year.

Dave Whitsell attended the University of Indiana, and played two years on the varsity football team.

Dave Whitsell was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 24th round of the 1958 NFL Draft.

Dave Whitsell appeared in 35 career games with the Lions over the next three years, but started in only three, with one interception.

Dave Whitsell was exposed in the 1961 expansion draft, and was taken by the newly created Minnesota Vikings.

Dave Whitsell was given the nickname "Weasel" for his cunning style of play.

Dave Whitsell had 26 interceptions for the Bears, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Just as in 1961, Dave Whitsell was left exposed in the 1967 expansion draft, and was taken by the newly created New Orleans Saints.

In 1967, Dave Whitsell tied for the NFL league lead in interceptions with 10, two of which he returned for touchdowns.

Dave Whitsell was defensive player of the week in the eighth week of the 1967 season, in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown.

Dave Whitsell started 13 games for the Saints in 1968 at free safety, with six interceptions; and had three interceptions at free safety in 1969, starting in 12 games.

Dave Whitsell was traded to the Dallas Cowboys before the 1970 season, who waived him, ending his professional football career.

At the time he retired Dave Whitsell had 46 career interceptions, four of which he returned for touchdowns.

Dave Whitsell ranked in the top 10 for interceptions all-time at that point.

Dave Whitsell was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1996.

Dave Whitsell was a member of the National Football League Retired Players Association and the Kenner North Kiwanis Club.

Dave Whitsell was diagnosed with colon and prostate cancer in 1995 and died from cancer in 1999.