Willie Lanier
- Kansas City Chiefs (1967-1977)
- 8 × Pro Bowl selection (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 )
- 8 × All-Pro selection (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 )
- NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team
- Pro Bowl MVP (1971 )
- Locked back number with the Kansas City Chiefs
- AFL Champion (1969 )
- Super Bowl winner IV
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986 )
- College Football Hall of Fame (2000)
- Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (1986 )
- Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame (1984 )
- NFL Man of the Year Award ( 1972)
Willie Edward Lanier ( born August 21, 1945 in Clover, Virginia, United States), nicknamed " Bear ", " Honey Bear " or "Contact", is a former American professional American football player. He played as a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League ( AFL) and the National Football League ( NFL).
Youth
Willie Lanier grew up in Richmond and attended high school. In his spare time he wore from newspapers touting Zeitungsabbonnenten. After finishing school he applied in 1963 at the Morgan State University. The access test, he was considered one of the best.
Playing career
College career
The Morgan State University awarded no athletic scholarship at Lanier. He therefore had to borrow or earn with student jobs the money for the tuition and his living. Only after the coach of the football team was convinced of its benefits, he received a scholarship in Baltimore. Lanier played from 1963 to 1966 at the " Morgan State Bears" as a linebacker and guard. In the years 1965 and 1966 he won with his team the championship in their respective Conference and was selected to the All- American. In 1966 he played with his team in the Tangerine Bowl. After the victory of his team over the 14:6 West Chester University of Pennsylvania, he was elected Most Valuable Player. In the same season he was captain of his team.
Professional career
Willie Lanier was drafted in 1967 by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round to 50th place. Coach of the team was Hank Stram, the Lanier already started in his rookie year game as a starter on the position of linebackers. In the first year was his career a setback. After five games, he suffered a concussion. A week after the game against the San Diego Chargers, he was unconscious and had to sit four games.
The following season, Lanier moved to the position of a middle linebacker after he had played in the previous year on the right side. His team won twelve out of 14 games and was able to move into the final game of the American Football League. Opponents in the final were the Oakland Raiders. The quarterback of the Chiefs Len Dawson had a bad day and threw four interceptions and the Chiefs lost significantly with 41:6. The 1969 season was significantly better for Lanier and the Chiefs. After eleven victories in three losses in the regular season the collection was achieved in the Play Offs. Opponents in AFL Divisional Play -Off game were managed by Weeb Ewbank New York Jets that could be defeated with 13:6. Counterparty in AFL Finals were after defeating again the Raiders had where taken over as coach before the season John Madden, who had to give up but this time defeated the Chiefs with 17:7. The victory meant a place in the Super Bowl. The chiefs met in Super Bowl IV to the Minnesota Vikings. The kicker of the Chiefs in January Stenerud brought the team from Kansas City with three field goals 9-0 lead. Lanier was able to achieve an interception and the Chiefs won the game 23:7.
1971 Lanier succeeded with his team once again of making the play offs. Opponents were the Miami Dolphins. Although Lanier was able to intercept a pass from quarterback Bob Griese, he was thus unable scarce 27:24 the Chiefs to prevent. The game should be the last play-off game of Lanier. After the 1974 season, dismissed the Chiefs Hank Stram and after the 1977 season, he was released to the Baltimore Colts. Before the start of the new season, however, Lanier ended his career.
After the career
Lanier concluded after his playing career from a business degree. He worked as Aktienhänder and is chairman of a financial services provider.
Honors
Willie Lanier played eight times in the Pro Bowl, the final game of the best players of the season. After the Pro Bowl in 1971, he was elected to the Pro Bowl MVP. He was elected to the All-Pro eight times. His shirt number is no longer assigned by the Chiefs. He is a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame. In 1972 he received the NFL Man of the Year Award. The NFL takes him number 53 of the 100 best football players of all time.