Willie Roaf La Tech and Saints Star...

Born on April 18, 1970, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Willie Roaf established himself as a dominant offensive tackle during his college career at Louisiana Tech from 1989 to 1992.

College Career

He was a four-year letterman and became the Bulldogs' first consensus All-American offensive lineman since 1946, earning the honor in 1992. Known for his exceptional blocking ability and surprising speed for his size, Roaf was a finalist for the Outland Trophy in his senior year. He was instrumental in the Louisiana Tech running game, creating opportunities for top rushers and playing a key role in the longest rushing play in school history. His outstanding collegiate career earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.  

Rise to the NFL

Roaf's dominance in college led to him being the eighth overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. This marked the beginning of a highly decorated 13-year professional career. He spent his first nine seasons with the Saints, where he quickly became a cornerstone of their offensive line, earning seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections. In 2002, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he continued his stellar play for four more seasons, adding another four Pro Bowl nods to his resume. Roaf's consistent excellence earned him PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 1993 and multiple All-Pro selections throughout his career.  

Football Legacy

Willie Roaf's football legacy is that of an elite offensive tackle who excelled at both the collegiate and professional levels. His consistent dominance earned him recognition as one of the best to ever play his position. An 11-time Pro Bowler and a nine-time All-Pro selection, Roaf was named to both the NFL 1990s and 2000s All-Decade Teams, a testament to his sustained excellence. He was the first offensive lineman in Saints history to be selected to multiple Pro Bowls. His impact on the game is further cemented by his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012, the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

College:

✦ Consensus All-American (1992)

✦ First Team All-South Independent (1991, 1992)  

✦ Finalist for Outland Trophy (1992)  

✦ College Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)

Professional:

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2012)  

✦ 11-time Pro Bowl Selection (1994-2000, 2002-2005)  

✦ 4-time First-team All-Pro (1994, 1995, 2003, 2004)  

✦ 5-time Second-team All-Pro (1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2005)  

✦ NFL 1990s All-Decade Team

✦ NFL 2000s All-Decade Team

✦ PFWA All-Rookie Team (1993)  

✦ New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame

✦ New Orleans Saints Ring of Honor  

Career Stats (NFL):

✦ 189 Games Played (189 Starts)  

✦ 4 Fumble Recoveries