Born December 21, 1921, in Bluefield, Virginia, he was College and Pro Football Hall of Fame Halfback Bullet Bill Dudley. This three-way legend was also a return specialist and a safety. Dudley attended and played for the Virginia Cavaliers in college and then was drafted by the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, leading the League in rushing his Rookie year. After a stint serving his country during WWII, Bill returned to the Steelers and was the NFL MVP in 1946. He later was traded, then played for the Detroit Lions and finished his career on the Washington Redskins roster.
Football History
Bullet Bill Dudley HOF HB of the Steelers & Lions
The 1922 Rose Bowl
Celebrate 2 of the top Gridiron Coaches in history in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book When Greasy Met the Wonder Coach
Greatest Pro Team
Who was the MOST DOMINANT team in Pro Football History? We have the answer in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team
FREE Daily Sports History
You are only seconds away from receiving the Pigpen's Newsletter everyday filled with new items
SUBSCRIBE BY CLICKING
_________________________
Bullet Bill Dudley Hall of Fame HB
Born December 24, 1921, in Bluefield, Virginia was the University of Virginia’s legendary halfback Bullet Bill Dudley. Some so-called experts thought Dudley was too small to play football in the collegiate ranks as he weighed in at 152 pounds with a 5’-10” frame per the NFF.
Virginia’s Coach, Frank Murray, decided to give Bill a chance to prove all of the other recruiters wrong. What Dudley did was to become the only player to win MVP honors in college, the Armed Forces and professional levels.
During the 1941 season Bullet Bill led the nation with 18 touchdowns, 134 points scored, a 6.2 rushing average per play and 29 touchdowns. The National Football Foundation selected Bill Dudley into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1956. The Pittsburgh Steelers did not hesitate a second to pick Bill and the first pick in the 1942 Draft of the NFL. In his 9 pro seasons he had 8217 total yards and recorded 23 interceptions and played in 3 Pro Bowls. In fact the Pro Football Hall says that Bill won a rare triple crown of awards in the NFL, he was the interception leader, the top rusher and held the punt return title in 1946. Bill Dudley found the door wide open for him to enter into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Virginia’s Coach, Frank Murray, decided to give Bill a chance to prove all of the other recruiters wrong. What Dudley did was to become the only player to win MVP honors in college, the Armed Forces and professional levels.
During the 1941 season Bullet Bill led the nation with 18 touchdowns, 134 points scored, a 6.2 rushing average per play and 29 touchdowns. The National Football Foundation selected Bill Dudley into their College Football Hall of Fame in 1956. The Pittsburgh Steelers did not hesitate a second to pick Bill and the first pick in the 1942 Draft of the NFL. In his 9 pro seasons he had 8217 total yards and recorded 23 interceptions and played in 3 Pro Bowls. In fact the Pro Football Hall says that Bill won a rare triple crown of awards in the NFL, he was the interception leader, the top rusher and held the punt return title in 1946. Bill Dudley found the door wide open for him to enter into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Nine Ways to Gridiron Greatness
William McGarvey "Bullet Bill" Dudley wasn't just a football player; he was a nine-way scoring machine who left his mark on the NFL as a versatile talent, media star, and Hall of Famer. Here's a taste of his gridiron brilliance:
-Rushing Rampage: Led the league in rushing as a rookie, proving his speed wasn't just a nickname.
-Passing Prowess: Threw touchdowns and even filled in at quarterback, showcasing his offensive arsenal.
-Punt Perfection: One of the best punters of his era, adding another threat to his repertoire.
-Kickoff King: Mastered the kickoff return, turning defense into instant offense.
-Interception Impact: Snagged passes out of the air and turned them into points with ease.
-Fumble Finder: Capitalized on opponents' mistakes and made them pay on the scoreboard.
-Safety Valve: An unexpected touchdown threat, further proving his defensive versatility.
-Extra Point Expert: Converted PATs with consistent accuracy, leaving no point on the table.
-Field Goal Force: Added field goals to his scoring arsenal, becoming a true offensive weapon.
-Rushing Rampage: Led the league in rushing as a rookie, proving his speed wasn't just a nickname.
-Passing Prowess: Threw touchdowns and even filled in at quarterback, showcasing his offensive arsenal.
-Punt Perfection: One of the best punters of his era, adding another threat to his repertoire.
-Kickoff King: Mastered the kickoff return, turning defense into instant offense.
-Interception Impact: Snagged passes out of the air and turned them into points with ease.
-Fumble Finder: Capitalized on opponents' mistakes and made them pay on the scoreboard.
-Safety Valve: An unexpected touchdown threat, further proving his defensive versatility.
-Extra Point Expert: Converted PATs with consistent accuracy, leaving no point on the table.
-Field Goal Force: Added field goals to his scoring arsenal, becoming a true offensive weapon.
Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there!
Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
_________________________
Proud to Support The Professional Football Researchers Association
To learn more about joining the fun in preserving football history go to The Official PFRA Website.
_________________________
We have placed some product links on this page. If you purchase by clicking on them, we will get a commission to use to help with operating costs.
Sports Jersey Dispatch
If you like remembering players of the NFL by their numbers then you may also enjoy going uniform number by number in other team sports as well. We have it for you on our other website in baseball, basketball, hockey and more on the Sports Jersey Dispatch.
_________________________
Gridiron Legacy: Pro Football's Missing Origin Story
Author Gregg Ficery tells the story of the beginnings of Pro Football through the pro football career of his Great Grandfather, Bob Shiring
_________________________
Sports History Network
A Proud Partner in the Headquarters of Sports Yesteryear, SHN.
_________________________
Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry.
_________________________