Bill Wade, American football player, Died at 85

  Sports

William James “Bill” Wade was born on October 4, 1930, and died on March 9, 2016.

He was an American football quarterback.

He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL).

Called one of the greatest athletes in Nashville and Vanderbilt University history.

He was a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Bill was best known for being the starting quarterback on the Chicago Bears’ 1963 NFL championship team.

He played for the Universit of Vanderbilt.

Wade was named the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) Most Valuable Player and a second-team All-American.

He was named MVP of the 1951 North-South Shrine Game in Miami.

Bill Wade also played in the Senior Bowl of 1952 and was selected to play in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.

Bill Wade was the first player selected in the 1952 NFL draft, by the Los Angeles Rams.

Bill Wade was traded to the Bears in 1961 with teammates Del Shofner and John Guzik for two players and a draft pick.

He topped the league in 1962 in pass completions and attempts, then quarterbacked Chicago to the 1963 NFL Championship Game, scoring both Bears touchdowns in a 14–10 victory over the New York Giants in a game played in freezing weather conditions at Wrigley Field.

Wade was named  the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.

After he had his eye surgery for glaucoma, Wade became legally blind.

Bill Wade passed away at 85 yrs old.