CARDS: Upper Deck Legends 1997, Topps 1970, Upper Deck Legends 1997 Marquee Matchups, Topps 1976, Topps 1979
ACQUIRED: TTM 2021/2022, C/o Home
SENT: 1/2/21 RECEIVED: 1/11/21 (9 days)
SENT: 4/21/22 RECEIVED: 4/30/22 (9 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Billy Kilmer played at UCLA from 1958-’60 where he played RB and QB.
• In 1960, he led the conference with 163 rushes for 803 yards and 8 TDs, while also throwing for 1086 yards and 8 TDs.
• Billy finished his college career with 307 carries for 1386 yards and 12 TDs, to go along with 1881 yards passing on 109/255 passes, and 15 TDs to 13 interceptions.
• In 1961, Billy was the 11th selection of the San Fransisco 49ers, and a 5th round pick of the Chargers- but opted to sign with SF.
• He’d run for 509 yards and 10 TDs his rookie year.
• After a leg injury ended his 1962 season, and completely wiped his 1963 campaign, he returned to the ‘9ers in 1964.
• Saw no action in 1965- and was involved in a salary dispute the following year, leading to him being exposed in the NFL Expansion Draft.
• Selected by the New Orleans Saints in 1967.
• Played 4 seasons for the Saints, posting an 11-28 record.
• Threw for 20 TDs (17 INT) and a career high 2,532 yards in 1969.
• Traded to Washington Redskins in 1970.
• Fought with Sonny Jurgensen over the starting role for throughout his Redskin career.
• He’d lead the NFL in TDs with 19, and 8.4 yards per completion in 1972.
• In 1974, rookie Joe Theismann was added to the mix and battled Billy for the starting role.
• Threw a 96 yard TD and a career high 25 TDs in 1975.
• Retired after the 1978 season, having played 18 seasons and in 170 games at the grand old age of 38.

ACCOLADES:

• College Football Hall of Fame
• New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
• Washington Redskins Ring of Fame
• 80 Greatest Redskins of All Time
• Pro Bowl 1972
• Comeback Player of the Year 1976

NOTES:

I had gotten Billy on his Topps 1970 and his Upper Deck Legends 1997 cards and then realized that he appeared in the Legends Memorable Moments subset alongside Bob Lilly. Unwilling to pay the outrageous price for the card I waited this one out until I was able to get it for just a dollar or two and sent this along with the other Topps entries out to him. A consistent and kind signer, he returned both groups in just 9 days flat.

Billy has always battled adversity in his life, whether from alcohol, where he got the nickname Ol Whiskey from his time in New Orleans, or a devastating leg injury he suffered early in his career in San Fransisco.

ATT	CPD	YDS	PCT	TD	INT	RAT	LG
2984	1585	20495	53.1	152	146	71.6	96t

RUSH	yds	avg	TD	lg
362	1509	4.2	21	35