From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
|
|
|||
| Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
|
==NFL== |
==NFL== |
||
|
Wilkin signed with the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]] in [[1938 Washington Redskins season|1938]], and played through [[1943 Washington Redskins season|1943]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Willie Wilkin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkWi20.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> During that span, he played in three NFL Championship games, winning the [[1942 NFL Championship Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Willie Wilkin Playoffs Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkWi20.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He also scored the only touchdown of his career |
Wilkin signed with the [[Washington Redskins]] of the [[National Football League]] in [[1938 Washington Redskins season|1938]], and played through [[1943 Washington Redskins season|1943]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Willie Wilkin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkWi20.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> During that span, he played in three NFL Championship games, winning the [[1942 NFL Championship Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Willie Wilkin Playoffs Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkWi20.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He also scored the only touchdown of his career off of a blocked punt in a win over the [[1942 Cleveland Rams season|Cleveland Rams]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Rams at Washington Redskins – October 11th, 1942 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/194210110was.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> |
||
|
==Military career== |
==Military career== |
||
Latest revision as of 00:38, 20 September 2025
American football player (1916–1973)
Wilbur Byrne “Wee Willie” Wilkin (April 20, 1916 – May 16, 1973) was an American football tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. Wilkin also played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Chicago Rockets. He attended St. Mary’s College of California.[1]
Born in Bingham Canyon, Utah, Wilkin attended Springville High School, where he played football, basketball, and track and field.[2]
Wilkin played college football at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California, graduating in 1938. He was inducted into the Gaels’ Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973.[3] After college, Wilkin briefly worked in a silver mine in Mexico.[4]
Wilkin signed with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League in 1938, and played through 1943.[5] During that span, he played in three NFL Championship games, winning the 1942 NFL Championship Game.[6] He also scored the only touchdown of his career off of a blocked punt in a 33–14 win over the Cleveland Rams in Week 5 of the 1942 season.[7]
After the 1943 season, Wilkin entered the United States Marine Corps during World War II.[2] While in service, he was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in southern California and played for their football team.[8]
After his service with the Marines ended, Wilkin signed with the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference in 1946.[4][8]
Teaching and coaching
[edit]
After retiring from football, Wilkin became a math and social studies high school teacher for special needs children in Monterey County, California, and was an offensive line coach for Monterey High School.[4][9] He later taught in Deer Lodge, Montana.[4]
Wilkin was married and had twin sons, John Sharpe Wilkin and Christopher Wilkin; both died at age 22 in the same 1965 automobile accident near Truckee, California.[1][4][9][10] In 1970, Wilkin had a brain tumor successfully removed. However, two years later, he developed stomach cancer, and died at age 57 in 1973 in Palo Alto, California.[4]
- ^ a b Addie, Bob (November 26, 1985). “Willie needs help”. Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). (Washington Post). p. 43.
- ^ a b “Towering Ex-Redskin Joins Marine”. Marine Corps Chevron. Princeton University Library. April 1, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ “Saint Mary’s College Athletic Hall of Fame Membership”. Saint Mary’s College. June 23, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Maxymuk, John (2012). NFL Head Coaches: A Biographical Dictionary, 1920-2011, 340-341, McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6557-6.
- ^ “Willie Wilkin Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College”. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ “Willie Wilkin Playoffs Game Log”. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ “Cleveland Rams at Washington Redskins – October 11th, 1942”. Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ a b “Goin’ to the Dogs” (PDF). Pro Football Researchers. 1998. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ a b “Auto Crash Claims Life of John Sharpe Wilkin”. The Stanford Daily. March 29, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved July 8, 2015.
- ^ “Marinite’s kin killed in Sierra car crash”. Daily Independent Journal. (San Rafael, California). Associated Press. March 25, 1965. p. 15.
