Lanier, Willie

Lanier, Willie

▪ American athlete
in full  Willie Edward Lanier  
born August 21, 1945, Clover, Virginia, U.S.

      American professional gridiron football player who was an outstanding defensive player for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s and '70s, overturning the stereotype that African Americans could not handle the key defensive position of middle linebacker. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

      Lanier was named to the Little All-America team (for players in small-college programs) while at Morgan State University (Baltimore, Maryland). In 1967 the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the second round of the first combined American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL) draft. The Chiefs had lost 35–10 to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl earlier that year and focused on defensive players in the draft.

      Lanier became the starting middle linebacker in his rookie season, which was cut short by an injury. The next year, the Chiefs were 12–2, and Lanier began a streak of eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections. In his third season, Lanier led the Chiefs to the final AFL championship prior to the league's merging with the NFL. As AFL champions, the Chiefs unexpectedly defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV in 1970, with Lanier making an interception and the defense shutting out Minnesota in the first half on the way to a 23–7 victory.

      While the Chiefs made the playoffs just one more time in his career, Lanier remained a defensive star in the league. Called “Honey Bear” by his teammates, Lanier was a ferocious tackler. After concussions early in his career, he wore a specially padded helmet to protect himself from his own tremendous collisions. He had 15 career fumble recoveries and 27 pass interceptions, with 2 returned for touchdowns.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Lanier, Willie (Edward) — born Aug. 21, 1945, Clover, Va., U.S. U.S. gridiron football player. He was selected to the Little All America Team while at Morgan State University. An outstanding defensive player, he played middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs… …   Universalium

  • Lanier, Willie (Edward) — (n. 21 ago. 1945, Clover, Va., EE.UU.). Jugador estadounidense de fútbol americano. Fue integrante del equipo de los mejores de EE.UU. cuando estudiaba en la Morgan State University. Extraordinario defensor, jugó de liniero central en los Kansas… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Willie — /wil ee/, n. 1. a male given name, form of William. 2. a female given name. * * * (as used in expressions) Dixon Willie Hoppe Willie Lanier Willie Edward Mays Willie Howard Mosconi Willie Nelson Willie Willie Shoemaker Simms Willie * * * …   Universalium

  • Willie — (as used in expressions) Dixon, Willie Hoppe, Willie Lanier, Willie (Edward) Mays, Willie (Howard) Mosconi, Willie Nelson, Willie Willie Shoemaker …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Lanier — /leuh near /, n. Sidney, 1842 81, U.S. poet and literary scholar. * * * (as used in expressions) Walter Lanier Barber Lanier Willie Edward Thomas Lanier Williams * * * …   Universalium

  • Lanier — (as used in expressions) Walter Lanier Barber Lanier, Willie (Edward) Thomas Lanier Williams …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Willie Lanier — Position(en): Linebacker Trikotnummer(n): 63 geboren am 21. August 1945 in Clover, Virginia Karriereinformationen Aktiv: 1967–1977 NFL Draft …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Willie Lanier — Données générales Nom complet Willie Edward Lanier Nationalité  États Unis Date de naissance …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Lanier — can refer to:People* Members of a Lanier family renown in the British court for its musical talent: ** Nicholas Lanier the Elder, French court musician ** Nicholas Lanier, English composer, singer, lutenist and painter ** Clement Lanier, musician …   Wikipedia

  • Lanier — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Bob Lanier (* 1948), US amerikanischer Basketballspieler Jaron Lanier (* 1960), US amerikanischer Autor und Unternehmer Jonas Lanier (* 1982), deutscher Eishockeyspieler Nicholas Lanier (1588–1666),… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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