Bill Bishop (American football)

Bill Bishop
Date of birth(1931-05-08)May 8, 1931
Place of birthBorger, Texas, U.S.
Date of deathMay 14, 1998(1998-05-14) (aged 67)
Career information
Position(s)Defensive tackle
US collegeNorth Texas State
NFL draft1952 / round: 8 / pick: 90
Career history
As player
1952–1960Chicago Bears
1961Minnesota Vikings
Career highlights and awards
Pro Bowls1
Career stats

William Eugene Bishop (May 8, 1931 – May 14, 1998) was an American football defensive lineman who played 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

A former United States Air Force member, he played college football at North Texas State from 1949 to 1951. Much of his pro career was spent with the Chicago Bears; although he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was traded to Chicago shortly after.[1] He spent nine seasons with the Bears, remaining close with his teammates but frequently clashing with coach George Halas for salary reasons; in 1960, Bishop remarked, "Halas brainwashes you so much you don't want to play with anybody else; it's like playing for the New York Yankees."[2] Bishop later became team captain of the inaugural Minnesota Vikings in 1961.[1]

In the early 1970s, he coached the Winfield Giants Pop Warner team in Winfield, Illinois.

References

  1. ^ a b Kuleta, Gene (May 20, 1998). "Former Bear Bill E. Bishop, 67". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Ney, Al (February 10, 1960). "Bill Bishop Sees Papa Bear As More Sinner Than Saint". The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved January 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.


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