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BILL DUDLEY

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"Bullet" Bill Dudley learned the game of football as a kid in Bluefield Virginia sandlot pickup games. Always a fan of the game, his relatively small stature (5'9" and until college, under 150lbs) kept him from performing until his junior year in high school. But, once on the field and under the mentorship of coach Marshall Shearer, Dudley grew into an athletic and intelligent competitor, with an unorthodox style.

In 1938 at the age of 16, Bill Dudley was drafted by University of Virginia- fulfilling his dream of playing college football. A versatile performer, he was brought onto the team as a punter, but was best remembered for his role as tailback. In the NC vs. UV game of 1941, Dudley not only scored all three touchdowns, but passed for the third and kicked for the other four extra points. This performance secured his consensus All-American recognition later that year.

Bill Dudley didn't have pro aspirations, instead he wanted to support the war effort well underway by joining the Naval Air Corps. That dream was delayed: Bill was only 20 at the time, and needed parental consent for enlistment. The Pittsburgh Steelers stepped in drafted him as their first round choice of the 1942 season. A wise choice- Bill Dudley's intensity and drive buoyed the Steelers to a 7-4 record that season, gaining for himself Rookie of the Year.

In 1942, the armed services were drafting all eligible young men for the ongoing efforts of WWII. His rookie year complete and 21 years old, Bill Dudley enrolled with the Army Air Corps. But, that was not to be the end of football- during basic training he was asked to play football for the Army team- it was an essential morale booster for the troops in those difficult times. In 1944, the Army team had an undefeated season and Bill Dudley made MVP.

By 1945 Dudley was out of the Army and back on the Steelers' field. His 1946 season was stellar, with Dudley supporting the team as tailback and safety. He led the league in interceptions (10, ret. 240yds), rushing (604yds) and punt returns (385yds). This outstanding record earned him MVP, and made him the only player in the history of football to receive MVP in college, service and pro arenas.

A row with management and a series of injuries marked Dudley's last year with the Steelers. He was traded to the Lions in 1947. The contract? $20,000 a season for three seasons. Not bad for a football player in those days. Despite the Lions' losing record during his stay with the team, Bill Dudley shone as an individual player, leading the league in scoring.

At the end of the three-year contract he was traded to the Redskins. Again, Bill Dudley led the league in scoring for each of his three years of play with that outfit. Unfortunately, injuries were slowing down Bullet Bill, and the 1952 season was spent coaching former UV rival Yale. The 1953 season saw Dudley back on the Redskins' field, part-time on defense and place-kicking, part-time coaching the backs. Eventually, the wear and tear of the game was enough, and Bill Dudley retired at the end of the '53 season.

In 1956, Bill Dudley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Ten years later he was inducted into the Pro Hall of Fame. Bill always enjoyed the coaching role, and after his retirement as a player, he coached and scouted for the Steelers and the Lions in addition to a career in the insurance business. Currently Bill Dudley lives in Virginia and is retired- mostly- even at age 81, you can't stop the Bullet!