William Graham (American football)

William Roger Graham is a former professional American football player who played safety for six seasons for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League.

This article is about the American professional footballer. For the Canadian political historian William Roger Graham, see W. Roger Graham.
William Graham
No. 33
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1959-09-27) September 27, 1959
Silsbee, Texas
Career information
College:Texas
NFL Draft:1982 / Round: 5 / Pick: 127
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:6
Sacks:1.0
Fumble recoveries:6
Player stats at NFL.com

Career

Collegiate

William Graham played defensive back for the Texas Longhorns from 1979-1981. In 11 games in 1980, he recorded four interceptions. In 11 games in 1981 he recorded seven more, tying the school record,[1] leading the Southwest Conference and tied for third in the nation. His 11 career interceptions was fourth all-time at Texas.[2][3]

Professional

Graham was drafted in the 5th round by the Detroit Lions in the 1982 draft. He played in 7 games his rookie season, then fourteen (all but the first two, and all as a starter) in 1983 during which he recovered three fumbles as a free safety. In 1984, he started 13 of 14 games (missing two in late October due to an injury), recorded his first career interception in a Thanksgiving victory over Green Bay in week 13, and two more interceptions off former Lions quarterback Greg Landry in a season-finale loss to the Chicago Bears. In 1985, Graham started in all 16 games for the only time in his career. He again recorded 3 interceptions (including two in a week 11 victory over the Minnesota Vikings) and his only career sack. In 1987, Graham was no longer a starter, though he appeared in all 16 games and was used occasionally as a kickoff returner (3 returns for 72 yards). He appeared in just two games in 1988, and was released at the end of the season.[4] He is one of 16 players in Lions history with two or more multiple-interception games.[5]

References
  1. Since broken by Earl Thomas in 2009.
  2. Tied for 9th as of 2017.
  3. University of Texas Football Media Guide, 2016
  4. William Graham's webpage at pro-football-reference.com.
  5. Lions with multiple interception games


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