Larry Wilson Biography

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Lawrence Frank Wilson (born May 24, 1938, in Rigby, Idaho) is a former American football free safety who played for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wilson played college football at the University of Utah, where he was a two-way starter. Despite his skill and adaptability, Wilson was not drafted until the 7th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. After originally playing as a cornerback, Wilson switched to free safety, and it was here that he found his place on the team.

Wilson eventually made first-team or second-team All-Pro honors seven times in his career. Wilson represented the Cardinals on eight Pro Bowl teams. During the 1966 NFL season, Wilson had at least one interception in seven consecutive games, en route to a 10-pick season that led the league. Wilson is renowned for not only playing, but intercepting a pass, with casts on both hands due to broken wrists. On Sportscenter September 18, 2006, Mike Ditka challenged Terrell Owens toughness by not playing for 2-4 weeks due to a broken finger. He citied Wilson's interception with casts on both hands as proof of a tougher football player. He ended his career with 52 career picks for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

Wilson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. In 1999, he was ranked number 43 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, making him the highest-ranked player to have played a majority of his career with the Cardinal franchise. The team also retired his uniform number 8.

External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
  

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