Place of birth Detroit, MI Name Bill Simpson Children Brett Simpson 1980-1982 Buffalo Bills Positions Safety | 1974-1978 Los Angeles Rams College Michigan State Role American football player | |
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Date of birth (1951-12-05) December 5, 1951 (age 64) NFL draft 1974 / Round: 2 / Pick: 50 | ||
Education Michigan State University | ||
William Thomas "Bill" Simpson (born December 5, 1951 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former professional American football defensive back who played in the National Football League from 1974–1982. Before his NFL career, he played defensive back and punted for Michigan State University and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2nd round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He was a standout athlete at Royal Oak Shrine High School and was elected to the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic High School League Hall of Fame in 2007.
Professional career
He played 5 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (1974–1978) which culminated in his receiving several post-season awards:
1977 – Sporting News: 1st team all-conf.
1977 – UPI: 2nd team all-conf.
1978 – Pro Football Weekly: 1st team all-conf.
1978 – UPI: 2nd team all-conf.
He finished his pro career with the Buffalo Bills (1980–1982), retiring with 34 interceptions and 9 more in postseason play.
During the 1981 wild card playoff game (played Dec 27, 1981 at Shea Stadium) he made a "final-seconds-last-play" end-zone interception – that would have otherwise allowed the NY Jets to win – robbing them of the chance to go on to advance to the divisional playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bill is the father to professional surfer Brett Simpson, a 2009 and 2010 U.S. Open of Surfing champion.