Place of birth Shelby, Michigan Role American football player College Indiana Died October 7, 1999 | 1958-1960 Detroit Lions Positions Cornerback Name Dave Whitsell | |
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Date of birth (1936-06-14)June 14, 1936 Date of death October 7, 1999(1999-10-07) (aged 63) NFL draft 1958 / Round: 24 / Pick 289 Education Indiana University Bloomington | ||
David A. Whitsell (born June 14, 1936 – October 7, 1999) was an American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears, and the New Orleans Saints. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1967 season. Whitsell played college football at Indiana University.
Dave Whitsell attended Shelby High School in Shelby, Michigan, a small town in West Michigan near Lake Michigan. He earned 16 high school letters in football, basketball, track, and baseball, graduating in 1954.
For twelve seasons (1958-1960, 1961-66, 1967-69), he played at the cornerback and defensive back positions in the National Football League with the Lions, Bears, and Saints.
Born David Andrew Whitsell, he played collegiate football at Indiana University in Bloomington. He was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 24th round of the 1958 NFL Draft, and appeared in 36 career games with them.
With the Chicago Bears he was one of the members of the 1963 National Football League championship team, which included Rosey Taylor, Richie Petitbon and future legendary coach Mike Ditka at tight end. The game, which was played on December 29, 1963 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, pitted the visiting New York Giants against the Bears in the 31st annual event. The Bears won 14 to 10.
After three years with the Bears he became a Saint for the team's 1967 inaugural season. During the NFL's expansion draft, New Orleans was able to pick players from existing teams. He became the first member of the New Orleans franchise to play in the NFL's Pro Bowl game. Whitsell also led the entire league in 1967 in interceptions with 10.
After his retirement from football he became a real estate investor. He was also a member of the National Football League Retired Players Association and the Kenner North Kiwanis Club. Whitsell was inducted into the Western Michigan Hall of Fame in 1989 and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 1996. He died from cancer.