Bill Wade
Quarterback
1951
Second Team All-American
Associated Press
A Nashville legend, Wade was the 1951 SEC Player of the Year and a Second Team All-America by the AP, after completing 111 passes for 1,609 yards and 13 TDs.
A Look Magazine coverboy, Wade set many team passing records in his career.
He remains one of the team’s most celebrated players. He remains the lone Vanderbilt player selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft – by the Los Angeles in 1952. He had a 14-year career with the Rams and Chicago, and led the Bears to the 1963 NFL title, rushing for two scores in a win over New York.
Upon retirement from football, Wade returned to Nashville, retiring from Third National Bank.