Bill Wade

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.

 

A mob of autograph-seeeking youngsters accomplishes something that the Los Angeles Rams couldn’t do, corner Bill Wade. The former Vanderbilt great starred in the Chicago Bears preseason victory over the Rams at Dudley Field. (Bill Preston / The Tennessean) 8/28/1965

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.