Vandy's Wade Helped Bears Win NFL Title

Vanderbilt's Bill Wade helped Bears win NFL championship

by Dan Pompei

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One of the greatest quarterbacks in Vanderbilt history went on to become an NFL champion. The memory of his being lives on in those closest to him.

Billy Wade was the SEC player of the year in 1951 and threw for nearly 3,400 career passing yards – a program record that stood for more than 30 years. Wade would go on to a National Football League championship in 1963 and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl.

“Bill Wade is a great quarterback,” Chicago Bears legendary coach George Halas once said. “He is doing a splendid job. He has us at the top of the heap. What more could you ask of a man?”

Wade’s life and career was recently profiled by The Athletic. The Montgomery Bell Academy graduate was also an All-American and MVP of the 1951 North-South Shrine Game.

To read the full piece on Wade, click HERE.