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William Karnet Willis (October 5, 1921 – November 27, 2007) was an American football middle guard and guard who played for eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL).
The Browns defeated the New York Yankees 14-9 on December 22, 1946 to win the first AAFC championship. In 1946, Willis was voted “1st Team All-NFL/AAFC” by the “Chicago Herald American”, and “1st Team All-AAFC” by the AAFC (at right guard). The Browns repeated as AAFC champion in 1947.
Nov 29, 2007 · Bill Willis, a Hall of Fame guard with the Cleveland Browns and one of four black players to break modern professional football’s color barrier in 1946, has died. He was 86.
Bill Willis, at 6-2 and 210 pounds, was small by pro football standards in 1946, yet he performed in a class by himself, particularly on defense. In the eight years he played for the Cleveland Browns from 1946 through 1953, he was a first-team All-League selection seven times and a second-team choice once.
Nov 29, 2007 · Bill Willis, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame guard who played a major role in breaking professional football’s racial barrier in the decade after World War II, died Tuesday in...
Cleveland Browns Middle Guard Bill Willis: Willis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977
A sprinter's speed made Willis one of the greatest linemen at running interference, and many an opponent left Ohio Stadium feeling the pains of a Willis pop-block. Bill's 6-2 frame of muscle and brawn belied his fleetness afoot, yet he was a varsity dash man rarely outdistanced.
