Willie Buchanon

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For his son and former football wide receiver, see Will Buchanon.
Willie Buchanon
refer to caption
Buchanon at MCB Camp Pendleton in 2011
No. 28
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1950-11-04) November 4, 1950 (age 71)
Oceanside, California
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Oceanside
(Oceanside, California)
College:San Diego State
NFL Draft:1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
  • Green Bay Packers (1972–1978)
  • San Diego Chargers (1979–1982)
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:28
INT yards:278
Touchdowns:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Willie James Buchanon (born November 4, 1950) is an American former football player who was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was defensive rookie of the year in 1972 and a two-time Pro Bowl player.[1] He finished his career with his hometown San Diego Chargers, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.

Early years through college[]

Buchanon was born and raised in Oceanside, California, where he was a graduate of Oceanside High School. He attended Mira Costa College,[2] where he was a Junior College All-American in 1969. Buchanon later played football and graduated from San Diego State University. He was voted the Most Valuable Player in the East-West Shrine Game of 1971. Sporting News named the San Diego State All-American to its All-Time collegiate team.

NFL career[]

Willie Buchanon was selected by Green Bay in the first-round of the 1972 NFL draft, the 7th overall pick.[2] He was the 1972 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a one-time All-Pro. In 1978, the Packers defensive back led the NFC with 9 interceptions,[1] including four on September 24, 1978 against the San Diego Chargers[3] that tied him for the still-standing NFL record for most interceptions in a game, first set by Sammy Baugh in 1943. Buchanon spent his last four pro years with the San Diego Chargers,[2] where he tied the NFL all-time record for most recoveries in a game in 1981.

Awards and life after football[]

Buchanon was named to the Green Bay Packers All-Time team, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame,[4] San Diego State Hall of Fame, San Diego Hall of Champions,[3] California State Junior College Hall of Fame and Oceanside High School Hall of Fame. He is now a realtor in San Diego.

Personal life[]

Buchanon and his wife, Gwen, have two children: a daughter, Jenae, and a son, Will.[5] His son was a member of the 2003 and 2004 national championship teams with the University of Southern California Trojans, and later played in the NFL. Willie Buchanon lives in his hometown of Oceanside.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  2. ^ a b c "Player bio". databaseFootball.com. Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  3. ^ a b "Bio from San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum". Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  4. ^ a b "Willie Buchanon bio from esportsinstruction.com". Retrieved 2010-04-11.
  5. ^ "Willie Buchanon profile". Retrieved 2010-04-11.

External links[]

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