Sad News: U.Va. Football Legend Bill Dudley Dies
“Dear Ol’ U.Va.,” a blog devoted to U.Va. athletics, is reporting that Hall-of-Famer “Bullet” Bill Dudley, a legendary figure in Cavalier football history, has died.
Dudley, a halfback who came to the University at age 16, closed out his career as U.Va.’s first All-American and won the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top player, after the 1941 season, in which the Cavaliers went 8-1.
In that season, he had a hand in 206 of the 279 points Virginia scored, by running, passing or kicking. He finished second nationally in total offense (1,824 yards).
The No. 1 overall draft pick of the Detroit Lions, he played for four teams in a pro career that was interrupted by military service.
After Dudley’s playing days were over, he was inducted into both the college and pro football halls of fame, and the annual award given to the top college football player in Virginia is named for him. Some observers consider Dudley, a Bluefield, Va. native, the greatest to have ever worn the orange and blue.
UPDATE: Steelers.com has a thorough article.
UPDATE TWO: Here is the official U.Va. athletics release.
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Selina | February 7, 2010 @ 10:44 am
Is this why the chapel bell played the Good Ole Song on Wednesday afternoon?