Bill Glass
Encyclopedia
William Sheppeard Glass (born August 16, 1935 in Texarkana, Texas
) is a former American football
defensive end who played eleven seasons in the National Football League
, beginning with the Detroit Lions and finishing his career as a standout with the Cleveland Browns. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
in 1985.
Glass lettered three years at Baylor University
1954-56 and was unanimous All-America
guard in 1956. He made 154 tackles in 10 games. His pro career covered one year with Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League
, 1957; then four years with Detroit, 1958–61; and seven years with Cleveland 1962-68.
Bill Glass published a memoir called "Get in the Game!"
Glass followed in his older brothers footsteps out onto the football field. From then on he found his way to national recognition and rating as an all-American football player at Baylor University. Glass lettered three years at Baylor University (1954–56) and was agreed on by everyone as All-America guard in 1956. He was drafted #12 in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, but chose to sign with the Canadian Football League Saskatchewan Roughriders. After a year in the CFL, signed with and spent four years with Detroit. He was traded to Cleveland in 1962 as part of the trade that sent quarterback Jim Ninowski back to Cleveland, along with running back Howard "Hopalong" Cassady. In return, the Lions received quarterback Milt Plum, running back Tom Watkins and linebacker Dave Lloyd.
Glass started for seven years with Cleveland. He became a Pro Bowl defensive end with the Browns, playing a key role in the team's NFL championship in 1964 and Eastern Division championship in 1965. He retired after the 1968 season.
Bill Glass also published a memoir called "Get in the Game!” this biography is the viewpoint and life story of ‘The greatest Defensive End of the Cleveland Browns.’
Glass spent several off-seasons attending Southwestern Seminary. He worked with Rev. Billy Graham
, who encouraged Glass toward a life in the ministry. He founded Bill Glass Ministries in 1969. Since 1972, his efforts have focused on prison ministries, bringing the gospel to inmates across America.
Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other half, the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, lies on the other side of State Line Avenue...
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive end who played eleven seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
, beginning with the Detroit Lions and finishing his career as a standout with the Cleveland Browns. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
in 1985.
Glass lettered three years at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
1954-56 and was unanimous All-America
1956 College Football All-America Team
The 1956 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players who were selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers that chose College Football All-America Teams in 1956...
guard in 1956. He made 154 tackles in 10 games. His pro career covered one year with Saskatchewan in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
, 1957; then four years with Detroit, 1958–61; and seven years with Cleveland 1962-68.
Bill Glass published a memoir called "Get in the Game!"
Glass followed in his older brothers footsteps out onto the football field. From then on he found his way to national recognition and rating as an all-American football player at Baylor University. Glass lettered three years at Baylor University (1954–56) and was agreed on by everyone as All-America guard in 1956. He was drafted #12 in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, but chose to sign with the Canadian Football League Saskatchewan Roughriders. After a year in the CFL, signed with and spent four years with Detroit. He was traded to Cleveland in 1962 as part of the trade that sent quarterback Jim Ninowski back to Cleveland, along with running back Howard "Hopalong" Cassady. In return, the Lions received quarterback Milt Plum, running back Tom Watkins and linebacker Dave Lloyd.
Glass started for seven years with Cleveland. He became a Pro Bowl defensive end with the Browns, playing a key role in the team's NFL championship in 1964 and Eastern Division championship in 1965. He retired after the 1968 season.
Bill Glass also published a memoir called "Get in the Game!” this biography is the viewpoint and life story of ‘The greatest Defensive End of the Cleveland Browns.’
Glass spent several off-seasons attending Southwestern Seminary. He worked with Rev. Billy Graham
Billy Graham
William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
, who encouraged Glass toward a life in the ministry. He founded Bill Glass Ministries in 1969. Since 1972, his efforts have focused on prison ministries, bringing the gospel to inmates across America.