Bill Nelsen
Encyclopedia
William Keith Nelsen was a former football
player who played collegiately for the University of Southern California
and professionally with both the Pittsburgh Steelers
and Cleveland Browns
. He was known for his leadership ability and ability to play with pain, having endured a series of knee injuries during the course of his career. He later served as an assistant coach with four NFL teams.
in California
, Nelsen moved on to USC, where he was a key player during his first two seasons, leading the squad in total offense in both 1960 and 1961. In 1962, he split time at the position with Pete Beathard
, helping the team capture the national championship.
by the Steelers, but saw limited action during his first two seasons. In 1965, new head coach Mike Nixon
gave Nelsen the starting job. However, the struggling team finished 2-12, offering him little help, with Nelsen throwing for eight touchdowns, in addition to 17 interceptions. In the November 14, 1965 game against the Dallas Cowboys
, Nelsen suffered a knee injury that plagued him the remainder of that year and underwent surgery after the season.
The following season, Nelsen suffered a knee injury against the Detroit Lions
in the season's second game. Originally scheduled to be out of the lineup for six weeks, Nelsen would not return until the season's 12th week. The limited time on the field allowed him to set a league record for fewest interceptions (100 minimum passes) with just one on the campaign. In the season finale on December 18, he completed his final 11 passes to defeat the expansion Atlanta Falcons
.
In 1967, the injuries continued for Nelsen when during the closing moments of the September 24 game against the St. Louis Cardinals(football)
, he was injured following a tackle by Chuck Walker
. He missed the next four games, but came off the bench to engineer a 14-10 comeback victory over the expansion New Orleans Saints on October 29.
On May 14, 1968, Nelsen was traded, along with defensive back Jim Bradshaw
to the Browns. After serving as Frank Ryan
's backup for three games that year, Nelsen was elevated to the starting role, and quickly made his mark with a shocking 30-20 upset of the previously unbeaten Baltimore Colts
on October 20. By the end of the season, Nelsen had led the team to the playoffs, winning nine of his 11 starts.
In 1969, Nelsen had another strong season, leading the Browns to a 10-3-1 record and a postseason berth, as well as being selected to his first and only Pro Bowl
. One week after throwing for five touchdowns in a 42-10 victory over the previously unbeaten Dallas Cowboys
on November 2, Nelsen spent a miserable afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings
on the losing end of a 51-3 score. In addition, he briefly left that game with a pinched nerve in his throwing arm, a malady that would trouble him for the rest of the season.
In game two of the 1970 NFL season
, Nelsen took yet another hit to his knees in a September 27 game against the San Francisco 49ers
. The injury forced him out of the game and kept him on the sidelines the following week as well. After a midseason slump, he was replaced for one game by rookie Mike Phipps
, but returned to start the final five games. Unfortunately, the Browns dropped to a 7-7 mark and missed the postseason.
In 1971, Nelsen led the Browns to four wins in their first five games, but another midseason slump once again relegated him to the bench for one game. Unlike the previous year, however, Nelsen led the team to five straight victories to once again reach the playoffs. Nelsen briefly won the starting job to start the 1972 season, but gave way to Phipps after a 26-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers
in the opening game. Weeks after the conclusion of the season, Nelsen underwent his fifth knee operation and announced his retirement.
, but resigned after two years. After briefly considering the Browns' open head coaching slot, he accepted an assistant position with the Atlanta Falcons
. He resigned that position following the dismissal of head coach Marion Campbell
.
On February 9, 1977, he was named quarterback coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
, reuniting him with his former college coach, John McKay
. He spent the next six seasons in that role until being fired amid reports of conflict with Buccaneers quarterback Doug Williams and McKay. After sitting out the 1983 NFL season
, Nelsen was hired by Detroit Lions
' head coach Monte Clark
, a former Browns teammate, as their offensive coordinator on January 20, 1984.
Nelsen has since retired from coaching.
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...
player who played collegiately for the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and professionally with both the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was known for his leadership ability and ability to play with pain, having endured a series of knee injuries during the course of his career. He later served as an assistant coach with four NFL teams.
College career
After playing one season of junior college ball at Cerritos CollegeCerritos College
Cerritos College is a public comprehensive community college founded in 1955 located in Norwalk, California. It was named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Nelsen moved on to USC, where he was a key player during his first two seasons, leading the squad in total offense in both 1960 and 1961. In 1962, he split time at the position with Pete Beathard
Pete Beathard
Peter Falconer Beathard is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who played professionally in the American Football League , the National Football League , and the World Football League ....
, helping the team capture the national championship.
Professional career
Nelsen was drafted in the 10th round of the 1963 NFL Draft1963 NFL Draft
The 1963 National Football League Draft was held on December 4, 1962.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
by the Steelers, but saw limited action during his first two seasons. In 1965, new head coach Mike Nixon
Mike Nixon
Mike Nixon is a former American football player, coach and scout who spent close to a half-century connected to the game...
gave Nelsen the starting job. However, the struggling team finished 2-12, offering him little help, with Nelsen throwing for eight touchdowns, in addition to 17 interceptions. In the November 14, 1965 game against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, Nelsen suffered a knee injury that plagued him the remainder of that year and underwent surgery after the season.
The following season, Nelsen suffered a knee injury against the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
in the season's second game. Originally scheduled to be out of the lineup for six weeks, Nelsen would not return until the season's 12th week. The limited time on the field allowed him to set a league record for fewest interceptions (100 minimum passes) with just one on the campaign. In the season finale on December 18, he completed his final 11 passes to defeat the expansion Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
In 1967, the injuries continued for Nelsen when during the closing moments of the September 24 game against the St. Louis Cardinals(football)
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, he was injured following a tackle by Chuck Walker
Chuck Walker
Charles David "Chuck" Walker was a defensive tackle who played 12 seasons in the National Football League for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons. Walker attended Duke University. He was a consistent starter for both teams during the course of his career earning Pro Bowl honors in 1966...
. He missed the next four games, but came off the bench to engineer a 14-10 comeback victory over the expansion New Orleans Saints on October 29.
On May 14, 1968, Nelsen was traded, along with defensive back Jim Bradshaw
Jim Bradshaw
Jim Bradshaw is a former professional American football safety for five seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League. He graduated in 1958 from St...
to the Browns. After serving as Frank Ryan
Frank Ryan (American football)
Frank Beall Ryan is a retired American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the Los Angeles Rams , Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins . Although he led the Browns to their last National Football League title in 1964, Ryan is best remembered for being perhaps...
's backup for three games that year, Nelsen was elevated to the starting role, and quickly made his mark with a shocking 30-20 upset of the previously unbeaten Baltimore Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
on October 20. By the end of the season, Nelsen had led the team to the playoffs, winning nine of his 11 starts.
In 1969, Nelsen had another strong season, leading the Browns to a 10-3-1 record and a postseason berth, as well as being selected to his first and only Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. One week after throwing for five touchdowns in a 42-10 victory over the previously unbeaten Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
on November 2, Nelsen spent a miserable afternoon against the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
on the losing end of a 51-3 score. In addition, he briefly left that game with a pinched nerve in his throwing arm, a malady that would trouble him for the rest of the season.
In game two of the 1970 NFL season
1970 NFL season
The 1970 NFL season was the 51st regular season of the National Football League, and the first one after the AFL-NFL Merger.The merger forced a realignment between the combined league's clubs. Because there were 16 NFL teams and 10 AFL teams, three teams needed to transfer to balance the two new...
, Nelsen took yet another hit to his knees in a September 27 game against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. The injury forced him out of the game and kept him on the sidelines the following week as well. After a midseason slump, he was replaced for one game by rookie Mike Phipps
Mike Phipps
Michael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
, but returned to start the final five games. Unfortunately, the Browns dropped to a 7-7 mark and missed the postseason.
In 1971, Nelsen led the Browns to four wins in their first five games, but another midseason slump once again relegated him to the bench for one game. Unlike the previous year, however, Nelsen led the team to five straight victories to once again reach the playoffs. Nelsen briefly won the starting job to start the 1972 season, but gave way to Phipps after a 26-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
in the opening game. Weeks after the conclusion of the season, Nelsen underwent his fifth knee operation and announced his retirement.
Coaching career
On February 14, 1973, he was hired as an assistant coach for the New England PatriotsNew England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
, but resigned after two years. After briefly considering the Browns' open head coaching slot, he accepted an assistant position with the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He resigned that position following the dismissal of head coach Marion Campbell
Marion Campbell
Francis Marion Campbell is a former American football defensive lineman and head coach. Campbell played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1949 until 1951, where he was appropriately nicknamed "Swamp Fox"...
.
On February 9, 1977, he was named quarterback coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, reuniting him with his former college coach, John McKay
John McKay (football coach)
John Harvey McKay was an American football player and coach. He was served as the head coach at the University of Southern California from 1960 to 1975 and of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1984. In 16 seasons with the USC Trojans, McKay compiled a record of 127–40–8 and...
. He spent the next six seasons in that role until being fired amid reports of conflict with Buccaneers quarterback Doug Williams and McKay. After sitting out the 1983 NFL season
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
, Nelsen was hired by Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
' head coach Monte Clark
Monte Clark
Monte Dale Clark was an American football player who served as head coach for two National Football League teams: the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions.-College career:...
, a former Browns teammate, as their offensive coordinator on January 20, 1984.
Nelsen has since retired from coaching.