Willie Buchanon
Encyclopedia
Willie James Buchanon is a former cornerback
for the National Football League
's Green Bay Packers
and San Diego Chargers
; he was defensive rookie of the year in 1972 and a three-time Pro Bowl
player. He finished his career with his hometown San Diego Chargers
, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.
, where he was a graduate of Oceanside High School
. He attended Mira Costa College, 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.
in 1943. Buchanon spent his last four pro years with the San Diego Chargers, where he tied the NFL all-time record for most recoveries in a game in 1981.
, San Diego State Hall of Fame, San Diego Hall of Champions
, California State Junior College Hall of Fame and Oceanside High School Hall of Fame. He is now a realtor in San Diego.
. 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.
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
for 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...
's 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...
and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; he was defensive rookie of the year in 1972 and a three-time 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...
player. He finished his career with his hometown San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.
Early years through college
Buchanon was born and raised in Oceanside, CaliforniaOceanside, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Oceanside had a population of 167,086. The population density was 3,961.8 people per square mile...
, where he was a graduate of Oceanside High School
Oceanside High School
-Campus:Oceanside High School rests between the beach and Interstate 5. The remodeled campus includes many palm trees and new sport fields. There is a three-story Science & technology building and Senior Hall...
. He attended Mira Costa College, where he was a Junior College All-American in 1969. Buchanon later played football and graduated from San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
. 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 draft, the 7th overall pick. He was the 1972 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a three time All-Pro. In 1978, the Packers defensive back led the NFC with 9 interceptions, including four on September 24, 1978 against the San Diego Chargers that tied him for the still-standing NFL record for most interceptions in a game, first set by Sammy BaughSammy Baugh
Samuel Adrian "Slingin' Sammy" Baugh was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American. He then played in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952...
in 1943. Buchanon spent his last four pro years with the San Diego Chargers, 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 FameGreen Bay Packers Hall of Fame
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame was the first hall of fame built to honor a single professional American football team. After receiving approval from coach Vince Lombardi, William L. Brault, a Green Bay restaurateur and Packers fan, founded the Hall of Fame in 1966...
, San Diego State Hall of Fame, San Diego Hall of Champions
San Diego Hall of Champions
The San Diego Hall of Champions is an American multi-sport museum in San Diego, California. Located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park, the facility recognizes outstanding athletic accomplishments and traditions involving more than forty-two sports...
, 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, WillWill Buchanon
William James Buchanon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He played college football at Southern California....
. 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.