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Bill Stanfill
Bill Stanfill
Bill Stanfill
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William Thomas Stanfill (January 13, 1947 – November 10, 2016) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League (AFL) and then the National Football League (NFL) after the AFL-NFL merger of 1970. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a member of Miami's two Super Bowl-winning teams.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Stanfill attended Cairo High School in Cairo, Georgia, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track and field. In football, as a senior, he was named the Class AA Lineman of the Year after leading his team to three Region Championships. In basketball, as a senior, he led his team to the state championship and was named the state tournament MVP. In track and field, he added three state discus and one shot put AA titles.

College career

[edit]

Stanfill played defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1966 through 1968. He was awarded the Outland Trophy in 1968 and was named an All-American the same year. He received a B.S. degree from the University of Georgia in 1971. Stanfill was voted All-SEC in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and was the SEC Lineman of The Year in 1968. In addition, he was an Academic All-America that same season. During his three seasons at Georgia, the Bulldogs had a 26-6-2 record along with two Southeastern Conference titles: one in 1966 (co-champions) and the other in 1968. During that time the Bulldogs also appeared in three bowl games: the Cotton Bowl Classic in 1966, the Liberty Bowl in 1967 and the Sugar Bowl in 1968. Georgia beat SMU in the Cotton Bowl Classic, lost to North Carolina State in the Liberty and lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar.

Georgia's venerable coach Vince Dooley said of Stanfill, "He was everything you'd want in a defensive tackle. He combined speed, size, range, quickness and competitiveness to make him one of the greatest linemen to ever play the game" [1]

In a 1968 51-0 thumping of the University of Florida, Coach Dooley allowed Stanfill to finish the game at quarterback. The game was in a driving rainstorm and caused some hard feelings on the part of the Gator team. According to Litkenhous [2] the 8-1-2 Bulldogs were National Champions that season. However, most other polls and formulas awarded the football national championship to Ohio State University.

Selected to the 50th Anniversary All-SEC team (1933–1982). Also selected the SEC Quarter-Century team (1950–74) and All-SEC 25-year team (1961–1985) and 1960s All-SEC team. In 1984 was voted a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame [3] Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

Professional career

[edit]

Stanfill played for the Miami Dolphins from 1969-1976. As the NFL did not officially maintain sack records until 1982,[1] he unofficially led the Dolphins in sacks in 1969 with eight (Still an unofficial team rookie mark that was tied by Lorenzo Bromell in 1998), picked off two passes and returned both for touchdowns. Voted to the 1969 AFL All-Star game. He went to the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl from 1971 through 1974)

In 1970, Stanfill started on the 10-4 Dolphins and again unofficially led the team with sacks, this time with six. The Dolphins, although improving, lost in the playoffs. The following season Stanfill was an All-AFC choice and was unofficially third on the team with 6½ sacks. The Dolphins advanced to the Super Bowl, losing 24–3 to the Dallas Cowboys.

Stanfill was unofficially second on the 17-0 Super Bowl winning Dolphins team with 10 sacks (behind left defensive end Vern Den Herder's 10½) and was voted All-Pro by the Associated Press. He was a consensus All-AFC selection that unofficially led the Dolphins in sacks in 1973 with 18½ and was a consensus All-Pro and All-AFC selection as the 12-2 Dolphins won their second straight Super Bowl. His unofficial 1973 sack total still stands as the team record, although All-Pro Jason Taylor tied that mark in 2002 [4]. On October 7, 1973, Stanfill set the unofficial single-game sack record versus the New York Jets. Two weeks later, teammate Den Herder tied that mark against the Buffalo Bills.

In 1974, Stanfill unofficially led the Dolphins defense in sacks with 10 and was voted a second-team All-Pro by the NEA and Pro Football Writers Association and was an All-AFC selection for the fourth straight season. In November, versus the Buffalo Bills, Stanfill tied his own (and Den Herder's) unofficial game record for sacks, again recording five.

Injuries hampered Stanfill in 1975 and 1976- both knee and neck injured limited his playing time and marked the end to Stanfill's post-season honors. Still, he unofficially recorded 6½ sacks in 1975 and four in 1976. The mark in 1976 did, however, tie him for the team lead on a 6-8 Dolphins team [5].

In all, Stanfill unofficially totaled 69½ career sacks, which was the team record until broken by Jason Taylor, who now has 131 career sacks with the club (139.5 overall). He also is unofficially tied for fourth in the Dolphins' playoff record for sacks with four (tied with Bob Baumhower).

Stanfill was mentioned by Football Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti in his induction speech as being an unsung player on the early 1970s Dolphin teams and as being worthy of consideration for the Hall of Fame.

In 2007, Stanfill was voted to the All-Time Miami Dolphins team. [6]

On November 18, 2010, two defensive stars on Miami's 1972 undefeated team - S Jake Scott and DE Bill Stanfill - were inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll.

In 2021, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Stanfill to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2021[2]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions
GP GS Sck Int TD
1969 MIA 13 13 8.0 2 2
1970 MIA 14 14 6.0 0 0
1971 MIA 13 12 6.5 0 0
1972 MIA 14 14 10.0 0 0
1973 MIA 14 13 18.5 0 0
1974 MIA 14 14 10.0 0 0
1975 MIA 13 8 6.5 0 0
1976 MIA 14 7 4.0 0 0
Career 109 95 69.5 2 2

Later life and death

[edit]

Stanfill lived in Albany, Georgia as a real estate broker [7]. He was featured in a Sports Illustrated article that detailed the injuries to former NFL players, which also included Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas, Earl Campbell, Joe Jacoby, Curt Marsh, Harry Carson and others. SI reported that Stanfill had three surgeries, from August 1993 to January 1996, to fuse four vertebrae in his spine, a problem that started when he jammed his neck during an exhibition game in 1975. According to Stanfill, the surgeries on his spine caused a neck pain so severe he could not tip his head back, had little use of his left thumb, and experienced considerable loss of hand and arm strength. He also had surgery to repair a hip condition that was cutting blood flow to the hip bone.

On November 10, 2016, Stanfill died at age 69 of complications resulting from a fall.[3] He was found to have had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E., the degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma.[4] He is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with this disease.[5]

See also

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References

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Sources

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bill Stanfill

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from Grokipedia
William Thomas "Bill" Stanfill (January 13, 1947 – November 10, 2016) was an American professional football who played his entire eight-year career with the after being selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 1969 NFL Draft out of the . A dominant force on the defensive line, Stanfill earned five selections (1969, 1971–1974), two first- or second-team honors, and led the in sacks with 18.5 in 1973, contributing significantly to the Dolphins' back-to-back victories in VII and VIII, including their undefeated 17–0 season in 1972. At Georgia, Stanfill was a consensus All-American and recipient of the as the nation's top interior lineman in 1968, earning induction into the in 1998. A multisport standout from High School in Georgia, he was All-State in football, led his basketball team to a state championship while earning tournament MVP honors, and won three state titles in the . Stanfill's professional legacy includes recognition on the Dolphins' All-Time Team and Honor Roll, though he has not yet been inducted into the despite his pivotal role in one of the league's most celebrated eras.

Early Life

Family Background and Upbringing

William Thomas Stanfill was born on January 13, 1947, in , to Noah William Stanfill and Muriel Stanfill. He had at least one , a named Roddenbery, who predeceased him. Stanfill was raised in , a rural community in southwest Georgia's Grady County, known for its agricultural economy centered on and . Little is publicly documented about his parents' occupations or specific family dynamics, though his upbringing in this small-town Southern environment preceded his emergence as a multisport in local high .

High School Athletic Achievements

Stanfill attended Cairo High School in , where he participated in football, , and as a three-sport . In football, playing for the Cairo Syrupmakers, Stanfill earned recognition as the Class 2A Lineman of the Year in 1964 during his senior season. His performance contributed to the team's success in securing three consecutive region championships. Beyond football, Stanfill excelled in , securing three Georgia state Double-A championships in the and one in the shot put. He also competed in , though specific accolades in that sport are less documented in available records. These achievements highlighted his versatility and athletic prowess prior to his recruitment for .

College Career

Recruitment and University of Georgia Tenure

Stanfill, a three-sport standout at Cairo High School in Cairo, , earned All-State honors in football as the Class AA Lineman of the Year in 1964 and helped lead the basketball team to the state championship in 1965, where he was named . As a highly regarded in-state prospect, he was recruited by head coach , who enrolled him on a football in the fall of 1965 as part of the program's early buildup under new leadership. Stanfill transitioned to the varsity defensive tackle position for the from 1966 to 1968, anchoring the line during a period of rising success. The team compiled a 25-7-1 overall record across his three seasons, securing championships in 1966 and 1968 while appearing in three bowl games. In the 25 games he started, the Bulldogs went 25-6-2, reflecting his impact on the defense. Individually, Stanfill received second-team All-American recognition in both 1966 and 1967 before earning consensus first-team All-American honors in 1968, when he became Georgia's first recipient of the as the nation's outstanding interior lineman. He was also a three-time All-Southeastern Conference selection. Dooley later described him as "probably the greatest athlete as a lineman I ever coached," highlighting his versatility and dominance on the line.

Key Performances and Awards

During his junior and senior seasons, Stanfill earned All- first-team honors in and 1968, contributing to Georgia's defensive efforts on teams that secured SEC championships in both 1966 and 1968. In 1968, he was named Southeastern Conference Lineman of the Year after anchoring the Bulldogs' line in a season that saw Georgia finish 7-3-1 overall and claim a share of the conference title. Stanfill's senior year culminated in national recognition as a consensus All-American , the only such selection for Georgia that season. He won the , awarded to the outstanding interior lineman in , becoming the first and only Georgia player to receive it. Teammates elected him captain and most valuable player, highlighting his leadership and on-field impact, while he also garnered Academic All-American and Academic All-SEC honors. Notable performances included Georgia's decisive victory over a Steve Spurrier-led team, which Stanfill later recalled as a particularly dominant effort by the Bulldogs' defense in securing conference positioning. Over his three varsity seasons from 1966 to 1968, Georgia compiled a 25-6-2 record, with Stanfill's consistent disruption of opposing offenses central to the program's resurgence under coach .

Professional Career

Draft and Miami Dolphins Entry

Stanfill was selected by the with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft, held on January 29, 1969. The Dolphins targeted him for his college production as a at the , where he had demonstrated strong pass-rushing ability and run defense. At 6 feet 5 inches and 252 pounds, Stanfill was viewed as a foundational piece for Miami's defensive line under head coach , who had recently joined the team and aimed to build a dominant front four. In his rookie season of 1969, Stanfill started all 13 games he played for the Dolphins, contributing to a defense that allowed 21.2 points per game. Though official sack statistics were not recorded by the league at the time, Stanfill's efforts earned him selection to the AFL All-Star Game (precursor to the ) and a runner-up finish for AFL Rookie of the Year honors. His integration into the lineup marked the beginning of his role as a key , often lining up opposite Manny Fernandez, and helped the Dolphins finish 8-5-1, securing a playoff berth in Shula's first year. Stanfill's early contributions underscored his value as a high draft pick, with the team relying on his physicality to pressure quarterbacks in an era emphasizing .

Peak Seasons and Super Bowl Contributions

Stanfill's peak performance occurred from 1972 to 1974, during which he earned first-team honors in 1972 and second-team selections in 1973 and 1974, alongside appearances each year. In 1972, he started all 14 regular-season games for the Dolphins' undefeated 14-0 team, unofficially recording 10 sacks while contributing to a defense that allowed just 235 points over the season. His 1973 season marked a career high with 18.5 unofficial sacks—leading the Dolphins and tying for the lead—across 14 games with 13 starts, helping anchor a unit that surrendered only 208 points en route to another appearance. By 1974, Stanfill maintained productivity with 10 sacks in 14 starts, though the Dolphins' defense showed slight regression, allowing 239 points. These years highlighted his quickness and strength as a right , making him nearly unblockable according to coach . Stanfill appeared in three Super Bowls (VI, VII, and VIII) as a core member of Miami's "No-Name Defense," winning the latter two for back-to-back championships. In on January 16, 1972, he started but the Dolphins lost 24-3 to the , with Miami's defense holding Dallas to 3 field goals after an early touchdown amid a stifled offense. on January 14, 1973, capped the perfect 17-0 season with a 14-7 victory over Washington, where Stanfill—playing through a sprained shoulder that limited practice—helped restrict to 228 total yards and 7 points, sealing the undefeated legacy. In on January 13, 1974, against Minnesota, he contributed to a dominant 24-7 win, as the defense pressured quarterback into 18 completions on 28 attempts for 157 yards and limited the to 7 points despite their rushing attack. Across these games, Stanfill's pass-rushing presence was integral to holding opponents under 10 points in the victories, underscoring his role in Miami's defensive supremacy.

Retirement and Career Totals

Stanfill retired from professional football after the , concluding an eight-year tenure with the , primarily due to chronic neck and knee injuries that limited his play in his final two seasons and necessitated multiple hospitalizations. Throughout his career from 1969 to 1976, Stanfill appeared in 109 regular-season games, starting 96, and contributed significantly to Miami's defenses during their dominant mid-1970s era, including two championships (VII and VIII). Defensive statistics from the pre-sack era (official sack tracking began in 1982) are estimates derived from play-by-play reviews, but records indicate Stanfill amassed approximately 69.5 sacks, with a career-high 18.5 in 1973—unofficially the most in Dolphins history and among the 's top marks that year. He also recorded 2 interceptions for 32 yards and 2 touchdowns, alongside 9 fumble recoveries.
StatisticCareer Total
Games Played109
Games Started96
Sacks (estimated)69.5
Interceptions2
Interception Yards32
Interception Touchdowns2
Fumble Recoveries9
Super Bowls Won2
These totals underscore Stanfill's role as a foundational pass rusher on Miami's "No-Name Defense," though incomplete era-specific tracking limits direct comparisons to modern metrics.

Honors and Legacy

Individual Accolades

Stanfill earned consensus honors as a senior at the in 1968, along with selection to the All-Southeastern Conference team for the third consecutive year from 1966 to 1968. That season, he won the , awarded to the nation's top interior lineman, and was named Academic while serving as team captain and receiving the William K. Jenkins Award as Georgia's . In his professional career with the , Stanfill garnered five selections, including as a rookie in the AFL in 1969 and consecutively in the from 1971 to 1974. He received first-team recognition from the in 1972, with second-team honors in 1973 and 1974 across multiple outlets, and first-team All-AFC honors in 1971 per . Stanfill also paced the league in sacks with 18.5 in 1973, tying the Dolphins' single-season franchise record, despite sacks not being an official statistic during his era.

Team Impact and Hall of Fame Recognition

Stanfill served as a starting for the from 1970 to 1976, anchoring the right side of the "No-Name Defense" that allowed a league-low 235 points during the 1972 regular season and propelled the team to a perfect 17-0 record, the only undefeated season in history. His pass-rushing prowess, including a team-leading 6.5 sacks in the 1973 postseason en route to , helped limit opponents to an average of 12.2 points per game across the two championship campaigns. Teammate Nat Moore described him as an "unsung hero" whose consistent pressure on quarterbacks was vital to the unit's success, despite lacking the name recognition of stars like . Over his Dolphins tenure, Stanfill amassed 67.5 unofficial sacks—a franchise record until surpassed by Jason Taylor in 2007—and recovered three fumbles in key playoff games, contributing to back-to-back victories in VII and VIII. His efforts were integral to a defense that ranked first in points allowed in , , and , enabling the offense's efficiency under coach . Regarding Hall of Fame recognition, Stanfill was inducted into the in 1998 for his collegiate dominance at Georgia, where he won the as the nation's top interior lineman. He received further honors including the Circle of Honor in 2000, the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, and selection to the and All-Time Team in 2007. However, despite five appearances and two nods, he has not been enshrined in the , though he was voted into the Professional Football Researchers Association's Hall of Very Good in 2022 as an overlooked contributor to Miami's dynasty. Advocates, including those from the Talk of Fame Network, have nominated him as a seniors candidate, citing his statistical impact and role in the only perfect team.

Post-Retirement Life

Business and Personal Pursuits

Following his retirement from the after the 1976 season, Bill Stanfill relocated to , and built a successful career in and brokerage. He pursued additional business interests in the region, including partial ownership of the Merry Acres Motel, where he maintained an office. Stanfill's entrepreneurial activities reflected his post-athletic transition into local commerce, leveraging his prominence as a former and standout to foster community ties in southwest Georgia. On a personal level, Stanfill remained socially engaging, often described as charismatic and central to gatherings, while prioritizing family; he was married and fathered three sons—Stan, Jake, and Scott. Stanfill experienced significant post-retirement health deterioration attributable to cumulative trauma from his football career, including repeated impacts to the head, , and lower body. He sustained fractures in every during his playing days, with some broken multiple times, alongside numerous concussions that contributed to later neurological symptoms. Orthopedic injuries necessitated multiple interventions, including at least three surgeries and spinal fusions that fused four following a 1975 head-to-head collision, resulting in severely restricted mobility—he could turn his head only a few inches and required physical aids for basic maneuvers like reversing a vehicle. Chronic pain in his legs and hips persisted, exacerbated by requiring bilateral hip replacements, linked to injections and repetitive blunt force. Neurological decline manifested as , widely attributed to (CTE) from subconcussive and concussive hits, with Stanfill exhibiting an advanced case as documented in analyses of 1972 Dolphins players. His and spine were donated to for CTE research post-mortem, underscoring the suspected causal role of football-related head trauma. Additional sequelae included left-hand from cervical nerve damage and overall frailty, culminating in declining mobility that preceded a fall and leg fracture in late 2016. These conditions rendered daily activities laborious, with Stanfill walking in persistent pain and managing fused spinal limitations that prevented full head extension or rotation.

Death

Circumstances of Passing

Bill Stanfill died on November 10, 2016, at the age of 69 in , following complications from a recent fall that resulted in a severely broken leg requiring surgical repair. The injury occurred shortly before his death, exacerbating his existing health challenges and leading to his admission to the Willson Hospice House. He passed away peacefully there, surrounded by family, after the surgical complications proved fatal. A posthumous examination revealed stage 3 (CTE), linked to repeated head trauma from his football career, though this did not directly cause the immediate terminal events.

Tributes and Posthumous Reflections

Following Stanfill's death on November 10, 2016, tributes from former coaches and teammates emphasized his athletic prowess, competitive intensity, and personal character. , his coach at the , described him as "probably the greatest athlete as a lineman I ever coached," highlighting his versatility against triple-option offenses and praising him as "a great person, great warrior, and a great Bulldog." , who coached him with the , lauded Stanfill's role in the teams, noting his quickness, strength, and unblockable pressure on quarterbacks that bolstered the "No-Name Defense," while extending condolences to his family. Teammates and opponents reflected on his leadership and field dominance. Nat Moore, a former Dolphins and senior vice president for alumni relations, recalled Stanfill's "gentle demeanor" masking a "ferocious competitive streak," his on-field intensity, locker-room wit, and status as a leader amid the team's diverse personalities, stating he would be missed by teammates, the organization, and fans. Washington Redskins quarterback , reflecting on , asserted that while others like Manny Fernandez, , , and received attention, "Bill Stanfill was the hero of Seven." Posthumous recognition underscored Stanfill's enduring legacy. His family described him in the obituary as a "" who cherished family, faith, and life beyond football, with funeral attendees requested to wear University of Georgia's red and black colors. The Dolphins organization and Georgia athletics community mourned a pivotal figure in their championship histories, with reflections affirming his contributions to undefeated seasons and defensive excellence that continued to resonate in team lore.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/StanBi00.htm
  2. https://www.ghsfhf.com/hall-of-fame-classes/2022-inaugural-class/bill-stanfill
  3. https://www.secsports.com/article/18023306/uga-all-american-bill-stanfill-dies
  4. https://www.kimbrellstern.com/m/obituaries/William-Bill-Stanfill/
  5. https://talkoffametwo.com/state-your-case/state-your-case-dolphins-bill-stanfill
  6. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/onlineathens/name/william-stanfill-obituary?id=22413649
  7. https://georgiadogs.com/news/2016/11/11/Former_Bulldog_Star_Stanfill_Dies_In_Albany
  8. https://obits.syracuse.com/us/obituaries/syracuse/name/bill-stanfill-obituary?pid=182493229
  9. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/bill-stanfill-1998/
  10. https://cairogachamber.com/notable-natives/
  11. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/bill-stanfill/1931
  12. https://www.georgiatrend.com/2008/03/01/a-hitters-success/
  13. https://timesenterprise.com/2016/11/11/stanfill-remembered-as-one-of-ugas-states-greatest/
  14. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18021133/bill-stanfill-former-defensive-lineman-georgia-miami-dolphins-dies-age-69
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  16. https://georgiadogs.com/sports/2017/6/17/sports-m-footbl-spec-rel-1960s-html
  17. https://georgiadogs.com/sports/2017/6/17/sports-m-footbl-spec-rel-football-hof-html
  18. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2016/11/11/_55746.aspx
  19. https://profootballresearchers.com/biography/Stanfill_Bill.pdf
  20. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_career.htm
  21. https://footballfoundation.org/hof_search.aspx?hof=1931
  22. https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/11/11/ap-fbo-obit-stanfill
  23. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bill-stanfill-leader-of-dolphins-legendary-no-name-defense-dies-at-69
  24. https://www.facebook.com/groups/211167913141795/posts/842221436703103/
  25. https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/former-uga-all-american-stanfill-dies/sLIjSeapKrtn5dZXVTwzOI/
  26. https://footballfoundation.org/news/2016/11/21/_85.aspx
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/30/sports/football/dolphins-cte.html
  28. https://www.dawgnation.com/football/opinion/towers-take-ugas-bill-stanfill-was-a-great-player-and-an-awesome-letterman/
  29. https://www.dawgnation.com/football/opinion/towers-take-football-took-a-heavy-toll-on-uga-legend-bill-stanfill/
  30. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/2018/08/12/former-uga-players-families-impacted-by-concussions-and-cte/6491730007/
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  32. https://www.onlineathens.com/story/news/state/2016/11/11/georgia-football-legend-bill-stanfill-dies/15450564007/
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