Butch Wilson

George Marvin "Butch" Wilson (born September 18, 1941) is an American former professional football tight end who had a seven-season career in the National Football League (NFL) with the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants. ^[1] He was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the second round (24th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft. ^[1] He played from 1963 to 1969, appearing in 82 games as a tight end for these teams. ^[2] Prior to his professional career, Wilson played college football at the University of Alabama from 1960 to 1962, where he saw action in 30 games and contributed both on the ground and as a receiver. ^[3]

Early life and education

Background and high school

George Marvin "Butch" Wilson was born on September 18, 1941, in Birmingham, Alabama.^[1] He attended Hueytown High School in Hueytown, Alabama, where he played football as a halfback.^[4][5] Wilson lettered three years in football at Hueytown and earned recognition as All-Jefferson County, All-State, and Honorable Mention All-Southern All-America.^[5] He also starred in track during his high school years.^[5] His standout performance as a high school athlete paved the way for his collegiate career at the University of Alabama.^[5]

College at Alabama

Butch Wilson played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1959 to 1962.^[1] Listed as a running back, he appeared in games from 1960 to 1962, recording career totals of 92 rushing attempts for 360 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 31 receptions for 432 yards and 3 additional touchdowns.^[3] Wilson was a contributor to the 1961 Alabama team that finished undefeated at 11-0, claimed the Southeastern Conference championship with a 7-0 mark, ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press poll, and secured the national championship by defeating Arkansas 10-3 in the Sugar Bowl.^[6] In that season, he rushed 34 times for 149 yards and caught 8 passes for 95 yards with 2 touchdowns.^[6] In 1962, Wilson earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the Southeastern Conference's outstanding blocker, an award determined by a vote of conference coaches and notable for recognizing his blocking prowess despite his backfield role.^[7] His college performance at Alabama led to his selection in the 1963 NFL Draft.^[1]

Professional football career

Draft and Baltimore Colts (1963–1967)

Butch Wilson was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the second round (24th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft.^[1] He was also selected by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round (41st overall) of the 1963 AFL Draft.^[1] Wilson joined the Colts as a tight end and played his first five professional seasons with the team from 1963 to 1967.^[1] During his tenure with the Colts, Wilson appeared in 54 regular-season games but recorded zero starts, serving primarily as a reserve and depth tight end behind starter John Mackey.^[1][8] His receiving production remained limited overall, with all three of his career touchdowns occurring during this period.^[1] He posted his most productive receiving season in 1964 with 7 receptions for 86 yards and 1 touchdown across 11 games.^[1] In 1966, he caught 3 passes for 27 yards and 2 touchdowns in 14 games.^[1] Other years saw minimal output, including no receptions in 1963 (2 games) and 1967 (13 games), along with just 1 reception for 38 yards in 1965 (14 games).^[1] Wilson also participated in two postseason games with the Colts—one each in 1964 and 1965—but recorded no receptions in either contest.^[1] Following the 1967 season, he was traded to the New York Giants.^[8]

New York Giants (1968–1969)

Wilson played for the New York Giants from 1968 to 1969, marking the final stage of his NFL career. ^[1] In 1968, he recorded 4 receptions for 34 yards while starting 3 games. ^[1] The following season in 1969, he caught 10 passes for 132 yards and started 1 game. ^[1] Wilson's professional football career concluded after the 1969 season. ^[1] His role with the Giants was primarily as a reserve, though he recorded all four of his career starts during these two seasons. ^[1] These statistics reflect his contributions as a tight end during those two seasons. ^[1]

Career statistics and performance

NFL receiving and game logs

Butch Wilson played in 82 regular season games across seven NFL seasons from 1963 to 1969, starting 4 of them. ^[1] His career receiving totals included 25 receptions for 317 yards, averaging 12.7 yards per reception, with a longest catch of 38 yards and 3 touchdowns. ^[1] These figures were accumulated during his time with the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants. ^[1] Wilson's career statistics also reflect 2 fumble recoveries (one each in 1965 and 1966), no rushing attempts, and 18 total points scored from his receiving touchdowns. ^[1] He received no Pro Bowl selections or other major individual awards. ^[1] Career NFL statistics (regular season) ^[1]

Television appearances

The NFL on CBS (1964–1969)

Butch Wilson appeared as himself on The NFL on CBS, the television series that broadcast National Football League games, from 1964 to 1969.^[9] He was credited in four episodes during this period, appearing as a tight end for the Baltimore Colts in some instances and for the New York Giants in others.^[9] These television credits aligned with his active professional playing career, during which CBS held rights to broadcast many NFL games. His limited but consistent presence on the field as a reserve tight end coincided with the era when network television coverage brought regular-season matchups to national audiences.^[9] No additional details on specific games, interviews, or post-playing broadcasting roles are documented in available credits.^[9]

Personal life

Later years

After retiring from professional football following the 1969 season with the New York Giants, Butch Wilson was born on September 18, 1941.^[1]

Legacy

Butch Wilson's legacy in football is primarily associated with his contributions to one of Alabama's most storied teams and his longevity as an NFL veteran, though his professional career remained modest in terms of statistical impact and individual recognition. As a member of the Crimson Tide, he participated in the undefeated 1961 season that culminated in the national championship. ^{[10] [3]} He also earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 1962 as the Southeastern Conference's outstanding blocker. ^[11] In the NFL, Wilson played seven seasons from 1963 to 1969 for the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants, appearing in 82 games with only four starts, reflecting his consistent role as a reserve tight end. ^[1] Over his career, he recorded 25 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns. ^[1] His weighted career Approximate Value stands at 3 (ranked 12937th overall since 1960), and his Pro Football Hall of Fame Monitor score is 1.43 (486th among tight ends, compared to an average of 99.08 for Hall of Famers), underscoring a dependable but unspectacular professional tenure without major awards or Hall of Fame consideration. ^[1] Overall, Wilson's career highlights his early success in college football alongside a steady, if limited, presence in the professional ranks, where he contributed as a backup without achieving widespread acclaim. ^[1]