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Willie Lanier

Willie Lanier

Actor

Born August 21, 1945 in Clover, Virginia, USA

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Biography

Willie Lanier was an outstanding defensive football player for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s and '70s, a time when the ability of African Americans to play the key defensive position of middle linebacker was questioned.

Lanier was named to the Little All-America team while at Morgan State University. In 1967 the Kansas City Chiefs selected him in the second round of the first combined American Football League and National Football League draft. The Chiefs had lost 35-10 to the Green Bay Packers in the first Super Bowl earlier that year and focused on defensive players in the draft.

Lanier became the starting middle linebacker in his rookie season, which was cut short by an injury. The next year, the Chiefs were 12-2, and Lanier began a streak of eight consecutive Pro Bowl selections. In his third season, Lanier led the Chiefs to the final American Football League championship prior to the league's merging with the NFL. As American Football League champions, the Chiefs unexpectedly defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV in 1970, with Lanier making an interception and the defense shutting out Minnesota in the first half on the way to a 23-7 victory.

Although the Chiefs made the play-offs just one more time in his career, Lanier remained a defensive star in the league. Called "Honey Bear" by his teammates, Lanier was a ferocious tackler. After concussions early in his career, he wore a specially padded helmet to protect himself from his own tremendous collisions. He had 15 career fumble recoveries and 27 pass interceptions, with 2 returned for touchdowns. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

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Filmography

Actor

13

Type

Year

Inside DKN Sports Poster

Inside DKN Sports TV Series2018Self

Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football Poster

Breaking the Huddle: The Integration of College Football Documentary2008Self

Kansas City Chiefs: The Complete History Poster

Kansas City Chiefs: The Complete History Video2007Self

America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions Poster

America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions TV Series2006Self

Super Bowl XXXIV Poster

Super Bowl XXXIV TV Special2000Self - Ceremonial Coin Toss

The Black 6 Poster

The Black 6 Feature Film1973Tommy Bunka

1972 NFL Pro Bowl TV Special1972Self - AFC Linebacker

1969 AFL Championship Game TV Special1970Self - Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker

NFL Monday Night Football Poster

NFL Monday Night Football TV Series1970Self - Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker

Super Bowl IV Poster

Super Bowl IV TV Special1970Self - Kansas City Chiefs Middle Linebacker

NFL Films Presents Poster

NFL Films Presents TV Series1967Self

The NFL on NBC Poster

The NFL on NBC TV Series1965Self - Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker

The NFL on CBS Poster

The NFL on CBS TV Series1956Self - Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker

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