Jerell Wilson Dies at 63

ChiefsCountry · 04-09-2005, 08:40 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11355923.htm

Former Chief punting great Jerrel Wilson dies

By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star

Longtime Chiefs punter Jerrel Wilson, a member of the team's Hall of Fame and an integral part of the great teams of the 1960s and '70s, died Saturday of cancer in Bronson, Texas.

He was 63.

Wilson was known as “Thunderfoot” for his booming punts while playing for the Chiefs from 1963 through 1977. He still is considered one of the best punters in NFL history.

“The excellence of his talent was easy for everybody to see,” said former Kansas City linebacker Willie Lanier, another member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame. “He was incredible to watch. Jerrel was a big part of our success. He would always give us a boost when it came to field position. That made the job of the defense that much easier.”

Wilson played 15 seasons for the Chiefs, which is still more than any other player in franchise history. He played in 203 games for Kansas City, second only to Nick Lowery's 212 in a Chiefs uniform. Wilson finished his career with one season with New England in 1978.

Wilson was a member of the all-time American Football League team that was selected after the league became part of the NFL. He had a career average of 43.0 yards per kick and was at his best during big games. His Super Bowl average of 46.5 yards in 11 punts is a record.

“He could really boom it,” former Chiefs general manager Jack Steadman said. “There were many times he kicked us out of trouble with a 65-yard punt, a 70-yard punt.

“My feeling is that he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”

Wilson was drafted by the Chiefs in the 11th round in 1963 out of Southern Mississippi, which also turned out former Oakland punter Ray Guy, regarded by many as the best punter ever.

Wilson led the league in punting four times, tied with Sammy Baugh for the most ever, and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1970-72).

“(Former Chiefs coach) Hank Stram used to say he's never seen anyone who could attack a football like Wilson could,” said Bill Richardson, who used to cover the Chiefs for The Kansas City Star and saw Wilson play for many years.

Wilson's value to the Chiefs as a punter became evident early in his career. He was occasionally pressed into duty as an emergency running back in an era of limited rosters. He carried the ball 22 times for 53 yards in his career.

“After watching him play running back,” Lanier said, “it was even more obvious his skills were as a punter.”

After leaving football, Wilson moved to Texas to be near his ailing parents, according to Sean Wilson, the eldest of his two sons. Wilson worked in the fishing industry, selling boats, guiding tours and running a marina for a time.

But football was always his main interest.

“Even after leaving football, it was everything he ever talked about,” Sean Wilson said.

“If his body would have allowed it, he would have kept on playing. He never stopped with the stories of all the guys and all the good times he had with the Chiefs.”

Wilson will be buried Saturday in Huntsville, Texas.

4th and Long · 04-09-2005, 08:41 PM

KCFalcon59 · 04-09-2005, 08:42 PM

He was great. RIP Jerrel

**gblowfish** · 04-09-2005, 08:43 PM

That's very sad news. He should be a Canton HOF guy. He was the dominant punter of the 1960's, and was Ray Guy's role model. He started with the Chiefs as a running back. He led the AFL in punting many years. Very very sad news.

milkman · 04-09-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

"After watching him play RB," Lanier said, "It was even more obvious that his skills were as a punter"

That's just funny.

RIP Jerrel.

**Skip Towne** · 04-09-2005, 08:49 PM

Oh, man, not Thunderfoot. Probably the greatest punter EVAR!!!!!!

mississippichiefan · 04-09-2005, 08:59 PM

One of if not the greatest punter ever . I still remember those booming punts . rip jerell . Go Chiefs !!

KChiefs1 · 04-09-2005, 09:00 PM

RIP to the greatest punter who ever lived.

mikey23545 · 04-09-2005, 09:23 PM

What a punter that SOB was...

Him and Stenerud gave the Chiefs one of the greatest, if not the greatest, kicking combos of all time....

Braincase · 04-09-2005, 09:25 PM

**Rain Man** · 04-09-2005, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey23545

What a punter that SOB was...

Him and Stenerud gave the Chiefs one of the greatest, if not the greatest, kicking combos of all time....

Agreed. I'm saddened.

milkman · 04-09-2005, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey23545

What a punter that SOB was...

Him and Stenerud gave the Chiefs one of the greatest, if not the greatest, kicking combos of all time....

Yeah, as kid growing up watching the Chiefs, I got spoiled.

how have we come to this?

TEX · 04-09-2005, 09:58 PM

As a kid, I used to love watching Wilson BOOM kicks. He and Ray Guy were two of the best ever.

**Rain Man** · 04-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEX

As a kid, I used to love watching Wilson BOOM kicks. He and Ray Guy were two of the best ever.

The only difference being, of course, that Wilson punted for good and Guy punted for evil.

Michael Michigan · 04-09-2005, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The only difference being, of course, that Wilson punted for good and Guy punted for evil.

Indeed.

RIP Jerrel.

04-09-2005, 08:40 PM
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2328752	Jerell Wilson Dies at 63 http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansas...s/11355923.htm Former Chief punting great Jerrel Wilson dies By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Longtime Chiefs punter Jerrel Wilson, a member of the team's Hall of Fame and an integral part of the great teams of the 1960s and '70s, died Saturday of cancer in Bronson, Texas. He was 63. Wilson was known as “Thunderfoot” for his booming punts while playing for the Chiefs from 1963 through 1977. He still is considered one of the best punters in NFL history. “The excellence of his talent was easy for everybody to see,” said former Kansas City linebacker Willie Lanier, another member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame. “He was incredible to watch. Jerrel was a big part of our success. He would always give us a boost when it came to field position. That made the job of the defense that much easier.” Wilson played 15 seasons for the Chiefs, which is still more than any other player in franchise history. He played in 203 games for Kansas City, second only to Nick Lowery's 212 in a Chiefs uniform. Wilson finished his career with one season with New England in 1978. Wilson was a member of the all-time American Football League team that was selected after the league became part of the NFL. He had a career average of 43.0 yards per kick and was at his best during big games. His Super Bowl average of 46.5 yards in 11 punts is a record. “He could really boom it,” former Chiefs general manager Jack Steadman said. “There were many times he kicked us out of trouble with a 65-yard punt, a 70-yard punt. “My feeling is that he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.” Wilson was drafted by the Chiefs in the 11th round in 1963 out of Southern Mississippi, which also turned out former Oakland punter Ray Guy, regarded by many as the best punter ever. Wilson led the league in punting four times, tied with Sammy Baugh for the most ever, and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (1970-72). “(Former Chiefs coach) Hank Stram used to say he's never seen anyone who could attack a football like Wilson could,” said Bill Richardson, who used to cover the Chiefs for The Kansas City Star and saw Wilson play for many years. Wilson's value to the Chiefs as a punter became evident early in his career. He was occasionally pressed into duty as an emergency running back in an era of limited rosters. He carried the ball 22 times for 53 yards in his career. “After watching him play running back,” Lanier said, “it was even more obvious his skills were as a punter.” After leaving football, Wilson moved to Texas to be near his ailing parents, according to Sean Wilson, the eldest of his two sons. Wilson worked in the fishing industry, selling boats, guiding tours and running a marina for a time. But football was always his main interest. “Even after leaving football, it was everything he ever talked about,” Sean Wilson said. “If his body would have allowed it, he would have kept on playing. He never stopped with the stories of all the guys and all the good times he had with the Chiefs.” Wilson will be buried Saturday in Huntsville, Texas.
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04-09-2005, 08:41 PM	#2
4th and Long Wheeeeee!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: In a house Casino cash: $9334925
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04-09-2005, 08:42 PM	#3
KCFalcon59 MVP Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Topeka, Kansas Casino cash: $900000	He was great. RIP Jerrel
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04-09-2005, 08:43 PM	#4
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	That's very sad news. He should be a Canton HOF guy. He was the dominant punter of the 1960's, and was Ray Guy's role model. He started with the Chiefs as a running back. He led the AFL in punting many years. Very very sad news.
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04-09-2005, 08:49 PM	#6
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Oh, man, not Thunderfoot. Probably the greatest punter EVAR!!!!!!
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04-09-2005, 08:59 PM	#7
mississippichiefan Starter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: mississippi Casino cash: $10004900	One of if not the greatest punter ever . I still remember those booming punts . rip jerell . Go Chiefs !!
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04-09-2005, 09:00 PM	#8
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	RIP to the greatest punter who ever lived. __________________
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04-09-2005, 09:23 PM	#9
mikey23545 MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10015321	What a punter that SOB was... Him and Stenerud gave the Chiefs one of the greatest, if not the greatest, kicking combos of all time....
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04-09-2005, 09:25 PM	#10
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	RIP __________________ BrainCase
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04-09-2005, 09:58 PM	#13
TEX Out Gunning CP's Fandom Police Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Laguna Beach, CA Casino cash: $2373127	As a kid, I used to love watching Wilson BOOM kicks. He and Ray Guy were two of the best ever. __________________ "The CHIEFS, HAVE THEIR DYNASTY!"
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