Happy 85th birthday to Bill Kilmer! Kilmer played quarterback for eighteen seasons in the NFL: 1961 to 1966 for the San Francisco 49ers, 1967 to 1970 for the New Orleans Saints, and 1971 to 1978 for the Washington Redskins. Early in his career, he also played halfback for the 49ers.
Kilmer led Washington to Super Bowl VII in 1972, but the Redskins lost to the Miami Dolphins, 14-7. The same season, he led the NFL with nineteen touchdown passes and made the Pro Bowl. He had the league’s longest pass completion in 1967 and again in 1975. Both plays were for 96 yards: in 1967 to Walter Roberts, and in 1975 to Frank Grant.
Kilmer played college football at UCLA. In 1960, he finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. (See the Gallery’s page of Heisman candidates.) He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999. After his pro career, he was inducted into both the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame and the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame.
Today’s card of the day is Kilmer’s rookie card, a 1962 Topps. He appeared on many more cards, as well.
