Willie Townes

Willie Townes, was born on July 21, 1943 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to the parents of Tommie Townes and Eddie Mae Reed-Townes. He received his formal education in the Mississippi Public schools and played high school football at Rowan High School. He signed with Indiana University but ended up transferring to the University of Tulsa, where he became one of the best defensive linemen in school's history. He was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection at defensive tackle in 1964 and 1965. The 1964 team beat Mississippi 14-7 in the Bluebonnet Bowl, where he received the game’s outstanding lineman trophy. He also was an honorable-mention All-American selection. In 1965, he was an All-American candidate, but ankle and knee injuries limited him that year. Willie passed up his senior year in 1966 to enter the NFL, when he became eligible for the draft, because he was a redshirt player whose class had graduated. In 1986, he was inducted into the University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame. Willie was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round (22nd overall) of the 1966 NFL Draft and also in the first round of the 1966 AFL Redshirt Draft by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. He started his professional career as a defensive tackle, but in the middle of his rookie season, he was moved to left defensive end, replacing Larry Stephens in the starting lineup. At the end of the year, he was considered one of the top rookies in the league and a rising star. He is perhaps best known for causing Bart Starr to fumble in the 1967 NFL Championship Game, commonly known as the Ice Bowl. The fumble was picked up and returned for a touchdown by defensive end George Andrie, scoring six of the Cowboys' 17 points in the loss. Willie played in only 5 games during the 1968 season, after suffering a serious hamstring injury and was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie Larry Cole, who would not relinquish the position back. He missed the entire 1969 season due to the same injury. Citing health and weight problems as a major reason for their decision, the Cowboys traded him to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fourth round draft choice (#80-Joe Carter) on September 9, 1970. The NFL didn't start recognizing quarterback sacks as an official stat until 1982; however the Cowboys have their own records, dating back before the 1982 season. According to the Cowboys' stats, Willie is unofficially credited with a total of 9 sacks during his 1966 season, tying him with Harvey Martin for the most by a Cowboys rookie in franchise history. With 15 sacks, he is also tied with Larry Cole for the third most sacks (behind DeMarcus Ware and Harvey Martin) recorded by a Cowboys player in his first two years in the NFL. New Orleans Saints Willie was released on January 25, 1971, after appearing in just six games with the New Orleans Saints. New York Giants He finished his NFL career after he was released by the New York Giants on August 24, 1971. During his short career he played in 38 games, recorded one safety and one touchdown. Willie met and married Sandra “DeeDee” Lewing-Townes and to this union a son was born, William “Tiger” Townes, II. He later met and married Eva “Kandi” Johnson-Townes for over 40 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Tommie Townes; mother, Eddie Mae Reed Townes; a brother, Tommie James Townes, Jr; sisters, Willie Jean Townes Evans, Edna E. Townes Dawkins, Betty Jean Townes Gaddis, Shirley M. Townes McGhee, Pearlean Townes Burns, Sandra Townes Holloway, Louise Townes and Elouise Townes. He leaves to cherish his Legacy: wife, Eva “Kandi” Johnson Townes; son, William “Tiger” Townes; sister, Annie Ruth Townes of Kansas City, Missouri and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Willie Townes

July 21, 1943 - July 22, 2017