Before the perfect season, Billy Kilmer defined the grit of 1970s NFL football
In short: Billy Kilmer was a versatile athlete who played quarterback, running back, and receiver across eighteen professional seasons. Known for his wobbly passes and a single-bar face mask, he became a cult hero in Washington, where fans famously debated whether they preferred his unconventional style or Sonny Jurgensen's tight spiral.
Born in 1939 in Kansas and raised in California, Kilmer was a standout multi-sport athlete before joining UCLA. His college career was marked by versatility; he excelled as a runner and passer, earning the 1960 W.J. Voit Memorial Trophy. Despite his success, his professional position remained a subject of debate, with his College Football Hall of Fame plaque identifying him as a halfback who played tailback in a single-wing formation, while other records categorize him as a quarterback.
Kilmer’s professional journey included stints with the San Francisco 49ers, the New Orleans Saints, and the Washington Redskins. His tenure in San Francisco was interrupted by a severe leg injury from a 1962 car accident, and he later became a footnote in history during a 1964 game when his fumble was recovered by Jim Marshall, who ran it into the wrong end zone. In New Orleans, Kilmer was the starter during Tom Dempsey’s record-breaking 63-yard field goal in 1970, a moment he later compared to a legendary home run.
Joining Washington in 1971 under coach George Allen, Kilmer eventually secured the starting job after an injury to Sonny Jurgensen. He led the 1972 team to an impressive 11-3 record and an appearance in Super Bowl VII, where they fell to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Kilmer’s career was also punctuated by colorful off-field incidents, including a 1971 arrest at a Virginia coffee shop that ended with him tipping the waitress the entire hundred-dollar bill he had used to pay his tab. He retired after the 1978 season, leaving behind a legacy defined by his adaptability and resilience.
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