Bill Willis

High school

East High School

College

Ohio State University

Pro team(s)

Cleveland Browns

Hall of Fame

⭐ Pro Football Hall of Fame

Bill Willis was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, and attended East High School before becoming an All-American guard at Ohio State. In 1946, Paul Brown recruited Willis and Marion Motley to the Cleveland Browns of the AAFC, making them two of the first Black players in professional football's modern era. Willis played middle guard on Cleveland's dominant defense, using a quick charge off the line of scrimmage that was ahead of its time — essentially inventing the technique that would become standard for interior defensive linemen. He won four championships with the Browns (3 AAFC, 1 NFL) and was a three-time All-Pro. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.