American Football Database
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William Graham
No. 33     
Safety
Personal information
Date of birth: (1959-09-27) September 27, 1959 (age 65)
Place of birth: Silsbee, Texas
Career information
College: Texas
NFL Draft: 1982 / Round: 5 / Pick: 127
No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
* Detroit Lions (1982–1987)
Career highlights and awards
Interceptions     6
Sacks     1.0
Fumble recoveries     6
Stats at NFL.com

William Roger Graham is a former professional American football player who played safety for six seasons for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League.

Career[]

Collegiate[]

William Graham played defensive back for the Texas Longhorns from 1979-1981. In 11 games in 1980, he recorded four interceptions. In 11 games in 1981 he recorded seven more, tying the school record,[1] leading the Southwest Conference and tied for third in the nation. His 11 career interceptions was fourth all-time at Texas.[2][3]

Professional[]

Graham was drafted in the 5th round by the Detroit Lions in the 1982 draft. He played in 7 games his rookie season, then fourteen (all but the first two, and all as a starter) in 1983 during which he recovered three fumbles as a free safety. In 1984, he started 13 of 14 games (missing two in late October due to an injury), recorded his first career interception in a Thanksgiving victory over Green Bay in week 13, and two more interceptions off former Lions quarterback Greg Landry in a season-finale loss to the Chicago Bears. In 1985, Graham started in all 16 games for the only time in his career. He again recorded 3 interceptions (including two in a week 11 victory over the Minnesota Vikings) and his only career sack. In 1987, Graham was no longer a starter, though he appeared in all 16 games and was used occasionally as a kickoff returner (3 returns for 72 yards). He appeared in just two games in 1988, and was released at the end of the season.[4] He is one of 16 players in Lions history with two or more multiple-interception games.[5]

References[]

  1. Since broken by Earl Thomas in 2009.
  2. Tied for 9th as of 2017.
  3. University of Texas Football Media Guide, 2016
  4. William Graham's webpage at pro-football-reference.com.
  5. Lions with multiple interception games


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