Larry Wilson
The first Utah player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a pioneer of the safety blitz.
Lawrence Frank Wilson (March 24, 1938 – September 17, 2020) was an American professional football safety who played his entire 13-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he remained on the team's payroll until 2003, long after the franchise moved to Phoenix in 1988.
- Position
- Safety
- Team
- St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals
- Pro Bowl Selections
- 8
- First Team All-Pro
- 7 (combined first- and second-team selections mentioned; source specifies AP fir
- Career Interceptions
- 52
- Hall of Fame Induction
- 1978
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Wilson transformed the safety position by popularizing the 'safety blitz,' an aggressive maneuver where the safety rushes the line of scrimmage to sack the quarterback. Although he did not invent the play, he capitalized on it more than any other pro player of his decade. Known as 'Wildcat' because of this association, Wilson is renowned for returning an interception for a touchdown while wearing casts on both broken wrists. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, his first year of eligibility.
In Their Own Story
In 1960, Wilson entered training camp as a running back and cornerback but faced being cut until coach Frank 'Pop' Ivy and defensive coordinator Chuck Drulis moved him to safety. In the opening game of his second season (1961) against the New York Giants, he executed two safety blitzes that sacked the quarterback twice, leading to an upset victory. During the 1966 season, Wilson tied an NFL record with at least one interception in seven consecutive games and led the league with 10 interceptions, earning first-team All-Pro honors from five major organizations.
Reader's Guide
Wilson played for the Chicago Cardinals before they moved to St. Louis prior to his rookie year (1960). He was selected in the 7th round of the 1960 NFL draft by the Cardinals after being chosen by the Buffalo Bills in the first AFL draft. His career stats include 52 interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and one rushing touchdown on offense. Despite his individual success, he never played in an official playoff game; the closest he came was winning the 1964 Playoff Bowl, which is now considered an exhibition. He retired after the 1972 season but served as general manager for the Arizona Cardinals starting in 1988.
Did You Know?
- Wilson was the first player from the University of Utah to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- He returned an interception for a touchdown while wearing casts on both hands due to broken wrists.
- Wilson remained on the Cardinals' payroll until 2003, decades after his playing career ended and the team moved to Arizona.
- His jersey number 7 is permanently retired at Rigby High School in Idaho, where he grew up.
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