Bill Stevenson (offensive lineman) explained

Bill Stevenson
Birth Date:June 4, 1951
Birth Place:High Prairie, Alberta, Canada
Death Place:Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Number:62
Import:no
Position1:Offensive tackle
Position2:Guard
College:Drake
Nfldraftedyear:1974
Nfldraftedround:4
Nfldraftedpick:104
Nfldraftedteam:Miami Dolphins
Playing Years1:1974–1975
Playing Team1:Memphis Southmen - WFL
Playing Years2:
Playing Team2:Edmonton Eskimos
Career Highlights:

Bill Stevenson (June 4, 1951 – March 19, 2007) was a Canadian Football League (CFL) player with the Edmonton Eskimos. After playing college football at Drake University, he was drafted by the NFL's Miami Dolphins and played in the World Football League (WFL) with the Memphis Southmen for two seasons, followed by a 14-year CFL career with the Eskimos, the first three as a defensive lineman and the remainder as an offensive lineman. He was named CFL All-Star 2 times and was a part of a CFL record seven Grey Cup championship teams with the Eskimos.

After his playing career ended, Stevenson struggled in his business and personal life, suffered through bankruptcy and divorce, and was forced to take refuge in shelters for the homeless. He died in 2007 in an accident when he slipped and fell backwards down the stairs in his mother's home in Edmonton.[1]

On November 19, 2008, the CBC Television show The Fifth Estate suggested that Stevenson, who went through years of alcohol abuse and destitution, enduring the effects of years of unreported head injuries from playing professional football. Teammates York Hentschel and David Boone are believed to have had the same injuries.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Intercepting ex-Esks who spiral out of control]. Edmonton Journal. July 3, 2007. Darcy. Henton. Apr 15, 2023.
  2. News: Dynasty to death: CBC's Fifth Estate examines head injuries in football. 2008-11-19. CBC Sports. 2008-11-20.