| Birth Date: | 15 October 1919 |
| Birth Place: | McEwen, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Wellsburg, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Position1: | Defensive back |
| College: | Alabama |
| Nfldraftedyear: | 1943 |
| Nfldraftedround: | 15 |
| Nfldraftedpick: | 132 |
| Playing Years1: | 1946–1953 |
| Playing Team1: | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Playing Years2: | 1954 |
| Playing Team2: | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Career Highlights: |
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| Probowls: | 2 |
| Nfl: | CRA162064 |
| Databasefootball: | CRAFTRUS01 |
William Russell Craft (October 15, 1919 – January 12, 2009) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] He played college football at the University of Alabama and was drafted in the fifteenth round of the 1943 NFL draft.[2] In 1948, Craft was a key member of the Eagles in what became known as the Blizzard Bowl, in which the Eagles’ defense overwhelmed the Cardinals on the way to a 7–0 victory that earned Philadelphia its first N.F.L. championship.[3] In 1949, he was a notable player in helping the Eagles win a second World Championship, a 1947 Division Championship, and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1951 and 1952.[3]
Craft had some other notable achievements. In 1950, against the Chicago Cardinals, the Eagles' defense recorded eight interceptions, including an NFL-record-tying four by Craft. Craft had 22 career interceptions.[3] Then in 1952, while playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Craft was able to block three Extra points (PATs).
Craft was also a defensive coach for the Steelers.[4]
After football, Craft served as the sheriff of Brooke County, West Virginia from 1969 to 1972.[4]