Wilbur Young Explained

Number:99
Position:Defensive tackle/end
Birth Date:20 April 1949
Birth Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Death Place:Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:285
High School:James Monroe
(New York City, New York)
College:William Penn (1967–1970)
Draftyear:1971
Draftround:2
Draftpick:39
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:153
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:98
Statlabel3:Interceptions
Statvalue3:2
Statlabel4:Touchdowns
Statvalue4:2
Statlabel5:Fumble recoveries
Statvalue5:11
Pfr:YounWi20

Wilbur Eugene Young, Jr. (April 20, 1949 – July 5, 2014) was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. He also played for the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League (USFL).

Early life

Young was born in New York City, New York and attended James Monroe High School in the Bronx.

College career

Young played college football at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. While attending William Penn, he was a two-time 1st Team All-Conference defensive tackle. In 1969 and 1970, he was named a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-American. As a senior, Young was invited to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game.[1] In addition to football, he also lettered and set a school record in the shot put for the track and field program.[2]

He graduated from William Penn in May 1971 with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education. Young was inducted into the William Penn Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2002.

Professional career

NFL

Young was drafted in the second round (39th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played from 1971 to 1977. After the 1978 NFL draft, during which the Chiefs drafted defensive players Art Still and Sylvester Hicks, Young was traded to the San Diego Chargers for wide receiver Larry Dorsey. He played for the Chargers from 1978 to 1980. In 1979 with San Diego, starting defensive tackle Louie Kelcher was sidelined for all but three minutes after a knee operation, but Young filled in and was named All-Pro by Sports Illustrated and United Press International.[3] [4] In 1981, he was traded to the Washington Redskins for offensive lineman Jeff Williams.[5] However, in November 1981, the Redskins cut Young. He was then claimed by the Chargers, where he finished the season and played in 1982.

USFL

In 1984, Young played for the Arizona Wranglers of the United States Football League.

Coaching career

After retiring from football, Young became an assistant coach at Monticello High School in Charlottesville, Virginia, during which he helped lead the football team to their first state championship appearance in 2003 and first state championship victory in 2007.[6] He also coached shot put for the Monticello track and field team.

Personal life

He had one child a daughter, Desiree Irwin, with Sharon Irwin of Roseville, Kansas.

Young lived in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he worked at several homes for wayward boys and challenged adults, coached high school sports and worked in the customer service industry.

Young died on July 5, 2014, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Oskalossa News. Remembering Wilbur E. Young, Jr. July 7, 2014. 2015-04-08.
  2. Web site: William Penn University. 2015-04-08. 2016-07-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20160724071915/http://www.statesmenathletics.com/hof/72.php. dead.
  3. News: Zimmerman. Paul. Afc West. September 8, 1980. Sports Illustrated. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203211154/http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Afc+West+-+09.08.80+-+SI+Vault&urlID=412270207&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1123752%2Findex.htm. February 3, 2014. live.
  4. News: Zimmerman. Paul. The Gospel According To Paul. December 24, 1979. Sports Illustrated. https://web.archive.org/web/20190705203017/http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Weighing+traditional+All-Pro+lists+and+finding+them+-+12.24.79+-+SI+Vault&urlID=446648952&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine. July 5, 2019. live.
  5. News: The Washington Post. Redskins Trade Williams for Wilbur Young. May 16, 1981. 2015-06-30.
  6. Web site: The Daily Progress. Service for Young to be held at Monticello on Saturday. July 14, 2014. 2015-04-08.