Athletes - Bill Dudley

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	Athletes - Bill Dudley

William McGarvey Dudley (born December 24, 1921 in Bluefield, Virginia) is a former American football player. His ability to hit his target led to the nicknames Bullet Bill or the Bluefield Bullet.

College career

Dudley was recruited to the University of Virginia after impressing scouts there with his ability at Graham High School. Although he was originally slated to be a punter and placekicker, he eventually came to play the tailback position, and started every game at tailback for the Cavaliers as a junior. His senior year, he became Virginia's first All-American, and won the Maxwell Award. He was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1942 NFL Draft.

Service

As World War II was raging in Europe, the armed forces were drafting all able-bodied young men. In 1942 Dudley was drafted by the Army Air Corps, but because of a delay in training he was able to finish his season with the Steelers. Dudley ended up leading the league in rushing, and won Rookie of the Year honors (before the Associated Press began giving the award). As a result of him joining the Army, he played for their football team, and led the team to a 12-0 record in 1944, thus winning the Most Valuable Player award.

Return to the NFL

Upon the close of the war in 1945, Dudley returned to the Steelers. As a testament to his ability, he managed to lead the team in scoring for the season despite only playing in four games. During the 1946 NFL season, Dudley set a record that is unlikely to ever be broken. Because of his versatility, and the "60-minute men" that played in the NFL on offense and defense, Dudley led the league in four very distinct statistical categories. He led the league in rushing (604 yards), interceptions (10), punt returns (27 for 385 yards), and lateral passing (which is no longer recorded). As a result, Dudley was the NFL's choice for the Joe Carr trophy, which went to the league's MVP. The award was discontinued after the season, and did not return until the AP brought it back in 1957. Dudley became the first (and as of 2005, only) person to win MVP awards in college, service, and professional levels. Dudley was traded to the Detroit Lions after 1946, partially due to a contentious relationship with Steelers coach Jock Sutherland. After three years in Detroit, he was traded to the Washington Redskins. After sitting out the 1952 NFL season, he returned to the Lions in 1953, where he finished his career mostly as a placekicker and defensive player. Dudley was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

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