Tennessee football’s top five NFL TEs of all time
839. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 1955-1957. Years in NFL: 8. Bill Anderson. 2
Teams played for:
- Washington Redskins, 1958-1963
- Green Bay Packers, 1965-1966
Many fans on Rocky Top remember Bill Anderson for his years as the color commentator with John Ward on the Vol Network. However, before that, he was a legendary player for Tennessee football. Anderson was a wingback in the Vols’ single-wing, and as teammates with Johnny Majors, he helped UT go 10-0 and win the SEC Championship under Bowden Wyatt.
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In 1958, the Washington Redskins saw Anderson’s potential as a tight end at 6’3″ 211 pounds. They took him in the third round of the NFL Draft. Immediately, he became a star, spending six years with the franchise as a starter and making two Pro Bowl appearances in 1959 and 1960. His abilities as a receiving tight end put him ahead of his time.
After those years in D.C., Anderson retired at the end of the 1963 season and joined the Vols’ coaching staff. However, he decided to return to the game in 1965, joining the Green Bay Packers, where he spent the final two years of his career, helping them win the first Super Bowl Championship in history in 1966-67.
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Anderson finished his eight-year career in the pros with 178 catches for 3,078 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those were great numbers, and he made two Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. It’s worth noting that he won back to back NFL titles with Green Bay as well. Simply put, his career was a resounding success, so he belongs near the top of this list.