Professional Football Player. A native of Anderson, South Carolina, he attended the Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina, and then the Michigan State University. He was a Michigan State All-American and defensive football star at the University. Webster was once named "The greatest Spartan in MSU football history." He later played professionally for the American Football League's and the National Football League's Houston Oilers for five seasons, from 1967 to 1972. Webster also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972 to 1973, and the New England Patriots from 1974 to 1976. He was named the UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year in 1967, and the AFL All-Star Game Defensive MVP in 1968. In 1989, he made headlines when he applied for disability benefits, but was denied. He was found not to have the use of most of his hand, foot, knee and ankle due to football-related injuries, but he did not meet the NFL's definition of totally disabled. In 1998, the United States Supreme Court let stand a finding by the NFL's retirement board that Webster's disability was not related to his football career. In 2002, he had his right leg amputated above the knee because the limb had little circulation despite four previous surgeries. He died in Houston, Texas.
Professional Football Player. A native of Anderson, South Carolina, he attended the Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina, and then the Michigan State University. He was a Michigan State All-American and defensive football star at the University. Webster was once named "The greatest Spartan in MSU football history." He later played professionally for the American Football League's and the National Football League's Houston Oilers for five seasons, from 1967 to 1972. Webster also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1972 to 1973, and the New England Patriots from 1974 to 1976. He was named the UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year in 1967, and the AFL All-Star Game Defensive MVP in 1968. In 1989, he made headlines when he applied for disability benefits, but was denied. He was found not to have the use of most of his hand, foot, knee and ankle due to football-related injuries, but he did not meet the NFL's definition of totally disabled. In 1998, the United States Supreme Court let stand a finding by the NFL's retirement board that Webster's disability was not related to his football career. In 2002, he had his right leg amputated above the knee because the limb had little circulation despite four previous surgeries. He died in Houston, Texas.
Advertisement
See more Webster memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
