Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1962 to 1969), he played at the right-guard position in the American Football League with the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Born William Wesley Neighbors, he made his initial mark playing football at Tuscaloosa County High School (Alabama) and continued his athletics at the University of Alabama. While with the Crimson Tide, he distinguished himself as he earned consensus All-American and All-Conference honors, in addition to being named SEC Top Lineman and MVP of the Senior Bowl. Neighbors concluded his collegiate career as a key contributor to Paul 'Bear' Bryant's first national championship team in 1961. Selected by Boston during the 6th round of the 1962 AFL Draft, he appeared in 112 regular season games, receiving Pro-Bowl honors in 1963 and All-Pro status in 1964. Neighbors has the distinction of being on the Miami Dolphins' roster during their inaugural year of 1966. Following his football career, he became a successful stock broker. He was enshrined into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He was named to the Boston/New England Patriots 10th Anniversary team and their 1960s All-Decade squad. He died following a heart attack.
Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1962 to 1969), he played at the right-guard position in the American Football League with the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins. Born William Wesley Neighbors, he made his initial mark playing football at Tuscaloosa County High School (Alabama) and continued his athletics at the University of Alabama. While with the Crimson Tide, he distinguished himself as he earned consensus All-American and All-Conference honors, in addition to being named SEC Top Lineman and MVP of the Senior Bowl. Neighbors concluded his collegiate career as a key contributor to Paul 'Bear' Bryant's first national championship team in 1961. Selected by Boston during the 6th round of the 1962 AFL Draft, he appeared in 112 regular season games, receiving Pro-Bowl honors in 1963 and All-Pro status in 1964. Neighbors has the distinction of being on the Miami Dolphins' roster during their inaugural year of 1966. Following his football career, he became a successful stock broker. He was enshrined into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1983 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He was named to the Boston/New England Patriots 10th Anniversary team and their 1960s All-Decade squad. He died following a heart attack.
Bio by: C.S.
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