New Orleans Saints Quarterback Billy Kilmer
Originally drafted by San Francisco in 1961 as a tailback,
Kilmer's career looked promising rushing for 10 Td's in his
rookie year and alternating in and out at quarterback.
Then at the end of the 1962 season, he was involved in a near
fatal car accident where doctors seriously considered amputating
his injured leg. He missed the '64 season and was never more than
a back-up when the Saints took him in the expansion draft in
1967. Even then he was expected to be only a backup to starters
Gary Wood and Gary Cuozzo.
By 1968 though, Kilmer, the fiery, hardnosed leader of the early
Saints, emerged as the undisputed starter. His on-field exploits
(as well as his off-field) remain legend. His 6 td passes against
St. Louis in 1969 are still a team record.
Even after leaving New Orleans in 1971, Kilmer proved his best
days were still ahead. In 8 seasons at Washington, 5 were playoff
appearances-including a Super Bowl in 1972.
