Linebacker, Houston
Oilers
Age: 22 (Nov.
25)
College: Michigan
State
Height: 6’4” Weight: 223
Prelude:
Webster was a
“rover back” in college, playing a combination of linebacker and defensive back
due to his speed and strength. He excelled, achieving All-America recognition
in 1965 and ’66. Chosen by the Oilers in the first round of the combined
AFL/NFL draft (fifth overall), Webster moved directly into the starting lineup
at left outside linebacker, where he had an immediate impact for a dramatically
improved defensive unit.
1967 Season Summary
Appeared in
all 14 games
[Bracketed
numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]
Sacks – N/A
Interceptions
– 1
Int. return
yards – 23
Int. return
TDs – 0
Fumble
recoveries – 1
Tackles – 140
(estimated)
Postseason: 1 G (AFL Championship at Oakland)
Sacks – 1
(unofficial)
Interceptions
– 0
TD – 0
Awards &
Honors:
AFL Rookie of
the Year: UPI
1st
team All-AFL: AP, UPI, NEA, NY Daily News
1st
team All-Western Division: Sporting News
AFL All-Star
Game
Oilers went 9-4-1
to finish first in the AFL Eastern Division while leading the league in fewest
points (199) and touchdowns (17) allowed. Lost AFL Championship to Oakland
Raiders (40-7).
Aftermath:
Webster was a
consensus first-team All-AFL selection and AFL All-Star again in 1968 and ’69. A
knee injury caused him to miss half the season in 1970 and limited his
effectiveness in ’71. Webster was traded to Pittsburgh during the 1972 season,
where he provided depth to a talented linebacking corps, and moved on to the Patriots
in ’74, where he returned to the starting lineup and showed flashes of his
early form. However, another knee injury in 1975 derailed the comeback and his
career ended following the ’76 season. Overall, he played for ten years, and
was at his best during his first three years when he was considered to be a
premier outside linebacker before injuries took their toll. He was named to the
All-Time AFL team that was selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
--
Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie
of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by
a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper
Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the
league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).
