Highlighted Year: Willie Buchanon, 1978

Cornerback, Green Bay Packers

Age: 28 (Nov. 4)

7^th season in pro football & with Packers

College: San Diego State

Height: 6’0”   Weight: 190

Prelude:

Following a college career that was capped by receiving All-America honors and being named MVP of the East-West Shrine Game, Buchanon was taken by the Packers in the first round of the 1972 NFL draft (seventh overall) and moved directly into the starting lineup. He combined with Ken Ellis to create a fast and effective cornerback tandem and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and NFC Rookie of the Year by the NEA. Buchanon suffered a broken leg six games into the 1973 season that cost him the remainder of the year but he still received Pro Bowl recognition. He was chosen again in ’74 but once again broke his leg two games into the 1975 season. Buchanon returned to spend two injury-free years with the Packers in 1976 and ’77 and intercepted four passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

1978 Season Summary

Appeared in all 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 9 [2, tied with Ken Stone, 1^st in NFC]

Most interceptions, game – 4 at San Diego 9/24

Int. return yards – 93 [20]

Most int. return yards, game – 77 (on 4 int.) at San Diego 9/24

Int. TDs – 1 [4, tied with many others]

Fumble recoveries – 1

Scoring

TDs – 1

Points – 6

Awards & Honors:

1^st team All-NFL: AP, PFWA, Pro Football Weekly

2^nd team All-NFL: NEA

1^st team All-NFC: UPI, Pro Football Weekly, Sporting News

Pro Bowl

Packers went 8-7-1 to finish second in the NFC Central, their first season with a winning record in six years. 

Aftermath:

Having played out his option, Buchanon moved on to San Diego in 1979 where he was reunited with his college coach, Don Coryell. He played four seasons for the Chargers, until 1982, and retired with a total of 28 interceptions (21 of them with the Packers). Buchanon was named to a total of three Pro Bowls and received All-NFL honors once.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating

Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)

Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)

All-Purpose: Total Yards

Defense: Interceptions, Sacks

Kickoff Returns: Average

Punt Returns: Average

Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970