Buchanon at MCB Camp Pendleton in 2011 | |||||||
| No. 28 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | November 4, 1950 Oceanside, California, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Oceanside (Oceanside, California) | ||||||
| College: | San Diego State | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
Willie James Buchanon (born November 4, 1950) is an American former football player who was a cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He was defensive rookie of the year in 1972 and a two-time Pro Bowl player.[1] He finished his career with his hometown San Diego Chargers, retiring with 28 career interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.
Buchanon was born and raised in Oceanside, California, where he was a graduate of Oceanside High School. He attended Mira Costa College,[2] where he was a Junior College All-American in 1969. Buchanon later played football and graduated from San Diego State University. He was voted the Most Valuable Player in the East-West Shrine Game of 1971. Sporting News named the San Diego State All-American to its All-Time collegiate team.
Willie Buchanon was selected by Green Bay in the first-round of the 1972 NFL draft, the 7th overall pick.[2] He was the 1972 NFL AP Defensive Rookie of the Year and a one-time All-Pro. In 1978, the Packers defensive back led the NFC with 9 interceptions,[1] including four on September 24, 1978 against the San Diego Chargers[3] that tied him for the still-standing NFL record for most interceptions in a game, first set by Sammy Baugh in 1943. Buchanon spent his last four pro years with the San Diego Chargers,[2] where he tied the NFL all-time record for most recoveries in a game in 1981.
Buchanon was named to the Green Bay Packers All-Time team, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame,[4] San Diego State Hall of Fame, San Diego Hall of Champions,[3] California State Junior College Hall of Fame and Oceanside High School Hall of Fame. He is now a realtor in San Diego.
Buchanon and his wife, Gwen, have two children: a daughter, Jenae, and a son, Will.[5] His son was a member of the 2003 and 2004 national championship teams with the University of Southern California Trojans, and later played in the NFL. Willie Buchanon lives in his hometown of Oceanside.[4]
