Temple has a rich football history. But it dates back well before winning the school’s first state title in 1979. Growing up in Temple you are well versed in the history of Bob McQueen and Kenneth Davis. But did you realize that there are quite a few more Texas High School Football Hall of Famers that proudly wore that T on their helmet?
The first one I want to talk about is the one that is also enshrined in Canton (that’s the Pro Football Hall of Fame for those that don’t know). That is the one and only Bobby Dillon.
Dillon was born in 1930 on the family farm in Pendleton, Tx. He and his family would eventually move to Temple where he stared for the Wildcats.
Playing for coaches Les Cranfill and Ted Dawson where he led the Wildcats to a total record of 22-13-5. In his senior season with Temple, Bobby led the Wildcats to a 6-4 record (or 6-2-1 depending on the source) with a loss to the eventual 1948 AA State Champion Waco in front of 13,000 at Woodson Field in Temple in the district championship game.
Dillon went on to play with the University of Texas Longhorns where he would earn several honors including team captain. In 1951, he was named All-American and All-Southwest Conference. His career interception return yards of 190 stood as a UT record for 44 years. He ended his UT career with 13 interceptions before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers. He was also a part of the 1950 Southwest Conference Championship track and field team and was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor in 1972.
NFL – Green Bay Packers
Dillon was drafted by the Packers with the 28th overall pick in the 3rd round of the 1952 NFL Draft. He spent all 8 of his professional years with the Packers retiring with 52 interceptions in just 94 games.
In his rookie year, Dillon started all 12 games and recorded 4 interceptions. The next year he would up his total to 9, the highest of his career which he accomplished in 3 separate seasons (1953, 1955, 1957). In 1956 he led the league in interception return yards with 244. He would finish his career with 5 defensive touchdowns, 52 interceptions, 4 Pro Bowls, and 4 First-Team All-Pros.
Set to retire at the end of the 1958 season, the Packers new coach Vince Lombardi convinced Dillon to return for one last season in 1959. That was the only winning season Dillon played in the NFL. He sill holds the Packers record for career interceptions and return yards. He ranks 3rd in defensive touchdowns.
Lombardi was known as a hardline coach who did not budge with his rules, well usually. When he took over in 1959 he wanted Dillon back saying that he was, “irreplaceable at the time.” By August Dillon was convinced enough to return, until team business manager Jack Vainisi told him he had to pay a $100 fine for every day he had missed. Here is Dillon telling the story:
“I said, ‘thanks Jack,’ and hung up,” said Dillon. “About 20 minutes later, Lombardi called. He said, ‘I understand your position, but I have my rules.’ I said, ‘Fine, I’m just not going to do it.’ He said, ‘Wait a minute. You promise you’ll keep it quiet… I’ll give you a check for $4,500,’ or whatever it was. ‘It’ll be an expense check, but you’ve got to sign it back to the team, so I can say I fined you.’ Everybody always said Lombardi never compromised, but I know one time he did.”
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the Bobby Dillon story was he did all of this with only one eye. Following a few childhood accidents, Dillon lost his left eye at the age of 10. It was replaced by a glass eye leading to one of the all-time greatest comebacks. During one of his professional games his glass eye fell out. As Dillon went to pick it up, the referee jokingly asked what he would do if he lost his other eye. Dillon stated, “I’d be a referee.”
Dillon played during some of the worst times of the Packers history, including the worst record the team ever had in 1958 (1-10-1). All told his Packer teams went a combined 33-55-2 during his 8 seasons. This was one of the main reasons why his recognition did not come soon enough. He was heralded by his teammates and competitors during his playing career, the accolades came with some too late. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1974, but it took over 50 years of eligibility before it was announced in 2020 that Dillon would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The announcement was less than a year after Boddy Dillon passed away.
After retiring from football, Dillon returned to Temple where he worked for WilsonArt for 36 years. There he became President and Chief Executive Officer. He passed away on August 22, 2019 at the age of 89.
Bibliography
“Bobby Dillon.” Pro Football Reference, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DillBo00.htm.
Christi, Cliff. “Lombardi considered Bobby Dillon untouchable.” Green Bay Packers, https://www.packers.com/news/lombardi-considered-bobby-dillon-untouchable.
“Coaches Records by Seasons: D – Garrett.” Texas High School Football History, https://www.texashighschoolfootballhistory.com/coaches_records_–_co.
“Obituary: Bobby Dillon.” Dignity Memorial. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/temple-tx/bobby-dillon-9281771.
“Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Inductees: Bobby Dillon.” Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, https://www.texasfootball.com/hof-bobby-dillon.