Roger Wehrli

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Full Name: Roger Russel Wehrli Primary Position: CB/S Height/Weight: 6' 1"/192 College: University of Missouri Birthdate: November 26, 1947 High School: King City (MO) Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri Pro Experience: 14 years

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[edit] Biography

Roger Wehrli (Roger Russel Wehrli) was born on November 26, 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri. After going to high school at King City (MO), Wehrli attended the University of Missouri. Wehrli made his professional debut in the NFL in 1969 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals for his entire 14 year career.

Most people believe that 1975 was Roger Wehrli's best year, as he picked off 6 passes and recovered 3 opponents fumbles.

Roger Wehrli (born November 26, 1947) is a Hall of Fame NFL cornerback who played his entire 14-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Said to be the origin of the term "shutdown corner," he was a seven-time Pro Bowler after playing college football at the University of Missouri, where he was a consensus All-American and a first-round draft choice by the Cardinals in 1969.

[edit] High School

Dan Devine recruited Wehrli to Mizzou from King City, MO, where he played high-school football for the Wildkats.

[edit] College career

Missouri's Roger Wehrli was a fast, hard-hitting defender who had a quick first step to the football. A gifted athlete who was assigned to defense by Missouri coach Dan Devine. Despite playing on defense, Wehrli was still able to get his hands on the ball often enough to be an offensive threat. Wehrli was a two-time All-Big 8 player and was the Big 8 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. That same year, he was a unanimous All-America selection.

Roger had ten career interceptions with seven coming in his senior season. He also returned both kickoffs and punts. In 1968, his 40 punt returns and 12-yard return average led the nation. To finish of an 8-3 season, Wehrli had a decisive interception to help lead the Missouri to a 35-10 victory over the University of Alabama in the Gator Bowl.

At the time of his College Hall of Fame induction he held school records for career punt returns, punt return yards in a game, season, and career. He played in the Senior Bowl and was named to the 50-year Anniversary All-Senior Bowl team. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003. In 1990 was voted to be a charter member of the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.

[edit] NFL career

According to observers thing that jumped out about Wehrli is his speed. Reportely scheduled to be third-rounder, and then in full pads ran a 4.5 forty for NFL scouts and jumped to the first round. Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach has called Wehrli the best cornerback he played against, and claims that the term "shutdown corner" originated as a description of Wehrli.

In his career, Wehrli had 40 career interceptions for 309 yards and recovered 19 fumbles. He was also elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. When voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame he just the second Missouri player to be elected, joining former tight end Kellen Winslow, who was enshrined in 1995.

An All-Rookie choice in 1969, Wehrli was voted All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) in 1970 and was a consensus All-NFC selection including being voted to the Pro Bowl. (The NEA poll was the "player's All-Pro team" since it was the only All-Pro team at the time that was voted on by the players.) In 1971, Wehrli was 2nd Team All-pro by the NEA and again was a consensus All-NFC choice and was selected to his second Pro Bowl. In 1972 Wehrli was moved to safely by the Cardinals coaching staff where he played along side Hall of Famer Larry Wilson. He returned to right cornerback in 1973.

In 1974 Wherli was again All-pro by NEA and 2nd team All-Pro by the AP and PFRA. He made his third Pro Bowl and was a consensus All-NFC selection. The following year, 1975 though 1977, he was a consensus All-pro and consessus All-NFC player and a Pro Bowler. In 1978 Wherli's only post-season honor was being honorable mention All-NFC by UPI as his Cardinal team struggled under new coach Bud Wilkinson. In 1979 Wherli had a fine season and was a consensus All-NFC pick and made his severnth Pro Bowl.

In his 14 seasons, Wehrli played in 193 games. In addition to his starting defensive back duties, he was the holder on the place-kicks. In that role he scored a touchdown in 1982 on a fake field goal.

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