Willis Clarence Crenshaw Jr. (July 16, 1941 – October 20, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1970. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats."Willis Crenshaw" at Pro Football Reference.com.
High school and college career Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 16, 1941, Crenshaw played for Soldan High School and Kansas State University, where he started out at wide receiver and was a star player;"The Top 100 St. Louis Football Cardinals (90-81): 88. Willis Crenshaw (RB)", The Big Red Zone, August 14, 2019."Willis Crenshaw", College Football at Sports Reference.com. played in the 1963 College All Star Football Game."Crenshaw Defies Odds to Reach NFL", Kansas State University Athletics, September 3, 2013. In high school, his main sport was pole vaulting, with a personal best of ; he started out with a double scholarship at Kansas State, where he recalled being one of approximately 50 Black students, before focusing on football after weight training.
Professional career St Louis Cardinals Crenshaw was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round in 1963 NFL draft. In 1968, he led the team in rushing with 813 yds and touchdowns (7).
Denver Broncos In 1970, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a third-round draft pick; he played one season,Brian Shrout, "Do The Broncos Shuffle: Draft Related Trades During Denver's First Two Decades", Mile High Report, April 18, 2011.CaptainKirk, "Denver Broncos Greats... By The Numbers: #33", Mile High Report, April 21, 2011. although he was listed for the 1971 season.1971 Denver Broncos media guide, p. 16.
NFL career statistics Legend Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1964 STL 14 3 60 297 5.0 49 1 8 58 7.3 19 0 1965 STL 14 10 127 437 3.4 27 0 23 232 10.1 78 1 1966 STL 14 7 94 360 3.8 33 0 15 46 3.1 19 0 1967 STL 14 1 44 149 3.4 23 0 6 30 5.0 12 0 1968 STL 14 14 203 813 4.0 66 6 23 232 10.1 42 1 1969 STL 14 5 55 172 3.1 26 3 11 94 8.5 31 0 1970 DEN 12 12 69 200 2.9 25 5 18 105 5.8 35 1 96 52 652 2,428 3.7 66 15 104 797 7.7 78 3
Later life and death Crenshaw later worked selling life insurance, for Monsanto, and as a financial planner. He died on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84.
References
External links Willis Crenshaw at John Troan's Pro Players database, updated April 21, 2018.