Willie Roaf
New Orleans Saints, Offensive Lineman
Height: 6’5’’
Weight: 320 lbs
College: Louisiana Tech
Hometown: Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- NFL 1990s and 2000s ALL-Decade teams
- Most Awarded player in Saints history
- 11 time Pro Bowl Selection
- 6 time Associated Press 1st Team All-Pro Selection
- 3 time Associated Press 2nd Team All-Pro Selection
- Inducted to the Sports Hall of Fame for Arkansas (2007), Louisiana (2009) and the New Orleans Saints (2008)
Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, few could have guessed the success that Willie would one day have as an NFL player. After being lightly recruited out of high school and even considering playing basketball in college, Willie decided to pursue his football career at Louisiana Tech. Willie’s college football career would take off and culminate with being a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the best offensive lineman in college, in his senior year.
In the first round of the 1993 draft, with the 8th overall pick, the New Orleans Saints drafted offensive lineman Willie Roaf. It was a decision that would lead to a nine year career with the Saints where Willie made seven Pro Bowl teams, three First-team All-Pro selections, two Second-team All-Pro selections, and six All-Conference teams. These selections would make Willie the most awarded player in Saints franchise history.
In 2002, Willie was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs after a season ending injury with the Saints in 2001. For the Chiefs, Willie would make four more Pro Bowl teams, three First-team All-Pro selections, one Second-team All-Pro selection, and two All-Conference teams. In addition to those accomplishments, Willie would later be named to the NFL’s 1990’s and 2000’s All-Decade Teams. Following Willie’s retirement from the game in 2005, he was inducted into the Arkansas (2007), New Orleans Saints (2008) and Louisiana (2009) sports hall of fames.
Beyond the scope of football, Willie has never forgotten that with great success comes great responsibility. Willie has embraced this philosophy throughout his NFL career and beyond. After his retirement from the game in 2005, Willie now donates much of his time and money to great causes. Most recently, Willie gave back to the community that made him such a success, New Orleans, by giving the basketball team at KIPP Renaissance High School new basketball shoes for their upcoming season. Willie has also recently teamed up with Crocs Inc. and Feed the Children to provide food, personal hygiene essentials, and Crocs shoes to more than 400 children/families who attend Mays Prep, a Hurricane Katrina relief school.
Willie’s core values of a willingness to work hard and have compassion for those in need come directly from his parents, Clifton George Roaf and Andree Layton Roaf. In 1995, Mrs. Roaf was appointed to the Arkansas Supreme Court, making her the second woman and first African-American woman to fill a seat in this court. Following this, she was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 1996.
Charity websites that Willie Roaf has worked with:
Crocs Cares: www.Crocs.com or www.crocscares.com
Feed the Children: www.FeedTheChildren.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Willie-Roaf-Official/162097910492100
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/willie_roaf
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