Willie Ellison

William Henry Ellison (November 1, 1945 – March 11, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a running back for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football for the Texas Southern Tigers.

Early life Ellison was born on November 1, 1945, in Lockhart, Texas. He grew up in Lockhart, and attended Carver High School, where he played on the football team.

College football Ellison attended Texas Southern University (TSU), where he played on the football team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). He had a 1,000 rushing season at TSU, and held the school's all-time single-game rushing record when he graduated.

In 2009, he was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was inducted into the Texas Southern Hall of Fame.

Professional football The Los Angeles Rams selected Ellison in the second round of the 1967 NFL draft (33rd overall). He was 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 210 lb (95 kg), Ellison barely played on offense during his rookie season, though he did return 13 kickoffs for 340 yards. Ellison barely played (no starts, with only 20 rushing attempts and two kickoff returns). Ellison played more in 1970, with four starts, but still had only 90 rushing attempts and 10 receptions; though he did score five rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns.

On December 5, 1971, against the New Orleans Saints he rushed 26 times for 247 yards thus breaking Cookie Gilchrist's pro football record of 243 yards. The NFL record at the time was held by Jim Brown, who ran for 237 yards against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957. Ellison was subsequently named NFL Offensive Player of the Week by the Associated Press. The single game rushing record was broken two years later by O.J. Simpson, with 250 yards. As of 2025, Ellison's 247 yards ranks 17th for most rushing yards in a game; Adrien Peterson's 296 yards being the record.

In 1972, Ellison rushed for 764 yards in 170 attempts, and caught 23 passes for 141 yards. In 1973, Ellison only had 411 yards on 108 carries and in 1974, his final NFL season, Ellison started only two games, with 114 yards on 37 carries.

Death Ellison died in Houston on March 11, 2019, at the age of 73.