“The term ‘Shutdown Corner’ originated with Roger Wehrli.
There wasn’t a better cornerback I played against.”
-Roger Staubach
There are few NFL players that hail from Missouri that have won as many honors as Roger Wehrli. Although he grew up in an area not known for big-time sports names, he made an impact on the sport from college through the pro ranks. His career was so impactful that he was named a member of the NFL Team of the Decade of the 1970’s.
Roger Wehrli was born November 26, 1947 and spent his early years in the tiny town of New Point, Missouri near the borders of Iowa and Nebraska. His family moved to King City where he played several high school sports but excelled in football. It was on the high school fields in far northwest Missouri where he got the attention of Mizzou coaches who took a risk on the small school standout that set the stage for his success.
University of Missouri coach Dan Devine took notice of Wehrli during his high school playing days and offered him a scholarship when he graduated in 1965. He became a star for the Tigers where he was named an All-Big 8 player twice, along with being named an All-American. His senior season was capped with a victory of the University of Alabama in the Gator Bowl. He played in the Hula and Senior Bowls, while also getting the honor of playing in the Coach’s All-Star Game in his final collegiate year, which showed that he displayed a great deal of character.
His success in college quickly translated into a successful professional career. The St. Louis Cardinals chose him as their first-round draft pick in 1969. Although the Cardinals struggled during his years with the club, he was a bright spot annually. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times and honored as a five-time First Team All-Pro award. Ever the true Missourian, the St. Louis Cardinals were the only professional team he ever played for, retiring in 1982.
Wehrli’s greatness was further cemented after his playing career was over. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also named to the College Football Hall of Fame and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
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