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Today on Ole Ricky Redskins story time about Redskins of the past, Billy Kilmer is one of my old favorites. Was a ghost writer for him after his career. One night at dinner, Billy asked for a glass of ice and a beer. Yes, drank beer over ice. Yuck. And not just one. 1/
Billy was actually a running back and a damn good one. Gained almost 1,000 yards his first two years. Remember that famous play of Vikings Jim Marshall recovering a fumble and running 66 yards into the wrong end zone? That was Kilmer's fumble. 2/
Billy was in a bad car accident - drove into the San Francisco Bay - to miss 1963 with a broken leg. He worked that year in his father's dry cleaning business. Billy told me it was such brutal hot work he vowed to make it back to football. 3/
Billy's dad invested most of the passer's NFL money in Florida real estate. Billy never needed a job after football because of it. Spends most of his time playing golf.
Billy forced his way out of 49ers in a contract dispute by being put into expansion draft. Taken by Saints where he played four seasons. He was then traded to Redskins in 1971 where he was supposed to be Sonny's backup. But Sonny was hurt early in season and Billy stared 5-0.
Billy and Sonny were a team, as close as teammates get. Remember the I like Sonny/Billy bumper stickers? The two drove around the beltway looking for them. If it said Billy, Sonny pulled alongside driver to gesture at him. Same when it said Sonny and Billy leaned out the window.
Joe Theismann's 1974 arrival really bonded Billy/Sonny against the rook, who supposedly told them he would be the starter over them. Oh, they hated that and worked against Joe. It was a long-held grudge. And, I think it's why many fans unfairly don't give Joe due credit.
Oh, Joe eventually started in 1978, but only after Billy and Sonny were exhausted by age and coach Allen was gone.
Billy and Sonny have stayed close throughout the years. They were at a game together a year or two back. Both live in Florida now, though on opposite coasts. Thing I'll remember most about Billy is he was a regular guy. Great to have a beer or two with him.
Tune in tomorrow when I'll talk Sonny, my boyhood hero and one of great perks of my life to know covering the team.
