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Billy Neighbors

Tackle

Inducted 2003

Date of Birth

2/4/1940

Birthplace

Tuscaloosa, AL

School

University of Alabama (1959-1961)

Bio

When Billy Neighbors was recruited to play at Alabama, Coach Bear Bryant promised that if he would stick it out for four years he would be a part of a national championship. Neighbors was only one of nine freshman out of 108 that managed to "stick it out." But Bryant made true on his promise wining the national title in 1961. Neighbors was a principal reason that the Tide won the championship that season. He was part of a defense that only allowed 25 points over an entire season. They shut out six opponents and never gave up more than seven points in any game. The national championship capped Neighbors' career in which he was never part of a team that finished outside the nation's top ten. In 1961, Billy became an All-Conference and consensus All-America selection. He was also named the top lineman in the SEC and was named the Most Valuable Player in the Senior Bowl. In the pros, Billy played for both the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins in an eight-season career.