Gerald Willhite was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft. He played for the Broncos from 1982 to 1988. In those 7 seasons, Gerald started 21 of 78 games. He ran for 1,688 yards and 17 touchdowns on 380 carries, a 4.4 average. Willhite also caught 207 passes for 1,767 yards and 5 touchdowns. On Special Teams, he returned 101 punts for 1,012 yards and one touchdown, a 10.0 average and returned 26 kickoffs for a 20.0 average. Head coach Dan Reeves liked to use Willhite on the occasional trick play and the halfback option pass was a play that Reeves brought over from his playing days with the Cowboys. Gerald didn’t fare too well in that capacity though, as he only had 2 completions in 13 attempts, including an interception.
Back in May of 2011, former Mile High Report staffer Krik Davis wrote that about Gerald Willhite as part of MHR’s Greatest to Wear Series. Remember, until Terrell Davis, the Broncos were always looking for that workhorse running back to pair with John Elway. Gerald was supposed to be that guy… and he could return kickoffs!
Unfortunately, despite the 1st round expectations, Gerald wasn’t able to live up to those expectations. He was a contributor, but was most underappreciated for what he brought to the game (and the fans) when he scored.
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Long befor the antics of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco, there was Gerald.He was ahead of his time with his signature touchdown celebration – a standing backflip. For me, a child of the 1980’s, I grew up with my mother literally squealing with excitement every time he did it. Then, I also remember her total disgust with the NFL for cracking down on it it starting in 1984, making the celebration an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Yes, the NFL literally stole joy from my mother.
Denver was just a few years removed from their Super Bowl run in 1977 and a young John Elway arrived in Willhite’s second year. While he went to just one of the Broncos three nightmarish Super Bowls in the 1980’s, he was a cornerstone of Denver’s offense while John Elway got his NFL legs underneath him… and he could return kicks!
A hearty Mile High Salute to unheralded Denver Bronco, Gerald Willhite.
