In 1997 Dallas Cowboys Special Teams Captain Bill Bates finished his fifteenth successful season in the NFL. A member of the 1992, 1993 & 1995 Super Bowl Champion teams, Bill has been a long time favorite of Cowboy fans. He was named the winner of the Bob Lilly Award four years in a row, from 1990 - 1994. This award is selected by a vote of the fans and annually goes to the Cowboy player who displays leadership and character on and off the field. The 1993 season had seen him return from a disabling knee injury that prematurely ended his 1992 season.
After the 1993 season Bill Bates was selected by his teammates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award for successfully overcoming his injury. In 1995 Bill was named by the fans and his teammates the “Unsung Hero” award, which is given to one player from each NFL team. He has also been the recipient of the Dallas All Sports Association Courage Award.
Bill Bates has been a perennial selection for the All-Madden Team. Along with being on the Madden/Summerall “ALL DALLAS COWBOY TEAM”, Bill has subsequently in 1999 been inducted to the Madden Hall of Fame. Starting with six years playing for legendary coach Tom Landry, Bill was an inspirational team leader and he exemplified the qualities of perseverance and dedication every time he stepped onto the field.
Prior to the 1990 season, Jimmy Johnson tabbed Bill as the Cowboy’s special teams captain. Also, as Barry Switzer took over he made sure his role would remain the same and held the position for Coach Switzer’s five year tenor. Bill along with Ed “Too Tall” Jones shares the NFL record of playing 15 years for the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. He was a very visible member of the Dallas nickel defense at the middle linebacker position. His last minute interception at Chicago’s Soldier Field preserved Dallas’ 17 - 13 win in the team’s triumphant return to the playoffs after a six year absence, and will surely go down as one of the big plays in the re-building of the Dallas Cowboys.
Bill Bates was one of only a handful of Dallas players who had previous post-season experience as a Cowboy. One of the NFL’s true success stories, Bill has overcome the odds his entire career, starting in 1983 when he made the team as a long shot free agent rookie. Bill immediately becomes a visible figure on the field with his ferocious special teams play. It was Bates’ notoriety that helped propel the NFL into adding a spot on the Pro-Bowl teams for specials teams’ coverage players. In 1984 he became the first NFC player so honored.
In college, Bill was four-year starting safety at Tennessee. He was named second-team All-Southern Conference his junior and senior seasons. Recently he was awarded a position on the 100 Year All Tennessee Team. Bates developed a reputation as the Vol’s hardest hitter and surest tackler. He intercepted nine passes and recovered six fumbles in his career.
Bill Bates and his wife, Denise, are very involved with civic organizations. They have served as the Chairpersons for the March of Dimes “Blue Jeans for Babies” campaign for healthier babies. Bill has chaired the Bank One “Spirit of Christmas” campaign, which provides gifts for abused and needy children. Bill has headed the Wednesday’s Child golf tournament scince 1983 benefiting homeless children. He also has donated his time and energy to various other charitable organizations including: United Way, Children’s Medical Center, Scottish Rite Hospital, FCA, Campus Crusade and Young Life. In 1997, Bill has started his own organization to benefit children. The Bill Bates Foundation for Kids was created to financially assist critically ill children and their families. Bill was named “Best Dad in Dallas” in June 1994.
