November 23, 2016

Highlighted Year: Billie Hayes, 1975

Cornerback, San Antonio Wings



Age: 28
3rd season in pro football, 2nd in WFL & 1st with Wings
College: San Diego State
Height: 6’1”   Weight: 181

Prelude:
Hayes transferred from Riverside Junior College and received first-team All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association honors as part of the San Diego State team that went 11-0 in 1969. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL draft but failed to make the club. He also failed to catch on with the Rams in ’71 and his only NFL experience came with the New Orleans Saints in 1972, where he was a backup and had no interceptions. Hayes signed with the Florida Blazers of the WFL in 1974 and moved into the starting lineup, intercepting six passes. His contract was purchased by the new San Antonio club, which was the successor franchise to the Blazers.

1975 Season Summary
Appeared in all 13 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Interceptions – 6 [1, tied with Leon Jenkins]
Int. return yards – 115 [4]
Int. TDs – 0
Sacks – 0
Fumble recoveries – 1
Tackles – 33
Assists – 19

Wings went 7-6 and were second in the WFL Western Division when the league folded. They led the league in interceptions (27).

Aftermath:
The demise of the WFL effectively marked the end of Hayes’ career. In his two WFL seasons, which were his most significant as a pro, he intercepted 12 passes that he returned for 220 yards.

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Highlighted Years features players who were consensus first-team All-League* selections or league* or conference** leaders in the following statistical categories:

Rushing: Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Passing: Yards, Completion Pct., Yards per Attempt, TDs, Rating
Receiving: Catches, Yards, TDs (min. 10)
Scoring: TDs, Points, Field Goals (min. 5)
All-Purpose: Total Yards
Defense: Interceptions, Sacks
Kickoff Returns: Average
Punt Returns: Average
Punting: Average

*Leagues include NFL (1920 to date), AFL (1926), AFL (1936-37), AAFC (1946-49), AFL (1960-69), WFL (1974-75), USFL (1983-85)

**NFC/AFC since 1970