Hall of Fame
Position: Defensive Tackle
Years: 1981-1983
Place of Birth: Norfolk, VA
Date of Birth: Mar 08, 1962
Jersey Number: 95
Height: 6-4"
Weight: 250
High School: Indian River High School (Chesapeake, VA)
Using his tremendous quickness to slice through offensive lines, William Fuller is one of just six North Carolina players to twice earn First-Team All-America honors. He becomes the fifth Tar Heel player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
A consensus First Team All-American in 1983, Fuller owns the school record with 57 career tackles for loss and set a then school-record for single-season tackles for loss with 22 in both 1981 and 1983. The two-time Outland Trophy finalist led the Tar Heels to three consecutive bowl berths, including wins in the 1981 Gator Bowl and 1982 Sun Bowl. Fuller was the only unanimous choice on the 1983 All-ACC team, and he is one of just three defensive linemen ever to make All-ACC for three straight years. A team captain as a senior, he finished his career with 225 tackles and 20 sacks, and he earned invitations to both the Hula Bowl and the Japan Bowl. Fuller was one of just two defensive linemen named to the ACC Silver Anniversary Team, and his No. 95 has been retired by UNC.
Fuller was selected in the first round of the NFL Supplemental Draft, but he chose to start his pro career with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL. He led the Stars to consecutive league championships before moving to the NFL, where he played 13 seasons with the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers. A member of the All-Time USFL Team, Fuller was a four-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl selection
A noted philanthropist, Fuller hosts the William Fuller Golf Tournament to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, which has raised nearly $5 million for the organization. He is also involved in the United Way, Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, Philadelphia Services for the Blind and the Boys’ Club of America. Fuller endowed a football scholarship at UNC, and he has served on numerous boards, including Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and the Educational Foundation at UNC. He currently serves as manager at Fuller Consulting Group, LLC, in Virginia.
