In 1969, Nelsen had another strong season, leading the Browns to a 10-3-1 record and a postseason berth, as well as being selected to his first and only Pro Bowl. By the end of the season, Nelsen had led the team to the playoffs, winning nine of his 11 starts. The trade wound up helping both teams, as within a month into the season, both Nelsen and Shiner were starting at quarterback for their new clubs.Īfter serving as Frank Ryan's backup for three games in 1968, Nelsen was elevated to the starting role, and quickly made his mark with a shocking 30-20 upset of the previously unbeaten Baltimore Colts on October 20. In return, the Pittsburgh Steelers received quarterback Dick Shiner, defensive tackle Frank Parker and an undisclosed draft choice. On May 14, 1968, Nelsen was traded, along with defensive back Jim Bradshaw, to the Browns. He missed the next four games, but came off the bench to engineer a 14-10 comeback victory over the expansion New Orleans Saints on October 29. Louis Cardinals, he was injured following a tackle by Chuck Walker. In 1967, the injuries continued for Nelsen when during the closing moments of the September 24 game against the St. In the season finale on December 18, he completed his final 11 passes to defeat the expansion Atlanta Falcons. The limited time on the field allowed him to set a league record for fewest interceptions (100 minimum passes) with just one on the campaign. Originally scheduled to be out of the lineup for six weeks, Nelsen did not return until the season's 12th week. The following season, Nelsen suffered a knee injury against the Detroit Lions in the season's second game. In the Novemgame against the Dallas Cowboys, Nelsen suffered a knee injury that plagued him the remainder of that year he underwent surgery after the season. However, the struggling team finished 2-12, offering him little help, with Nelsen throwing for eight touchdowns, in addition to 17 interceptions. In 1965, new head coach Mike Nixon gave Nelsen the starting job. ![]() Nelsen was drafted in the 10th round of the 1963 NFL Draft by the Steelers, but saw limited action during his first two seasons. In 1962, he split time at the position with Pete Beathard, helping the team capture the national championship. College career Īfter playing one season of community college ball at Cerritos College in California, Nelsen moved on to USC, where he was a key player during his first two seasons, leading the squad in total offense in both 19. He later served as an assistant coach with four NFL teams. He was known for his leadership and willingness to play with pain, enduring a series of knee injuries during the course of his career. He played college football for the University of Southern California before playing professionally for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. William Keith Nelsen (Janu– April 11, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL).
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