Roger Wehrli - Notes 'n Quotes

Hall of Famers Published on : 1/1/2005

Notes...

Wehrli is first Cardinals player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame since Dierdorf in 1996.

 Named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s.

 Roger scored a touchdown on a fake field goal in the final regular season game of his career.  The score helped the Cardinals earn a playoff berth that day.

 After 12 seasons as right cornerback, Wehrli switched to the left side. In his first start at the other corner, he broke up two passes and made four tackles as the Cards shutout the Buffalo Bills, 24-0.

 Scored two touchdowns on interception returns.  His came on a 53-yard return against the Washington Redskins (QB Sonny Jurgensen) in 1974.  His other one occurred on the opening play of the second half, a nine-yard return, of a game against the Minnesota Vikings in 1979.

 Recovered team record 19 fumbles in his career.

Named All-NFL five times.

Quotes:

“It’s wonderful for me, but I think it’s great for the Cardinals fans that are still in St. Louis. It’s amazing when you go to a function to see how many Cardinals fans that are still here and say ‘Go Big Red!’ and they really remember the days the Cardinals were in St. Louis.” – Roger Wehrli

“After a while, you just stopped challenging him. There was no point to it. He was the best cornerback I played against. The term ‘Shutdown Corner’ originated with Roger Wehrli.  There wasn’t a better cornerback I played against. He was a great, great defensive back. You had to be aware of him all the time.” – Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach

“I have never seen anyone with more determination to succeed.” – Former Cardinals coach Don Coryell

“He was a true student of the game. Watching Roger on film was a lesson in textbook cornerback play.” – Hall of Famer Larry Wilson, a former teammate who will present Roger at his enshrinement