The Roanoker - November/December 2016 - 16

THE GIST

New Biography on "Bullet Bill" Dudley
The new book on Dudley has a unique perspective, as it was written by his son-in-law.

Left: Stinson's new book contains a special insight to the man he knows as his father-in-law. Right: On the way to the rushing title in 1946.

RELEASED IN AUGUST by Lyons Press/
Taylor Trade Publishing, "Bullet Bill Dudley: The Greatest 60-Minute Man in Football" chronicles the man behind the legend,
as well as Dudley's commitment to his family and community.
Steve Stinson is not only the author of
Bill Dudley's biography, but also his sonin-law, which gave him a unique perspective
on such a story. In 2007, three years before
Dudley passed, he asked Stinson to write his
life story. Stinson found his father-in-law to
be too formal in an interview setting however, realizing the best stories came in a more
laid-back setting such as driving together.
After Dudley passed, it wouldn't be until
2014 that Stinson received a book contract
and picked up where he left off. He completed the book in the summer and fall of
2015 after extensive research.
Stinson's book covers the arc of Bill Dudley's life, using the big events of his life as
stepping stones from beginning to end.
Readers learn about Dudley's high school
16 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

years in Bluefield, college at the University
of Virginia, the NFL years, and his World
War II experiences.
The second half of the book covers Dudley's career in Virginia politics, tenure as
president of the NFL Alumni Association,
and his family and business life.
Stinson's wife ransacked her parents' attic,
discovering a trove of files. In addition, news
clippings at the Virginia History Museum,
as well as old books, newspapers, miscellaneous publications, and telephone interviews came together to help Stinson with
his research. He also watched a lot of old
game film footage.
"It is an endlessly inspiring story," Stinson says. "By any measure, Bill was too
small and too slow to play football at any
level, but he ended up in two halls of fame.
He made himself good at so many things
on the football field that he made himself
indispensable. He was, as one man I interviewed put it, 'the most determined sonofabitch I ever saw.' He lived in a world he

made-he defined what success meant to him
and didn't care what anybody else's definition might be."
"Bullet Bill" Dudley's stats are overwhelming. He was first-team All-American
with the University of Virginia in 1941. He
played in the NFL from 1942-1953, racking
up a number of records that will most likely
never be broken (such as the only "Quadruple Crown" in pro football, leading the
league in rushing, punt returns, interceptions and lateral passes). NFL MVP in 1946
and defensive player of the year in '47, Dudley led every team he played for in scoring.
He played in the NFL for nine seasons,
though World War II kept him off the field
for three years. He even played on a Major
League baseball exhibition team while serving in the Pacific.
Dudley didn't slow down after leaving the
NFL; he was president of the Alumni Association for 12 years; introduced the gold
jacket into the NFL Hall of Fame induction
ceremony; and was also a member of the
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The Roanoker - November/December 2016

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