John Wilbur obit

Redskins Say Goodbye To John Wilbur

 

He was not on the list.

On Dec. 9, 2013, former Washington Redskins offensive guard John Wilbur passed away at the age of 70 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Brought to Washington on Jan. 28, 1971, Wilbur was a member of the fabled 'Over The Hill Gang,' and started in Super Bowl VII vs. the Miami Dolphins.

Wilbur's nine-year NFL career spanned 101 games, including 43 games with the Redskins. He also spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys.

His career ended after just game in 1974, as he moved to Hawaii to end his playing career in the World Football League before transitioning into coaching at the University of Hawaii.

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen expressed his condolences on behalf of the organization.

"John was a charter member of the Washington Redskins' Over the Hill Gang and a very loyal and dear friend to all of us.

"His intelligence and unique view of life and sports made him an unforgettable person in all of our lives. We wish his great family a warm, Aloha."

John Wilbur is survived by daughters Dione and Lindsea, son Nathan and four grandchildren.

Wilbur was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round (45th overall) of the 1965 AFL Draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over. In 1966, he chose to sign with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 1966. As a rookie, he quit training camp and had to be convinced to come back. He was tried at guard. defensive end and offensive tackle. He played mainly as the wedge-buster on special teams and as backup offensive tackle.

He was a part of the 1967 NFL Championship Game famously known as "The Ice Bowl". In 1968, he became the starter at right guard when Leon Donohue didn't recover from offseason surgery and was placed on the injured reserve list.

Blocking for quarterback Don Meredith and playing with Peter Gent, Wilbur was an anti-hero, outspoken against the "racists elements" on the team and in the city. Part of the "Wild Rebel Bunch" contingency (along with Gent and Meredith), he infamously organized a group of Cowboys to be security guards at the Texas International Pop Festival. He was also a Player Representative in the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) for the Cowboys.

On June 5, 1970, he was initially traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for a third round draft choice (#69-Sam Scarber), but after threatening to retire, the Cardinals traded him to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for guard Mike Lahood. He was replaced by Blaine Nye, who was moved from defensive tackle to offensive guard.

Wilbur reunited with Allen and became a starter at right guard with the Washington Redskins from 1971 to 1973. He helped the team reach Super Bowl VII against the Miami Dolphins. He is credited with being one of the first players to sew the sleeves of his jerseys tight, later adopted by the League.

In 1972, Nixon was on his way up and the Vietnam War was raging. Wilbur was one of the Redskins players to support George McGovern and his anti-war platform. He became good friends with both McGovern and a young reporter, Hunter S. Thompson, who would later write Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72. He also was named the treasurer for the NFLPA.

In 1974, just before the NFLPA lockout concerning binding arbitration for salary disputes, Wilbur left the NFL to play for the Hawaiians of the World Football League. The next year, he was a player/coach on the offensive line.

 

Career history

Dallas Cowboys (1966–1969)

Los Angeles Rams (1970)

Washington Redskins (1971–1974)

The Hawaiians (WFL) (1974–1975)

Philadelphia Eagles (1976)*

 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only