Willie Gault is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Chicago Bears and the Los Angeles Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on September 5, 1960, in Griffin, Georgia, and attended the University of Tennessee, where he was a standout track and field athlete as well as a football player.
Gault was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league's fastest and most explosive receivers. He was a key member of the Bears' dominant defense in the mid-1980s, which won Super Bowl XX in 1986. Gault's speed and agility made him a dangerous deep threat, and he was also a reliable target on shorter routes.
In his seven seasons with the Bears, Gault caught 333 passes for 6,635 yards and 44 touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and was a key contributor to the Bears' Super Bowl victory that season. Gault's speed and athleticism also made him a valuable kick returner, and he returned 45 kickoffs for 1,088 yards and one touchdown during his time in Chicago.
After the 1988 season, Gault was traded to the Raiders, where he continued to be a productive receiver. In his five seasons with the team, he caught 191 passes for 3,833 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also returned 38 kickoffs for 1,008 yards and one touchdown.
Gault retired from the NFL after the 1993 season, having played in 163 games and caught 634 passes for 10,911 yards and 44 touchdowns. He also returned 83 kickoffs for 2,096 yards and two touchdowns. Gault's speed and athleticism made him one of the most exciting players of his era, and he remains a beloved figure among Bears and Raiders fans.
After his playing career, Gault became a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He founded several companies, including a sports nutrition company and a technology firm. He also became a competitive bobsledder, representing the United States in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.
Gault's football career was marked by his incredible speed and athleticism, which made him a feared deep threat and a dangerous kick returner. He was a key member of the Bears' dominant defense in the mid-1980s and played a significant role in the team's Super Bowl victory in 1986. Gault's contributions to the Raiders were also significant, and he remains one of the most exciting players in the history of both franchises.
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