Willis Crenshaw

Willis Clarence Crenshaw Jr. (July 16, 1941 – October 20, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1970. He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 16, 1941, Crenshaw played for Soldan High School and Kansas State University, where he started out at wide receiver and was a star player; played in the 1963 College All Star Football Game. In high school, his main sport was pole vaulting, with a personal best of 13 feet 2 inches (4.01 m); he started out with a double scholarship at Kansas State, where he recalled being one of approximately 50 Black students, before focusing on football after weight training.

Crenshaw was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round in 1963 NFL draft. In 1968, he led the team in rushing with 813 yds and touchdowns (7).

In 1970, he was traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a third-round draft pick; he played one season, although he was listed for the 1971 season.

Crenshaw later worked selling life insurance, for Monsanto, and as a financial planner. He died on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84.