Nashville’s Bill Wade found success as a quarterback on every possible level. At Montgomery Bell Academy, he was Most Valuable Player in the Interscholastic League in 1946 and All-Nashville as a senior in 1947. Staying close to home, Wade entered Vanderbilt University in 1948, where he had one of the greatest football careers in the school’s history. In 1951 alone he threw for 1,609 yards, ranking him third in the nation and leading to his election as second team All-American. He was also SEC Player of the Year, as voted on by the coaches, an honor that truly humbled Wade. “Even if I’d been picked on the All-America first team,” he said, “it wouldn’t mean as much to me as being elected most valuable in the conference by the coaches.” As brilliant a college career as Wade had, he is probably best remembered by Vanderbilt fans for his accomplishments in the NFL, where he played fourteen seasons for the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears. He led the Bears to the NFL Championship in 1963, scoring both of Chicago’s touchdowns in a 14-10 win over the New York Giants at Wrigley Field. After his football playing days ended, Wade had a successful career in Nashville at Third National Bank before retiring. He was also a founder and prime mover in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and president of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, 1968-1970. Bill Wade is a Nashvillian through and through, giving of his time and energy to numerous civic and charitable organizations in the city, most notably his sixteen years as director and active player in the Music City Invitational Tennis Tournament, benefiting Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
