Billy Joe Tolliver

Before there was a Brett Favre there was a Billy Joe Tolliver. You couldn’t dream up the former Texas Tech and NFL QB. He was right out of a Dan Jenkins novel with everything from the name to the bright red air and the cannon arm. Except he was better. He was real.

Out of small town Boyd in West Texas Tolliver was a great quote waiting to happen and a better story waiting to be told. He was part Joe Namath and part Jerry Clower all rolled into one of the best QB’s to ever play at Texas Tech.

Tolliver burst onto the scene in Jerry Moore’s last-stand season of 1985. Before Tolliver was done he had re-written the Tech record book. It would take Mike Leach and his prolific passing game before anyone would even approach what Tolliver did passing under Spike Dykes and Dick Winder’s coaching.

Tolliver Is Always About More Than Just Football

As you listen to this interview with Tolliver, done by David Thetford and Gary Ashby–on their show SportsTalk w/Thetford & Ashby (Saturday’s 10am-noon)–prior to Tech’s win over Oklahoma (Saturday, November 21, 2009) on SportsRadio 1340 The Fan, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud at stories from years gone by and stories about what he’s up to right now.

He may or may not be the greatest QB in Tech history. What isn’t debatable is that he is the greatest story-teller in Tech football history. Enjoy.

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A Brief History of Billy Joe Tolliver

Much thanks to David Thetford, who assembled the following.

Boyd High School (senior year – ’83-’84)

Football Notables

State Champions (Record 15-0-1)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – Player of the Year

Basketball Notables

Averaged 15 points per game
Averaged 17 rebounds per game

Baseball Notables

Pitcher
14 no-hitters

Texas Tech University

1984 Notables

Redshirt

1985 Notables

Starter at Quarterback
11-9-0 record
422 yards passing and 5 TDs
63-7 win over TCU

1988 Notables (senior season)

Overcame 17-point fourth quarter deficit to lead team to 33-32 victory over TCU

Awards

All SWC Quarterback – 2 times
SWC Sportsmanship Award
Texas Tech University Hall of Honor – 2002

College Career Statistics

Passing: 6,756 yards
Pass Attempts: 1,008
Completions: 498
Touchdowns: 38
Single-game Passing: 446 (1988 – vs. Oklahoma)

Records

Held 16 Texas Tech Football school records
Still holds season record for Yards/Completion (15.1)

National Football League

Drafted (1989): 2nd round – San Diego Chargers – #52 overall

11 years in the NFL

San Diego Chargers: 1989-1990 (two seasons)
Atlanta Falcons: 1991-1993 (three seasons)
Houston Oilers: 1994 (one season)
Kansas City Chiefs: 1997 (one season)
New Orleans Saints: 1998-2000 (three seasons)
Green Bay Packers: 2001 (off-season/practice squad)

One year in CFL

Shreveport Pirates: 1995 (one season)

Notable Career Statistics

Completions: 891
Attempts: 1707
Completion Percentage: 52.2%
Yards/Completion: 6.3
Touchdowns: 59
Interceptions: 64
Passer Rating: 67.7
Rushing Attempts: 99
Rushing Yards: 320
Fumbles: 29 (lost – 24)

Miscellanea

1999: Injured MCL against Jacksonville – expected to be out for the season, but returned after two weeks. Reportedly treated himself with WD-40
After five interceptions against Baylor said, “Even Betty Crocker burns a cake every now and then.”
Two-time winner – American Century Celebrity Golf Champtionship
Won the $75,000 Isuzu Celebrity Golf Challenge (1996)