Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1977
- Class:
- 1970
Walker Gillette was the only consensus football All-America to play at Richmond. He was a wide receiver for UR from 1967 to 1969 and led the Spiders to the Tangerine Bowl championship in 1968. He had great speed being a hurdler on the track team. He had great hands, all the moves, was a great receiver, and could run after he caught the ball. While coaching at William & Mary, legendary coach Marv Levy once said that, "Walker Gillette had the speed, size and great game breaking potential in a season. We faced many great spread receivers, no one hurt us more than Walker did. He is a threat long and short. He's one of the nation's finest pass receiving threats." He was labeled "The Blade and the Spoiler" by his teammates. He is the son of Jim Gillette, former University of Virginia and Cleveland Rams pro star.
He held Richmond records for touchdown receptions in a game, season and career and was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Chargers in the 1970 NFL draft. The 6'5" 200 pounder from Capron, Va.was born March 16, 1947. He was a standout and captain of the UR track team as a high hurdler, 440 - yard dash man, and member of the mile relay team. Gillette caught 20 passes for 242 yards to upset Ohio University in the 1968 Tangerine Bowl (49-42) and was named game MVP. During his career Gillette caught 158 passes for 2,649 yards and scored 22 touchdowns.
Voted Consensus First Team All-American in 1969 by Associated Press, Time Magazine, Sporting News, Look Magazine and Newspaper Enterprise Association. In 1970 he played in the College All-Star Game and 1969, the North-South Game. Gillette was named First Team All-Southern Conference and First Team All-State 1967, 1968, 1969 and Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Year in 1969.
