Willie Davis, the iconic former NFL defensive end, amassed significant wealth during his lifetime, both from his outstanding football career and his subsequent business ventures. As of the time of his passing in 2020, Willie Davis’s estimated net worth was approximately $10 million. This net worth was primarily accumulated through his successful career in the NFL, endorsements, and his savvy post-retirement business investments.
Davis played a crucial role in the Green Bay Packers’ dominance during the 1960s, contributing to their five NFL championships, including victories in Super Bowls I and II. After retiring from football, he demonstrated impressive entrepreneurial skills, building a portfolio that included ownership in multiple businesses and service on numerous corporate boards. His involvement with companies like Schlitz Brewing and NBC cemented his legacy as not just a sports figure but also a prominent business leader.
Willie Davis Family and Preliminary Life
Wyatt Davis is a football player. He played in the NFL. He is the son of his father, David Davis, and his mother, Nodie Davis. On July 24, 1934, Willie Davis cried for the first time in the world. The full name of this man is Willie D. Davis. Davis finished his school career at Booker T. Washington High School in Texarkana, Arkansas.
| Full Name | Willie Edward Davis |
| Date of Birth | July 24, 1934 |
| Place of Birth | Lisbon, Louisiana, USA |
| Date of Death | April 15, 2020 |
| Age at Death | 85 years |
| Occupation | Professional Football Player, Businessman |
| Position | Defensive End |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lbs (111 kg) |
| College | Grambling State University |
| NFL Teams | Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns |
| NFL Career | 1958–1969 |
| Super Bowl Wins | 2 (Super Bowl I, II) |
| Pro Bowl Selections | 5 times |
| NFL Championships | 5 (1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967) |
| Hall of Fame Induction | 1981 |
| Post-Football Career | Businessman, Founder of All-Pro Broadcasting Inc. |
| Business Ventures | Owned multiple radio stations |
| Philanthropy | Supported education and youth programs |
| Net Worth at Death | Estimated $2 million |
| Notable Achievements | Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, 1960s All-Decade Team, Packers’ All-Time Team |
| Spouse | Carol Davis |
| Children | 2 |
| Death: | April 15, 2020 |
He spent his college life at Grambling State University (GSU) in Grambling, Louisiana. At the time of his college career, he represented the Grambling State Tigers. As an offensive tackle and defensive end, he played in college.
NFL Career and Contract History
Willie Davis entered the arena of professional football in 1956, and he left the arena in 1969. In his professional life, he played for the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers.
In the 1956 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns selected him 181st overall in the 15th round. He stayed with this team until 1959. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 1960 as part of a trade and played for them until 1969.
In the sphere of the NFL, he took part in 162 games. The career statistics of this man are: fumbles recovered: 22, Games played: 162, AV 125, Sk 99.5.
He missed the golden part of his career with the Green Bay Packers. During his time with this team, he was instrumental in the team’s victories in Super Bowls I and II. He was the golden member of the team.
After his retirement from his playing career, he dedicated his career to the media profession. In his post-retirement life, he worked for NBC as a color commentator. He got the honor of being named the Walter Camp Man of the Year in 1986. He also made his name in the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and among the 100 Greatest Football Players. In his media life, he was president of All-Pro Broadcasting, operator of radio stations KHTI, KATY-FM, WLDB-FM, WLUM-FM, and WZTI since 1976.
How Much Is Willie Davis’s Net Worth in 2025?
The net worth of this renowned football player is $10 million. He became a millionaire on the fortune of a successful football career in the field of football. The majority of his assets are derived from his career earnings. The rest of the wealth is from the earnings of his post-retirement life activities.
Gaining of the NFL Career
Willie Davis stamped his success on every step of his illustrious career. Notably, he was lauded as a member of the Super Bowl champions of I and II. He was a celebrated part of the NFL champions in 1961, 1962, and five times from 1965 to 1967. He was a first-team All-Pro in 1962 and from 1964 to 1967 four times. In 1963, he made his position a second-team all-pro. He won the honor of the Pro Bowl from 1963 to 1967 five times. He earned his place on the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team. This man became a part of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. He became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Willie Davis’s Wife and Children
In his personal life, Willie Davis is a married man. In his life, he sat for the marriage three times. For the first time, he tied the knot with Ann McCullom in the 1960s. Their conjugal life was blessed with two children. They are a son, Duane Davis, who became a movie and television actor, and a daughter, Lori Davis, who is a lawyer known for her work on marijuana legislation. Later, they were separated, and he sat for the marriage with Andrea Erickson in the mid-1990s. After the breaking of the relationship with this wife, he chose Carol Dyrek Davis as a sharer of his personal bed for the rest of his life. He continued sharing his life with this woman till 2020. In his family, he also had grandchildren, David Davis, Wyatt Davis, Harley Davis, and Hayden Davis.
Height and Weight
Willie Davis is tall, up to 6 ft. 3 inches and his weight is 110 kg. In the field of football, his positions were the defensive end and defensive tackle. He was comfortable in both positions. On-demand of the play and on-demand of the suggestion, he chose the positions for the game. Through playing in these positions, he has proved that he was best suited for these positions. Being in these positions, he achieved lots of success and helped his teams win lots of matches.
From the first to the last of his professional career, he wore several jerseys for several teams. His worn jersey numbers are 77 and 87. His fans continue to wear those numbers on jerseys as a symbol of their affection. They sat in the gallery wearing those numbers of jerseys, showing their love for him and encouraging him. These are still memorable to them.
Post-Football Career and Business Ventures
After retiring from a successful NFL career, Willie Davis transitioned seamlessly into the business world, leveraging his sports fame and leadership qualities. He founded All Pro Broadcasting, Inc., which owned several radio stations in California and Wisconsin. Davis’s business acumen wasn’t limited to broadcasting; he served on the boards of major corporations like Dow Chemical, Sara Lee, and MGM Resorts, showcasing his versatility and strategic thinking. Beyond his corporate roles, Davis was a passionate advocate for education and entrepreneurship, frequently engaging in public speaking to inspire young professionals and athletes. His post-football career demonstrated his commitment to success beyond the field, cementing his legacy as a versatile and influential figure in both sports and business.
How did Willie Davis die?
Willie Davis is no longer in the world. He was hospitalized for kidney failure as his physical condition deteriorated. He took the last inhale of his life on April 15, 2020, in Santa Monica, California. At the time of his death, he was aged 85.
Quotes
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.”
“Success is not a destination, but a journey of continuous growth and improvement.”
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
“True champions are those who get up when they can’t.”
“In both sports and business, the key to winning is preparation and perseverance.”
Conclusion
Willie Davis was not only an NFL legend but also an exceptional business leader and philanthropist who left an indelible mark both on and off the field. His successful football career, coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to community causes, shows a life well-lived with passion and purpose. Davis is a true testament to what is possible when talent, discipline, and a desire to give back come together. His contributions to football and the business world continue to inspire many, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
FAQs
- What was Willie Davis’s net worth at the time of his passing?Willie Davis’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million at the time of his passing, accumulated from his successful career in the NFL, investments, and business ventures.
- What did Willie Davis do after retiring from football?After retiring from football, Willie Davis became a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He was involved in various ventures, including becoming the owner of several radio stations and being active on several corporate boards.
- What teams did Willie Davis play for in the NFL?Willie Davis played for the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers during his NFL career. He is best known for his time with the Packers, where he won multiple championships.
- Did Willie Davis receive any honors for hi
