Printable Biography of Bill Bates

---

After the 1993 season, Bill Bates was selected by his teammates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award for successfully overcoming his injury in 1992. In 1995, Bill was named, by the fans and his teammates, the "Unsung Hero" award, which is given to one player from each NFL team. He has also been the recipient of the Dallas All Sports Association Courage Award. Bill has been a perennial selection for the All-Madden Team. Along with being on the Madden Summerall "ALL DALLAS COWBOY TEAM", Bill has subsequently, in 1999, been inducted into the Madden Hall of Fame. Starting with six years playing for legendary coach Tom Landry, Bill was an inspirational team leader and he exemplified the qualities of perseverance and dedication every time he stepped onto the field.

Prior to the 1990 season, Jimmy Johnson tabbed Bill as the special teams' captain. Also, as Barry Switzer took over he made sure Bill's role would remain the same and held the position for Coach Switzer's five-year tenor. Bill, along with Ed "Too Tall" Jones shares the NFL record of playing 15 years for the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. His last minute interception at Chicago's Soldier Field preserved Dallas' 17-13 win in the team's triumphant return to the playoffs after a six year absence, and will surely go down as one of the big plays in the re-building of the Dallas Cowboys.

Bates was born and raised in Knoxville, where he was all state in football and basketball. Bill and his wife Denise live in Dallas along with their five children, Graham, Hunter, Brianna, Tanner, and Dillion. Bill was named "Best Dad in Dallas" in June of 1994. He and Denise are very involved with civic organizations. For the past several years, they have served as the chairpersons for the March of Dimes "Blue Jeans for Babies" campaign for healthier babies. Bill has chaired the Bank One "Spirit of Christmas campaign which provides gifts for abused and needy children. Bill was the spokesperson for the Children's Advocacy Center golf tournament in 1993, and has headed the Wednesday's Child golf tournament for several years benefiting homeless children. He also has donated his time and energy to various other charitable organizations including United Way, Children's Medical Center, Scottish Rite Hospital, FCA, Campus Crusade, and Young Life. In 1997, Bill Bates has started his own organization to benefit children. The Bill Bates Foundation for Kids was created to raise money for worthwhile organizations that help children.