Willie Gault

Willie James Gault (born September 5, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders.

Considered one of the fastest NFL players of all-time, Gault was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX.

Gault played college football at the University of Tennessee from 1979 to 1982.

He had a 48-yard touchdown catch for the North team in the 1979 GACA North/South Game (a preseason all-star game).

During his senior year, he caught 33 passes and scored 7 touchdowns, averaging 19 yards per catch.

He was named All-State following his junior and senior seasons.

Gault played football at Tennessee during an era when the school was acquiring its reputation as "Wide Receiver U."

Three of Gault's teammates— Anthony Hancock, Clyde Duncan, and Tim McGee— would be first-round NFL Draft picks, and three others— Mike Miller, Lenny Taylor and Darryal Wilson— would be drafted in later rounds.

During his four years at UT, Gault caught 89 passes for 1,482 yards and 10 touchdowns, returned 78 kickoffs for 1,854 yards and four touchdowns, and returned 78 punts for 659 yards and a touchdown.

During the regular season of his freshman year in 1979, Gault caught three passes for 95 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown in Tennessee's 51-18 win over Utah.

He had a team-leading four catches for 22 yards in the Vols' 27-22 loss to Purdue in the 1979 Bluebonnet Bowl.

He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

Gault's breakout year came during the 1980 season.

Though he caught a relatively modest 14 passes for 240 yards while splitting time with Miller at receiver, he returned 24 kickoffs for 662 yards, and tied a national single-season record by returning three kickoffs for touchdowns.

He returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown to provide Tennessee's lone score in the team's 30-6 loss to Pittsburgh.

He then returned kickoffs for touchdowns in back-to-back games at the end of the season: a 92-yarder against Kentucky and a 98-yarder against Vanderbilt.

Calling the latter play for the Vol Network, long-time broadcaster John Ward shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, Willie Gault has run all the way to the State Capitol."

Gault added a 48-yard touchdown catch in the Kentucky win.

During his junior year in 1981, Gault caught 22 passes for 479 yards and four touchdowns while continuing to split time with Miller.

He also added to his reputation as a dangerous return man, with 28 kickoff returns for 606 yards, and 31 punt returns for 381 yards and a touchdown.

In Tennessee's 28-20 win over Ole Miss, Gault had a 54-yard kickoff return, a 66-yard punt return for a touchdown, and a 49-yard punt return.

He returned a punt 66 yards for an apparent touchdown against Auburn, but it was called back on a penalty.

He caught a 75-yard touchdown pass in the Vols' loss to Alabama, and registered a 49-yard touchdown catch against Memphis State.

He had 217 receiving yards against Vanderbilt, including an 80-yard touchdown catch and a 72-yard reception.

In Tennessee's 28-21 win over Wisconsin in the 1981 Garden State Bowl, Gault returned a kickoff 87 yards for the Vols' first touchdown of the game.

Gault entered his senior year a Preseason All-American.

As part of an explosive receiving corps that included Mike Miller, Lenny Taylor and Darryal Wilson, Gault registered a team-leading 50 catches for 668 yards and four touchdowns.

He also registered 23 kickoff returns for 549 yards and a touchdown, and 20 punt returns for 145 yards.

He led the Vols in all-purpose yardage as a sophomore, junior and senior, and was named to the All-American team in 1982.

He still holds numerous school kickoff return records.

Gault married his high school sweetheart, writer/author/actress Dainnese Mathis Gault in 1983.

They were married from 1983 to 2002 and have two children.

Gault is currently pursuing a career as an actor.

He also remains active in masters athletics, setting world masters records in the 100 metres and 200 metres dashes for the 45–49, the 50–54, and the 55–59 age groups.

Gault was born and raised in Griffin, Georgia.

He was named for his mother, Willie Mae.

Both of his parents worked in a textile mill.

He later recalled that his classmates considered him a "teacher's pet."

Gault played football and ran track for Griffin High School.

He had two receptions for 19 yards in Griffin's 7-7 tie against Valdosta in the AAAA State Championship Game during his junior year.