Tim Anderson (defensive back)

For the defensive tackle who also played for Ohio State, see Tim Anderson (defensive tackle).
Tim Anderson
No. 26
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born: (1949-08-01) August 1, 1949 (age 75)
Colliers, West Virginia, U.S.
Career information
College:Ohio State
NFL draft:1971 / round: 1 / pick: 23
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:15
Stats at Pro Football Reference

William Tim Anderson (born August 1, 1949) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for the Toronto Argonauts, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.[1]

After being drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 1971 NFL draft, Anderson was so unhappy with the 49ers' contract offer that he considered quitting football and signed with the Argonauts instead.[2] Anderson said that "The negotiations with the 49ers go off on the wrong foot and got progressively worse."[2] He believed that he was the first NFL first round draft pick to sign with the CFL instead (but he was not as that was Johnny Bright who was selected 5th in 1952, and many other players followed), and was followed by Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers in 1973 in taking that route.[2] He earned all-CFL honors while with the Argonauts in 1973.[2][3] He signed with the 49ers before the 1975 season and said that the contract was "for a lot better money than they offered [in 1971], but it's not a no-cut contract."[2]

After serving as a backup safety for most of the 1975 season, Anderson and Mike Holmes were traded to the Bills in exchange for 2 draft picks before the 1976 season.[4] After playing the first two games for the Bills in September 1976, he was placed on injured reserve with a bruised thigh and the Bills then waived him in October.[5][6] The Detroit Lions signed Anderson before the 1977 season but waived him during preseason.[7][8]

  1. ^ "History.HTML".
  2. ^ a b c d e "He kept his dream: Canada to the 49ers". Ithaca Journal. September 1, 1975. p. 13. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "William Anderson". Stats Crew. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  4. ^ "Niners deal with Bills". Concord Transcript. September 7, 1976. p. 6. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Bills waive Vic Washington". Valley Morning Star. September 25, 1976. p. B4. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Pascarelli, Peter (October 8, 1976). "Bills start Edwards". Democrat and Chronicle. p. 3D. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Lions sign Tim Anderson". Johnson City Press. June 24, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Lions get Mike-Mayer". Herald-Palladium. September 2, 1977. p. 17. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via newspapers.com.