BILL PICKETT - C/O 1953

If there were a Top 11 Braves team of all-time for both sides of the ball, Bill would be one of the only ones selected for both teams. He was a dominant center, leading the Braves' excellent rushing attacks of the early 1950s. On the defensive side of the ball, he shattered game, season, and career defensive records. 

Before Bill was a record-setter, he was a freshman earning his share on the 1949 team. It was a special season as Bill got to block for his older brother, Dick (a fullback on the team). While Bill did not start, he contributed heavily in his novice year. As a sophomore, Bill earned his first opportunity to start. This was during the 1950 season. Articles made it sound as if Bill was the leader of the offensive line that year, the Braves' only 9-win season in school history.

In Bill's junior season, he began to truly shine on the defensive side of the football. He played inside linebacker, along with his talented counterpart John Waters. The two were one of the best linebacker duos in all of the state of Kansas as they combined for over 500 tackles over their final two seasons. These two were the most dynamic linebacker duo in Braves' history.

Bill stood out as a man amongst boys. He was a 225 lb. force that had size uncommon for that era. Pickett also had the athleticism of a skill player. As a sideline-to-sideline linebacker he compiled 147 tackles his senior season (even with him missing a game due to injury). One game for Bill stood out though as maybe the best defensive performance by a Brave ever in a single game. Against league opponent Hope, he had 3 INTs, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns. He also had 17 total tackles in the game.