| No. 54, 52 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Center |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1934-02-02)February 2, 1934 Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Died: | November 8, 2016(2016-11-08) (aged 82) Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Lincoln (Des Moines, Iowa) |
| College: | Drake (1952) Iowa (1957–1959) |
| NFL draft: | 1958: 14th round, 160th pick |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
William Gaius Lapham (February 2, 1934 – November 8, 2016) was an American professionalfootballcenter who played two seasons in theNational Football League (NFL) with thePhiladelphia Eagles andMinnesota Vikings. He playedcollege football atDrake University and theUniversity of Iowa.
William Gaius Lapham was born on February 2, 1934, inDes Moines, Iowa.[1] He attendedAbraham Lincoln High School in Des Moines.[1]
Lapham was a member of theDrake Bulldogs ofDrake University in 1952.[1] After a stint in theUnited States Air Force, Lapham was a three-yearletterman for theIowa Hawkeyes of theUniversity of Iowa from 1957 to 1959.[1] He was named second-teamAll-Big Ten by both theAssociated Press andUnited Press International in 1959.[2][3]
Lapham was selected by thePhiladelphia Eagles in the 14th round, with the 160th overall pick, of the1958 NFL draft.[1] He was also selected by theHouston Oilers in the "first selections" portion of the1960 American Football League draft.[1] He signed with the Eagles on January 14, 1960.[4] He played in all 12 games, starting four, for the Eagles during the1960 NFL season.[5] Lapham also played in the1960 NFL Championship Game victory over theGreen Bay Packers.[6]
Lapham was selected by theMinnesota Vikings in the1961 NFL expansion draft.[4] He appeared in all 14 games, starting 13 at center, for theVikings during their inaugural season in 1961.[5] The Vikings finished the year with a 3–11 record.[7] Lapham became a free agent after the season.[4]
He signed with theDenver Broncos of the AFL in 1962, but was later released on September 4, 1962.[4] He signed with the Broncos again in 1963 but was released later.[4]
Lapham died on November 8, 2016, at the age of 82 in Des Moines.[8]