Virgil Carter

Professional Football

High School:  Folsom
College:  Brigham Young University

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​​* NFL Career:  8 Years (Chicago, Cincinnati, San Diego)

​​* NFL Leader in Pass Completion Percentage  (1971)

​​* World Football League leading passer (1974)

​​* Western Athletic Conference Champion (1965)

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Virgil Carter was one of the first dynamic quarterbacks from Bill Walsh's hailed West Coast Offense, who lit up opposing defenses at all levels.  Virgil was the first NFL QB who came from Folsom High School.  He earned a scholarship to BYU and became the first great Cougars QB, leading his team to its first ever conference Championship in 1965.  While at BYU, he set six national records, 19 conference, and 24 school records and was an academic All-American. 

 

Virgil was drafted in 1968 by the Chicago Bears but had most of his success with the Cincinnati Bengals who he played for from 1970-1973.  He led the NFL in pass completion percentage in 1971.  He played eight seasons in the NFL and one year in the upstart World Football League.  He was their leading passer in 1974 finishing the season with 2,620 yards with 27 touchdown passes for the Chicago Fire.  He will always be known as one of the first local players in our area to become a quality quarterback in the NFL. 

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