Bill Nelsen

William Keith Nelsen (January 29, 1941 – April 11, 2019) was an American professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League. He played college football for the USC Trojans and went on to a professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. He was known for his leadership and his willingness to play with pain, enduring a series of knee injuries over the course of his career.

After one season of community college ball at Cerritos College in California, Nelsen moved on to USC, where he was a key player during his first two seasons, leading the squad in total offense in both 1960 and 1961. In 1962, he split time at the position with Pete Beathard, helping the team capture the national championship.

Nelsen was drafted in the 10th round of the 1963 NFL draft by the Steelers but saw limited action during his first two seasons. In 1965, new head coach Mike Nixon gave him the starting job. The struggling team finished 2–12, offering him little help, and Nelsen threw for eight touchdowns against 17 interceptions. He went on to play for the Cleveland Browns as well. After his playing days, he served as an assistant coach with four NFL teams.