Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1990
- Class:
- 1968
“Roger the Dodger” made his mark out of King City, Missouri, as a standout defensive back and kick returner during three seasons at MU. He was discovered by legendary assistant coach Clay Cooper who offered him Mizzou’s last scholarship in 1965. A letterman in 1966-67-68, Wehrli set eight MU records including most interceptions in a season (seven in 1968) and most in a game (three vs. Oklahoma State in 1968) and led the nation in punt returns in 1968 (40 returns for a 12-yard average). Wehrli was all-Big Eight Conference in 1967 and ‘68 and a consensus all-American in ’68 when he was also the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year. He had a critical interception in Mizzou’s 35-10 Gator Bowl victory over Alabama. He played in four all-star games following his senior year – the Senior Bowl (member of the 50-year anniversary all-Senior Bowl team), Hula Bowl, Coaches All-America Game and College All-Star Game. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. His Mizzou number 23 is retired. He was a first-round draft choice of the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals and established himself as one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history in a career that stretched from 1969-82. He was inducted into the Cardinals’ Ring of Honor in 2007, the same year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach famously said, “The term ‘Shutdown Corner’ originated with Roger Wehrli. There wasn’t a better cornerback I played against. He was a great, great defensive back. You had to be aware of him all the time.” In his NFL career, Wehrli had 40 interceptions for 309 yards and recovered 19 fumbles. He was named to the NFL’s all-rookie team in 1969 and the next year was all-Pro. He made seven Pro Bowls and was named all-Pro six times. He was a member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 1970s.
