The late great Bill Stanfill was one of the best players of the 1960s while competing for the Cairo Syrupmakers. He was the 1964 Associated Press Class 2A Lineman of the Year and also flashed his athleticism and ball skills when he caught a game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass in Cairo’s 7-0 victory over Dublin for the 1964 region title. As a 6-foot-5 center, he was named the MVP of the Class 2A basketball tournament in 1965 while leading Cairo to a state title on the hardwood. After leading Cairo to back-to-back region titles, Stanfill went on to play college football at the University of Georgia where he won two SEC titles and the 1968 Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman. He received All-American honors and was voted SEC Lineman of the Year that same season. Stanfill was selected No. 11 overall in the 1969 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins where he played his entire eight-year career. During this time, he won two Super Bowls, earned five Pro Bowl selections and a first-team All-Pro selection. In 1973, Stanfill led the NFL in sacks with 18.5. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Stanfill passed away in 2016 at the age of 69.
