Athletes & Executives – Our game is business

         Bill Bates

A member of the 1992, 1993, and 1995 Super Bowl Champion teams, Bill is a favorite of Dallas Cowboys fans. He was named the winner of the Bob Lilly Award four years in a row, from 1990 – 1994. This award is selected by a vote of the fans and annually goes to the Cowboy player who displays leadership and character on and off the field. The 1993 season had seen him return from a disabling knee injury that prematurely ended his 1992 season. After the 1993 season Bill was selected by his teammates to receive the Ed Block Courage Award for successfully overcoming his injury. In 1995, Bill was named by the fans and his teammates the “Unsung Hero” award, which is given to one player from each NFL team. He has also been the recipient of the Dallas All Sports  Courage Award.

Bill was selected to the All-Madden Team for twelve years in a row and made the roster of the Madden-Summerall “ALL DALLAS COWBOY TEAM” and the Madden Hall of Fame. John Madden one said, “Every game starts with a kickoff and with Bill Bates on the field every game starts with a bang!”  After 15 years as an NFL player and 6 years as a coach in the League (5 for the Cowboys and 1 with the Jaguars), Bill is enjoying life out of the NFL. He coached his triplet boy’s football team in Jacksonville at Nease High School winning the 2005 Florida High School 4A State Championship (Heisman Trophy Winner Tim Tebow) and runner up in 2006 and 2007. He coached Tanner the past 2 years at Ponte Vedra High. Also, he was the head coach for Team Texas in the College All Star Game, Texas vs the Nation in 2010 and 2011. The Texas team defeated the Nation team, 36-17 in 2010. 2011 they won again with a dramatic goal line stand on the last play of the game.  He is involved in a number of businesses which include Austin Custom Homes, Patio Scapes, Temperature Management Systems (air cooled football shoulder pads), and Planet High School. The Bates family resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida where they are raising and coaching their family. He recently released his new book (click below for info).