Born Aug. 16, 1935, in Texarkana, Texas, Bill had an outstanding high school career in Corpus Christi, Texas, at W.B. Ray High School. Bill then attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and became a Consensus All-American.

From college, Glass went on to play professional football, beginning in the Canadian Football League for one year, before moving to the Detroit Lions where he played for four years. It was, however, his seven-year career with the Cleveland Browns that Glass is best known.

One year before the NFL created the Superbowl, Glass played on the Browns team that won the NFL championship in 1964, and then went on to win the Division Championship in 1965, 1967, and 1968. During Glass’ entire football career, the four-time All-Pro never missed a practice or a game before a minor injury sidelined him for his last four games. Basically he played 10 years in school and 12 years in the pros without injury.

Bill Glass spent the off-season of his professional football career attending Southwestern Theological Seminary, where, in 1963, he received a degree in theology. He made several appearances on television with his friend Bill Graham, giving his testimony. As the end of his pro-football career was drawing near, Graham urged Glass to consider taking on a new career as a full-time evangelist and prompted Glass to start his own ministry. In 1969, Champions for Life, then called Bill Glass Evangelistic Association, began.

In 1985, Glass was inducted into the “College Football Hall of Fame,” and a year later in to the “Texas Sports Hall of Fame.” In 2003, he was the recipient of the Baylor Alumni Association’s “Distinguished Alumni Award.”

Terry Pluto, famous sports author, joined Bill in co--authoring his latest work, The Power of a Father’s Blessing, showing readers the most basic family building block is a parent’s ability to give a blessing and how doing this will change the lives of their children. Glass has written 11 books including Don’t Blame the Game, Expect to Win, and How to Win When the Roof Caves In. Many of the books Glass has authored have been reprinted several times.

Today Bill Glass is a highly sought-after speaker and motivator, with a packed schedule including speaking engagements around the nation and overseas.

Glass and his wife, Mavis (the former Mavis Irene Knapp), make their home near Dallas, Texas. They have three grown children—Billy, Bobby, and Mindy, along with eight grandchildren.