Saints Familiar With Shepherd University

A 12th-round pick by the Houston Oilers in the 1979 NFL Draft, Wilson is the only player ever drafted out of Shepherd. He'd never play a regular season down for the Oilers, instead landing with the New Orleans Saints. 

Wilson appeared in 14 games for the Saints as a rookie in 1979, mostly on special teams. Over the next eight years, he'd carve out an important complementary role for the New Orleans offense. 

Wilson was a blocking fullback, secondary rusher, and solid receiver through his Saints career. He was also a reliable kickoff returner when asked. In his eight-year tenure with New Orleans he had 2,462 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, also adding 179 receptions for 1,517 yards and another 14 scores. As a returner, he'd average 23 yards on 68 kicks.

Wilson's best year was in 1983. He was second on the team with 787 rushing yards and led the Saints with nine rushing touchdowns. During the strike-shortened campaign of 1982, Wilson was second on the team with 413 rushing yards and second with 25 receptions. He'd have a career-best 38 receptions in 1985, a season where he also led the team with 645 rushing yards. 

After joining the Minnesota Vikings in the offseason of 1986, where he played seven games, Wilson re-joined the Saints for the final five contests. It would be his last year with the team and his last full season in the NFL.

Wayne Wilson earned a Super Bowl ring with the 1987-88 Washington Redskins. He played only two games with the team as a replacement player during a four week player strike. The Redskins would go on to win Super Bowl XXII and also awarded championship rings to their replacement players.

At the time of his retirement, Wilson ranked third in franchise history in total touchdowns, fourth in rushing yards, and second in receptions for a running back.