Former Washington Huskies Co-Captain and NFL Defensive Back Bill Cahill Dies at 75

BELLEVUE, Washington — Former University of Washington Huskies co-captain and NFL defensive back William Blackburn "Bill" Cahill passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at the age of 75. Born in Bellevue on May 5, 1951, Cahill graduated from Bellevue High School before committing to play college football for the Washington Huskies during the Sonny Sixkiller era. A standout defensive back and punt returner, Cahill earned second-team All-Pac-8 honors in 1970 and served as a team co-captain during his senior season in 1972. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills, appearing in 19 games across two seasons before returning to the Pacific Northwest to build a career in production management at Boeing.

Official Status and Verification Standards

Sports media outlets and university representatives confirmed that Cahill died following a long illness. In accordance with standard verification guidelines and family privacy considerations, specific clinical details, medical histories, or an official underlying cause of death have not been publicly disclosed by healthcare representatives or family members.

Community Tributes and Funeral Status

News of Cahill's passing has drawn expressions of sympathy across the Pacific Northwest, including tributes from former Husky teammates, University of Washington athletics, and the Bellevue community. Colleagues and peers reflected on his transition from a local standout athlete to a collegiate team leader and corporate manager at Boeing. Official notices regarding formal visitation hours, public memorial services, or family-designated charitable organizations will be announced as plans are finalized by his family.