Bill Callahan (defensive back)

{{Short description|American football player (born 1964)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL player

| name = Bill Callahan

| number = 25

| position = Defensive back

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|4|11}}

| birth_place = Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 200

| high_school = Valley

| college = Pittsburgh

| draftyear = 1986

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 94

| pastteams =

• Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|1986}})*
• Seattle Seahawks (1987)*
• Buffalo Bills ({{NFL Year|1987}})

| pfr = CallBi20

}}

William Timothy Callahan (born April 11, 1964) is an American former professional football defensive back who played for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Pittsburgh Panthers while at University of Pittsburgh.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CallBi20.htm |title=Bill Callahan Stats |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com |access-date=April 11, 2023}}

Callahan switched from a running back to his best known position as a defensive back in 1983, after a suggestion from his coach Joe Naunchik, although many did not initially understand his choice to change position. Callahan became the starting favourite in that position after his predecessor Ray Weatherspoon was dropped following an altercation.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press |title=Callahan: Safety Valve For Panthers |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |page=146 |date=August 21, 1983}}

In 1986, he was favourably compared to Tom Flynn and was described by The Pittsburgh Press as being "one of the brightest young safeties in the NFL". He was recorded as running the {{convert|40|yard}}-dash in 4.48 seconds, making him among the fastest safeties playing at that time. His time was comparable to then top-rated safety Craig Swoope, who did the same run in 4.57 seconds.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122965489/the-pittsburgh-press/ |title=Callahan is timing things just right for NFL draft |newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press |page=151 |date=April 27, 1986}}