Born in Topeka, Kansas, Kilmer was raised in southern California and played baseball, football, and basketball at Citrus Union High School in Azusa, scoring more than 1,500 points in the latter sport while earning All-American honors.
After graduation from high school in 1957, Kilmer competed in football for one year at Citrus Junior College, scoring six touchdowns and throwing for 15 more.
[2] He capped off his college career with an outstanding senior season in 1960: he threw for over 1,000 yards, ran for over 800, scored eight touchdowns and served as the team's punter.
After the conclusion of a UCLA career that saw him finish among the top five in school history for passing and rushing yards, as well as total offense, Kilmer played in the 1961 College All-Star Game, where he earned Most Valuable Player honors.
The following year Kilmer was primarily used as a running back but his season came to an early end following a December 5 auto accident in which he fell asleep in his 1957 Chevrolet convertible and drove off the Bayshore Freeway into the San Francisco Bay.
Kilmer lost his starting job in 1967 after the first three games (all losses), and was replaced by former Baltimore Colt quarterback Gary Cuozzo.
On November 8, 1970, in a home game versus the Detroit Lions, Kilmer led what proved to be a game-winning drive, although he could only bring the Saints as far as their own 44 yard line.
With just one play left in the game, and his team down by a 17–16 margin, coach Roberts opted against asking Kilmer to go for a "Hail Mary" pass.
In a 2016 TV interview, recorded during a celebration of the Saints' 50th anniversary, Kilmer denied lingering rumors that he had been Dempsey's holder.
Fans in Washington tended to be loyal to one quarterback or the other, sporting buttons at games that read "I like Billy" or "I like Sonny", with Kilmer's wobbly passes being a slight favorite over Jurgensen's tight spiral.
The next season, Kilmer led the 1972 team to an NFC-best 11–3 record, while also leading the NFL in touchdown passes (19) and passer rating (84.8).
Miami managed the strength of their rushing attack and selective passing from Bob Griese to two touchdowns while Washington had nothing to show for most of the game.
Only a special-teams blunder saved the first shutout in Super Bowl history, as a blocked field goal-turned-fumble with two minutes remaining in the game by Garo Yepremian was recovered by Mike Bass of Washington for a touchdown.
However, Washington could not finish the comeback, as Kilmer was sacked by Vern Den Herder as time expired with the team far from the end zone.
It was during the 1970 season, his last in New Orleans, that rumors stirred that Kilmer missed curfew before a game against the Denver Broncos and that his Saints teammates had nicknamed him "Ole Whiskey."
That reputation had been noted by Saints owner John Mecom Jr., who mentioned Kilmer's many late-hour visits to New Orleans bars while playing for the team.
[citation needed] Kilmer's most memorable night on the town came early Monday morning December 6, 1971 after beating the Giants 23–7.
Apparently, Kilmer and an unidentified female friend attempted to pay a $4 tab (about $30 in 2023) with a $100 bill (about $743 in 2023) and an argument ensued with their waitress.
In the next few days, Kilmer won the hearts of fans by leading the Redskins to a 38–24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football which clinched a playoff berth, and also by telling the waitress she could keep the $100 as a tip.