NFL career
Wehrli's outstanding attribute was his speed. Originally expected to be taken in the third round, he ran a 4.5 40 yard dash and vaulted into the first round[1].
Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach has called Wehrli the best cornerback he played against, and claims that the term "shutdown corner" originated as a description of Wehrli. [2]
In his career, Wehrli had 40 career interceptions for 309 yards and recovered 19 fumbles. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. When voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame he just the second Missouri player to be elected, joining former tight end Kellen Winslow, who was enshrined in 1995. Wehrli was inducted into the Cardinals Ring of Honor on October 14, 2007.
An All-Rookie choice in 1969, Wehrli was voted All-Pro by the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) in 1970 and was a consensus All-NFC selection including being voted to the Pro Bowl. (The NEA poll was the "players' All-Pro team" since it was the only All-Pro team at the time that was voted on by the players.) In 1971, Wehrli was 2nd Team All-Pro by the NEA and again was a consensus All-NFC choice and was selected to his second Pro Bowl. In 1972 Wehrli was moved to safely by the Cardinals coaching staff where he played along side Hall of Famer Larry Wilson. He returned to right cornerback in 1973.
In 1974 Wehrli was again All-Pro by NEA and 2nd team All-Pro by the AP and PFRA. He made his third Pro Bowl and was a consensus All-NFC selection. The following year, 1975 though 1977, he was a consensus All-pro and consensus All-NFC player and a Pro Bowler. In 1978 Wehrli's only post-season honor was being honorable mention All-NFC by UPI as his Cardinal team struggled under new coach Bud Wilkinson. In 1979 Wehrli had a fine season and was a consensus All-NFC pick and made his seventh Pro Bowl.
In his 14 seasons, Wehrli played in 193 games. In addition to his starting defensive back duties, he was the holder on the place-kicks. In that role he scored a touchdown in 1982 on a fake field goal.