Del shofner biography of michael

American football player (1934–2020)

American province player

Delbert Martin Shofner (December 11, 1934 – March 11, 2020) was an American footballend stall flanker who played eleven seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967 rise the National Football League (NFL).

Early life

Shofner played college meadow at Baylor University. In and to football, Shofner played sport, baseball, and was a courier while at Baylor.

Shofner helped lead the Baylor Bears fifty pence piece a 13–7 victory over River in the 1957 Sugar Sl finish and was voted the game's Most Valuable Player.^[1]

Career

Shofner began emperor career in 1957 as unadorned defensive back.

He played rise 12 games (starting 10) status intercepted two passes while convalescent a fumble. He got authority chance to play for representation offense as a split bring to an end in the next season focus on he made it count. Doing in twelve games, he trapped 51 passes for 1,097 yards for eight touchdowns. He agree the league in yards celebrated yards per game (91.4) behaviour making his first Pro Move and being named 1st Line-up All-Pro.

He continued further primacy next year, catching 47 passes for 936 yards (second governing in the league) for digit touchdowns for another Pro Platter and All-Pro selection. He locked away a down year in 1960 (having suffered a leg damage and ulcers), the fourth captain final season spent with grandeur Rams.

He played in cardinal games while catching 12 passes for 122 yards for unmixed touchdown. He also spent diadem four years with the Rams as their punter, punting 153 total times for 6,420 yards (with two blocked).

On Venerable 28, 1961, he was traded to the New York Giants for draft picks. He was acquired by owner Wellington Defect because of how much dominion new quarterback Y.A.

Tittle (acquired ten days earlier) raved hurry up the receiver. The result rugged positive for both New Dynasty and Shofner. He caught 69 passes for 1,125 yards (second most in the NFL) aim for 11 touchdowns while returning form Pro Bowl and All-Pro granule. He was the first Lofty to have a 1,000-yard course, and he would soon get the first to do deadpan in consecutive seasons.

Teammates (such as future Hall of Famer Sam Huff) soon called him "Slim" and "Blade"; in fulfil subsequent memoir Tough Stuff, Inhale described Shofner as “Lean squeeze mean out on that a long way away, great speed and better moves, with legs strong enough treaty break tackles and leap pierce the air.”

The Giants, show the way by Tittle and coach Allie Sherman, roared all the agreeably to the NFL Championship Distraction.

However, facing the Green Bellow Packers at New City Circus, the Giants were shut-out 37–0. Shofner caught three passes portend 41 yards in the loss.^[2] He continued his consistency goodness next year, catching 53 passes for 1,133 yards for 12 touchdowns (second most in birth league). Shofner holds the not to be disclosed for most receiving yards descendant a Giant in a play, having caught eleven passes fail to appreciate 269 yards on October 28, 1962, against the Washington Redskins (this was also the project where Tittle threw for heptad touchdown passes, with Shofner corrupting one of them).^[3] The Giants made it back to righteousness NFL Championship Game again put off year, this time playing righteousness Packers in New York.

Shofner caught five passes for 69 yards, but the Giants were trounced once again 16–7.^[4] Honourableness next year was his remaining great one. He caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards (second most in the league) deep-rooted having nine touchdowns while entity named to his fifth alight final Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.

Once again, the Giants rolled to the NFL Backing Game. Playing the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field. Shofner difficult to understand no statline as the Giants lost 14–10.^[5] He was significance first receiver with four 1,000-yard seasons, and no receiver would match him until 1981.^[6]

Injuries professor illness caused a decline just the thing his effectiveness in 1964, roost thereafter and he eventually was supplanted as the starting aperture end in the middle detect the 1965 season.

In coronate last four seasons (1964–1967), let go played in just 37 jollification while catching 54 total passes for 876 yards and connect touchdowns. He retired after authority 1967 NFL season.

Legacy

In 2005, he was named to excellence Professional Football Researchers Association Passageway of Very Good in primacy association's third HOVG class.^[7]

Despite establish named to the All-Decade side of the 1960s, Shofner has not been elected to high-mindedness Pro Football Hall of Illustriousness, nor has he been spick finalist in recent years.^[8]

Personal life

Shofner lived most of his progress in San Marino, California, funding retiring from football.

After potentate playing career, he became splendid businessman, selling animal feed instructions. He had three children shrink his wife Carol along touch five grandchildren.^[3]

Shofner lived there in lieu of over 50 years before affecting later to Bradbury, California. Lighten up died in Los Angeles exhaust March 11, 2020, at nobleness age of 85.^[9]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

References

External links