Dennis Law (American football)

Last updated

Dennis Law
No. 83
Position:
Personal information
Born: (1955-04-04) April 4, 1955 (age 68)
Commerce, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:179 lb (81 kg)
Career information
High school:Jefferson (Jefferson, Georgia)
College: East Tennessee State
NFL Draft: 1978  / Round: 4 / Pick: 99
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:5
Receiving yards:81
Receiving touchdowns:0
Return yards:136
Return touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

Raymond Dennis Law (born April 4, 1955) is a former American football wide receiver and kick returner who played for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at East Tennessee State University. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Early career

Law attended Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Georgia. He competed in football as a wide receiver and in track and field. [4] As a senior in 1972, he was ranked in the top 10 of all Class A wide receivers in the region, [5] and was voted to the Georgia All-State Class A team. [6]

Law enrolled at East Tennessee State University as an accounting major, [7] receiving an athletic scholarship in 1973 to join the football team as a freshman. [8] In 1974, Law had redshirted to extend his stay at East Tennessee. [9] For his first two years with East Tennessee, he was a reserve for the wide receiver position but gained the starting role in 1975, where he caught 18 passes in 11 games for 428 yards and a touchdown. [10] Law improved his performance in 1976 with 22 catches in 10 games for 460 yards and a touchdown. [10] Coming into the 1977 season, Law took over the punt and kick-off return position when team injuries caused him to fill in in a game against Murray State. [10] Law became the team's best wide receiver, with 33 catches in 11 games for 488 yards and four touchdowns. Law made 18 returns for 510 yards and two touchdowns, landing him a spot on the All-Ohio Valley team with East Tennessee. [10] [11]

Professional career

Law was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round with the 99th pick overall in the 1978 NFL Draft. [12]

Law made his NFL debut on September 3, 1978, against the Kansas City Chiefs. Law received 1 pass for 18 yards and returned 4 punts for 29 yards. [13] Law was primarily used as a kick and punt returner for the 1978 season, returning 25 kicks and 2 punts for 136 yards, and receiving 5 passes for 81 yards as a wide receiver. [1] Law is most known for a mistake he made against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 1978, by breaking an "unwritten commandment" of running into the end zone to receive a punt rather than staying on the 10-yard line, where he was tackled by Lou Piccone for a safety, making the game's score 5–0 Bills. [14]

Law was traded on August 24, 1979, to the Washington Redskins for an undisclosed draft pick, [15] but was put on the retired list two days later, declaring the trade void. [16] Law was waived off the Bengals and then signed by the Redskins on November 6, 1979, as a replacement for Buddy Hardeman who had suffered a broken jaw. [17] Law was later waived the following week on the 13th to make room for the signing of Bobby Hammond. [18]

On April 18, 1980, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Law along with wide receivers Warren Anderson and Randy Simmrin. [19] On August 6, 1980, the Buccaneers waived Law along with tight end Steve Stephens and defensive back Larry Flowers. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antwaan Randle El</span> American football player and coach (born 1979)

Antwaan Randle El is an American football coach and former player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He attended Indiana University where he played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers, and also played basketball and baseball. For a time, he was also a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network for interconference games that the Indiana football team plays.

Carl McNally Pickens is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. J. Houshmandzadeh</span> American football player (born 1977)

Touraj Houshmandzadeh Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He previously played college football at Oregon State. Houshmandzadeh played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2009, the Baltimore Ravens in 2010 and the Oakland Raiders in 2011. In 2016, he joined Long Beach Poly High School as a wide receivers coach and was elevated to Varsity Offensive Coordinator in 2018. Houshmandzadeh also works as a football analyst for FS1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Gault</span> American football player (born 1960)

Willie James Gault is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the fastest NFL players of all-time, Gault was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team that boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

Lemar R. Parrish is an American former professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1977), Washington Redskins (1978–1982), and Buffalo Bills (1982). He played college football for the Lincoln Blue Tigers.

Skyler Levon Green is a former American football wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints. He also was a member of the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League (AFL). He played college football at Louisiana State University.

Timothy Dwayne Hatchett McGee is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Redskins from 1986 to 1994. Before his NFL career, he played college football at the University of Tennessee, where he set school career records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions, and was named an All American his senior year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeSean Jackson</span> American football player (born 1986)

DeSean William Jackson is an American former football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American in 2006 and 2007. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and also played for the Washington Redskins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams. Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dezmon Briscoe</span> American football player (born 1989)

Dezmon Jerrod Briscoe is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Kansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dane Sanzenbacher</span> American football player (born 1988)

Dane Sanzenbacher is a former American football wide receiver. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Ohio State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Sanu</span> American football player (born 1989)

Mohamed Sanu Sr. is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Rutgers and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Sanu has also been a member of the Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and the Miami Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samaje Perine</span> American football player (born 1995)

Samaje Perine is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oklahoma, and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharoh Cooper</span> American football player (born 1995)

Pharoh Cooper is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, and Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalin Marshall</span> American football player (born 1995)

Jalin Delane Marshall is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is a free agent. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2016 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State. He has also played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (CFL) and Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mack Hollins</span> American football player (born 1993)

Mack Hollins is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Malone</span> American football player (born 1996)

Joshua Khiry Malone is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL) and DC Defenders of the XFL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Pascal</span> American football player (born 1994)

Zach Pascal is an American football wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Old Dominion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Powell</span> American football player (born 1995)

Brandon Powell is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida. He has been a member of the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and the Los Angeles Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trenton Irwin</span> American football player (born 1995)

Trenton Irwin is an American football wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He appeared on the 2005 Bravo series "Sports Kids Moms & Dads" with his sister Alyssa and father Craig. He played college football at Stanford.

J. J. Koski is an American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Cal Poly.

References

  1. 1 2 "Dennis Law stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Dennis Law, WR". Nfl.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ Buck, Ray (May 12, 1978). "Bengals' Rookies Measure Up, And Down". The Cincinnati Enquirer . p. 18. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. ↑ "Top Track Performers". The Atlanta Constitution . April 18, 1972. p. 8-C. Retrieved December 7, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. ↑ "Dragons Fall to East Hall Play Jefferson Friday". Pickens County Progress. October 5, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved December 8, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. ↑ Donaldson, Randy (December 10, 1972). "Dorsey Takes 'A' Honor With College Park's Billings, Mitchell's Woodham". The Atlanta Constitution . p. 16-D. Retrieved December 7, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. ↑ "DENNIS LAW". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. October 12, 1975. p. 25. Retrieved December 7, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. ↑ "Bucs Sign 12 Football Players, Including Four From Big Nine". Kingsport Times-News . February 18, 1973. p. 12-C. Retrieved December 7, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. ↑ Cathey, John (September 4, 1974). "Good defense, solid running backs on scene at ETSU". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. p. 19. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. 1 2 3 4 "ETSU's Law Was One Of Only Two OVC Draftees". Kingsport Times . May 9, 1978. p. 18. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  11. ↑ "Dennis Law makes All-Ohio Valley". Johnson City Press-Chronicle. Associated Press. November 25, 1977. p. 12. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  12. ↑ "1978 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  13. ↑ "Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals - September 3rd, 1978". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  14. ↑ Felser, Larry (October 23, 1978). "Return Breaks Law". Buffalo Evening News . Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  15. ↑ "Redskins trade Bengals for receiver Dennis Law". The Daily News Leader . Associated Press. August 24, 1979. p. 12. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  16. ↑ "Dennis Law quits football". Dayton Daily News . August 26, 1979. p. 30. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  17. ↑ "Redskins Pick Up Former Bengal Dennis Law". Springfield News-Sun . Associated Press. November 7, 1979. p. 21. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  18. ↑ "Redskins sign Bobby Hammond". Daily Journal . UPI. November 14, 1979. p. 8. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  19. ↑ "Football". Quad-City Times . April 19, 1980. p. 16. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  20. ↑ "Csonka Waived; No Takers Yet". The Cincinnati Enquirer. August 7, 1980. p. 44. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.