Roy Jefferson

Last updated

Roy Jefferson
Jefferson-Roy-1970.jpg
No. 87, 80
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1943-11-09) November 9, 1943 (age 80)
Texarkana, Arkansas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Compton (Compton, California)
College: Utah
NFL draft: 1965  / round: 2 / pick: 18
AFL draft: 1965  / round:  2  / pick: 14
  (San Diego Chargers)
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:451
Receiving yards:7,539
Receiving touchdowns:52
Stats at Pro Football Reference  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Roy Lee Jefferson (born November 9, 1943) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Utah Utes. During 162 regular season games in the NFL, he had 451 receptions for 7,539 yards and 52 touchdowns.

Contents

Early life

Roy Jefferson in 1964. Roy Jefferson 1964.jpeg
Roy Jefferson in 1964.

Born in Texarkana, Arkansas, Jefferson grew up in southern California and graduated from Compton High School in 1961. [1] He played college football at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, [2] where he was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year in his senior season in 1964 under head coach Ray Nagel.

Jefferson played on both sides of the ball and also was the placekicker; and led the Utes to 32–6 victory in the Liberty Bowl over favored West Virginia to finish with a 9–2 record. [3] The game was played indoors on natural grass at the convention center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and featured shortened end zones. [4] [5] [6]

Professional career

Selected in the second round of the 1965 NFL draft, 18th overall, Jefferson spent his first five NFL seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1965–1969). In 1968, Jefferson led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,074. His 58 receptions and 11 touchdowns were both 2nd highest in the NFL that season. He was named 1st Team All-Pro by Associated Press (AP), the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA), New York Daily News and UPI in 1969. Jefferson finished that season with 67 receptions for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns and became the first Steelers receiver to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Despite being the Steelers' best offensive player, conflicts with head coach Chuck Noll as the team's player representative resulted in a trade to the Baltimore Colts for Willie Richardson and a 1971 fourth-round selection (104th overall– Dwight White) in an exchange of receivers who had fallen out of favor with their old teams on August 20, 1970. [7] [8] [9] With the Colts for only one season, Jefferson helped them reach and win Super Bowl V. [10] He finished the 1970 regular season with 44 receptions for 749 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in the Colts 17–0 divisional playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals and had three receptions for 52 yards in the Colts 16–13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

A contract dispute with the Colts ended with Jefferson being dealt along with ninth-round draft picks in 1973 (218th overall– Rick Galbos) and 1974 (213th overall–traded to Los Angeles Rams for Joe Sweet) to the Washington Redskins for Cotton Speyrer and a 1973 first-rounder (25th overall–traded to San Diego Chargers for Marty Domres) on July 31, 1971. [11] [12] [13] He spent six seasons with the Redskins under head coach George Allen, helping them reach Super Bowl VII in 1972, and retired after the 1976 season. [14]

Jefferson was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers Legends team in 2007, as one of the best 24 Steelers players prior to 1970.

After football

After his retirement from football, Jefferson has remained in the Washington, D.C. area. He had a leading role in the 1976 blaxploitation feature film Brotherhood of Death . [15] In the ensuing years, his endeavors have included owning a chain of barbecue restaurants with the last closing in 1992 and owning a catering business. [16] As of 2006, he was working in the real estate business. He reported that he and his wife had three children and four grandchildren. [17]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Super Bowl champion
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
1965 PIT 1041328722.1501
1966 PIT 14143277224.1844
1967 PIT 13112945915.8584
1968 PIT 1413581,07418.56211
1969 PIT 1414671,07916.1639
1970 BAL 14144474917.0557
1971 WAS 14144770114.9704
1972 WAS 14143555015.7453
1973 WAS 14144159514.5361
1974 WAS 14134365415.2434
1975 WAS 1351525517.0362
1976 WAS 14142736413.5272
Career 1621444517,53916.78452

Personal life

Jefferson is the cousin of tight end Marv Fleming; they were teammates in high school and college, but were on opposing sides during Super Bowl VII. [1] Jefferson left Utah for the NFL in 1965, but returned to school in the off-seasons and completed his bachelor's degree in June 1970. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Wayne</span> American football player and coach (born 1978)

Reginald Wayne is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, and was selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2001 NFL draft with the 30th overall pick. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Wayne was a member of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI winning team over the Chicago Bears. He ranks second in Colts' franchise history to Marvin Harrison in major receiving categories: receptions, receiving yards, targets, and receiving touchdowns. On December 14, 2014, Wayne played in both his 209th game and his 142nd win as a member of the Colts, breaking the franchise records set by Peyton Manning.

<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 currently serves as the wide receivers coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2001. He also played basketball and baseball for the Hoosiers. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft. Playing with the Steelers for four seasons as a wide receiver and return specialist, he was active in all 64 regular season games with 23 starts. He was also instrumental in a number of trick plays, including throwing a touchdown pass as a wide receiver for the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Branch</span> American football player (1948–2019)

Clifford Branch Jr. was an American professional football wide receiver who played for the Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders during his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. He won three NFL championships with the Raiders in Super Bowl XI, XV, and XVIII. He was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft after playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Galloway</span> American football player (born 1971)

Joseph Scott Galloway is an American former professional football player who is an analyst with ESPN. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Galloway was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the eighth overall pick of the 1995 NFL draft, and also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ike Hilliard</span> American football player and coach (born 1976)

Isaac Jason Hilliard is an American football coach and former wide receiver who is the wide receivers coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played primarily with the New York Giants.

Robert Andrew Long is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) who played in the 1960s and 1970s and earned two Super Bowl rings. He attended suburban Pittsburgh's Washington Township High School, and Wichita State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Taylor</span> American football player and coach (1941–2022)

Charles Robert Taylor was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, he was selected by Washington in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft. With Taylor, the Redskins made the playoffs five times and reached the Super Bowl once (VII), after the 1972 season. A six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Gregory Paul Landry was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and United States Football League (USFL) from 1968 to 1984. He played college football for the UMass Minutemen from 1965 to 1967 and was selected in the first round of the 1968 NFL draft with the 11th overall pick. Landry played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts and Chicago Bears. He became an assistant coach after his playing career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Preston Pearson</span> American football player (born 1945)

Preston James Pearson is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college basketball for the Illinois Fighting Illini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norm Snead</span> American football player (1939–2024)

Norman Bailey Snead was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and was the second overall selection of the 1961 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Bielski</span> American football player and coach (1932–2023)

Richard Adam Bielski was an American professional football player and coach. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Colts. Bielski played college football at the University of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Orr</span> American football player (1935–2020)

James Edward "Jimmy" Orr Jr. was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, running from 1958 to 1970.

Joe Dan Washington Jr is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marv Fleming</span> American football player (born 1942)

Marvin Lawrence Fleming is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), seven with the Green Bay Packers and five with the Miami Dolphins. He was a member of five NFL championship teams.

William T. Brooks Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Brooks was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 1986 NFL draft. He played in the NFL from 1986 to 1996 for the Colts, Buffalo Bills, and Washington Redskins. Brooks played college football for Boston University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Reed (American football)</span> American football player (born 1987)

Brandon David Reed is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football at Utah and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft. With the Ravens he won Super Bowl XLVII, and he also played a season with the Indianapolis Colts.

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

Nelson Efamehule Agholor is a Nigerian-American professional football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at USC and was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. During his five seasons with the Eagles, he won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII. Agholor also played one season with the Las Vegas Raiders and two with the New England Patriots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Washington (wide receiver)</span> American football player (born 1996)

James Edward Washington Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award and earning unanimous All-American honors in 2017. Washington was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zack Moss</span> American football player (born 1997)

Zaccheus Malik Moss is an American professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Utah and was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.

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

Vanchi LaShawn Jefferson Jr. is an American professional football wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ole Miss and Florida and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

References

  1. 1 2 "Jefferson wants to whip cousin Marv". Miami News. Associated Press. January 10, 1973. p. 3C. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Idaho must hold Utah's star flank". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. October 2, 1964. p. 18.
  3. ↑ Miller, Hack (December 19, 1964). "Utes scalp W.Va., 32-6 in Liberty Bowl". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. p. 1A.
  4. ↑ Miller, Hack (December 19, 1964). "Indoor bowl game: novel". Deseret News. Salt Lake City. p. A5.
  5. ↑ Nissenson, Herschel (December 20, 1964). "Utah rolls, 32-6". Ocala Star-Banner. Florida. Associated Press. p. 26.
  6. ↑ Green, Russ (December 20, 1964). "Utah bombs West Virginia in Liberty Bowl". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. UPI. p. 61.
  7. ↑ "Colts acquire Roy Jefferson". Spartanburg Herald. South Carolina. Associated Press. August 21, 1970. p. 14.
  8. ↑ 1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 28 (Rounds 1–7) & 29 (Rounds 8–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved October 31, 2020
  9. ↑ steelers.com Archived June 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Murray, Jim (January 17, 1971). "Colts stole Roy Jefferson". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. (Los Angeles Times). p. 5.
  11. ↑ "Colts Trade Jefferson For Redskin Receiver," The Associated Press (AP), Saturday, July 31, 1971. Retrieved December 2, 2021
  12. ↑ 1973 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 30 (Rounds 1–7) & 31 (Rounds 8–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved December 2, 2021
  13. ↑ 1974 NFL Draft Pick Transactions, January 29 (Rounds 1–5) & 30 (Rounds 6–17) – Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved December 2, 2021
  14. ↑ "Redskins release Roy Jefferson". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Florida. UPI. March 18, 1977. p. 3F.
  15. ↑ "Roy Jefferson Reflects On 'Brotherhood of Death'". Washington Redskins. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Where Are They Now? Jefferson Catering To A New Kind of Crowd". Pittsburgh Sports Report. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  17. ↑ Wexell, Jim. Pittsburgh Steelers: Men of Steel (Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing L.L.C., 2006) ISBN   978-1-58261-996-5, pp. 69-73
  18. ↑ "Roy Jefferson shows the way". Milwaukee Sentinel. June 24, 1970. p. 1, part 2.
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.