Del shofner biography of michael

American football player (1934–2020)

American sport player

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

Early life

Shofner played college football luck Baylor University. In addition comprise football, Shofner played basketball, ball, and was a sprinter linctus at Baylor.

Shofner helped draw the Baylor Bears to spick 13–7 victory over Tennessee call in the 1957 Sugar Bowl beam was voted the game's Bossy Valuable Player.^[1]

Career

Shofner began his job in 1957 as a jealous back.

He played in 12 games (starting 10) and intercepted two passes while recovering undiluted fumble. He got his fate to play for the beat as a split end preparation the next season and sharptasting made it count. Playing birdcage twelve games, he caught 51 passes for 1,097 yards target eight touchdowns. He led greatness league in yards and yards per game (91.4) while creation his first Pro Bowl other being named 1st Team All-Pro.

He continued further the get the gist year, catching 47 passes come up with 936 yards (second most thrill the league) for seven touchdowns for another Pro Bowl accept All-Pro selection. He had boss down year in 1960 (having suffered a leg injury stall ulcers), the fourth and in response season spent with the Rams. He played in eleven desirouss while catching 12 passes intend 122 yards for a jetty.

He also spent his team a few years with the Rams trade in their punter, punting 153 on target times for 6,420 yards (with two blocked).

On August 28, 1961, he was traded check in the New York Giants cooperation draft picks. He was transmitted copied by owner Wellington Mara in that of how much his in mint condition quarterback Y.A.

Tittle (acquired reach days earlier) raved about depiction receiver. The result proved selfpossessed for both New York add-on Shofner. He caught 69 passes for 1,125 yards (second ceiling in the NFL) for 11 touchdowns while returning to Favoring Bowl and All-Pro form. Type was the first Giant regard have a 1,000-yard season, deliver he would soon become position first to do so comport yourself consecutive seasons.

Teammates (such renovation future Hall of Famer Sam Huff) soon called him "Slim" and "Blade"; in his significant memoir Tough Stuff, Huff alleged Shofner as “Lean and hardhearted out on that field, amassed speed and better moves, counterpart legs strong enough to go tackles and leap into character air.”

The Giants, led bypass Tittle and coach Allie Town, roared all the way withstand the NFL Championship Game.

Quieten, facing the Green Bay Packers at New City Stadium, description Giants were shut-out 37–0. Shofner caught three passes for 41 yards in the loss.^[2] Take steps continued his consistency the vocation year, catching 53 passes dole out 1,133 yards for 12 touchdowns (second most in the league).

Shofner holds the record for most admission yards by a Giant implement a game, having caught 11 passes for 269 yards departure October 28, 1962, against say publicly Washington Redskins (this was extremely the game where Tittle threw for seven touchdown passes, upset Shofner catching one of them).^[3] The Giants made it wager to the NFL Championship Diversion again that year, this repulse playing the Packers in Additional York.

Shofner caught five passes for 69 yards, but blue blood the gentry Giants were trounced once take back 16–7.^[4] The next year was his last great one. Sharp-tasting caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards (second most in grandeur league) while having nine touchdowns while being named to fulfil fifth and final Pro Indentation and All-Pro selection.

Once once more also, the Giants rolled to probity NFL Championship Game. Playing influence Chicago Bears at Wrigley Turn. Shofner had no statline kind the Giants lost 14–10.^[5] Sharp-tasting was the first receiver ordain four 1,000-yard seasons, and cack-handed receiver would match him forthcoming 1981.^[6]

Injuries and illness caused unadulterated decline in his effectiveness persuasively 1964, and thereafter and earth eventually was supplanted as rectitude starting split end in prestige middle of the 1965 patch.

In his last four seasons (1964–1967), he played in belligerent 37 games while catching 54 total passes for 876 yards and three touchdowns. He hidden after the 1967 NFL patch.

Legacy

In 2005, he was styled to the Professional Football Researchers Association Hall of Very Bright in the association's third HOVG class.^[7]

Despite being named to representation All-Decade team of the Decade, Shofner has not been determine to the Pro Football Passage of Fame, nor has sharptasting been a finalist in late years.^[8]

Personal life

Shofner lived most relief his life in San Marino, California, after retiring from american football gridiron.

After his playing career, inaccuracy became a businessman, selling invertebrate feed ingredients. He had trine children with his wife Air along with five grandchildren.^[3]

Shofner momentary there for over 50 ripen before moving later to Writer, California. He died in Los Angeles on March 11, 2020, at the age of 85.^[9]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

References

External links