Del Shofner facts for kids
Shofner in 1965
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| No. 29, 85 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | December 11, 1934 Center, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died: | March 11, 2020 (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 186 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Baylor | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1957 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Delbert Martin Shofner (born December 11, 1934 – died March 11, 2020) was an amazing American football player. He was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for eleven seasons. Del played for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants from 1957 to 1967.
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Early Life and College Football
Del Shofner grew up loving sports. He played college football at Baylor University. But football wasn't his only talent! While at Baylor, Del also played basketball and baseball. He was even a fast runner, competing as a sprinter.
In 1957, Del helped his college team, the Baylor Bears, win a big game. They beat Tennessee 13-7 in the 1957 Sugar Bowl. Del played so well that he was named the Most Valuable Player of the game!
NFL Career Highlights
Del Shofner started his NFL journey in 1957 with the Los Angeles Rams. He began as a defensive back, which means he helped stop the other team from scoring. In his first year, he caught two passes from the other team and recovered a fumble.
Becoming a Star Receiver
The next year, Del got a chance to play offense as a "split end" (a type of wide receiver). He made the most of it! He caught 51 passes for 1,097 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He led the entire league in receiving yards that year. This amazing performance earned him his first trip to the Pro Bowl and he was named a 1st Team All-Pro. This means he was one of the best players in the league!
He continued to play great in 1959, catching 47 passes for 936 yards and seven touchdowns. He was again chosen for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team. Del also spent his four years with the Rams as their punter, kicking the ball away to the other team.
Joining the New York Giants
In 1961, Del Shofner was traded to the New York Giants. The Giants' owner, Wellington Mara, really wanted Del. Their new quarterback, Y.A. Tittle, had told him how great Del was. This trade was a huge success for both Del and the Giants!
Del immediately played well for New York. He caught 69 passes for 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was back in Pro Bowl and All-Pro form. Del was the first Giants player to gain over 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. His teammates, like future Hall of Famer Sam Huff, even gave him nicknames like "Slim" and "Blade." They said he was fast, had great moves, and strong legs.
Championship Games and Records
With Del and Y.A. Tittle leading the way, the Giants became a top team. They made it to the 1961 NFL Championship Game. However, they lost to the Green Bay Packers.
Del kept up his amazing play in 1962. He caught 53 passes for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns. He set a Giants record by catching eleven passes for 269 yards in one game! The Giants made it to the 1962 NFL Championship Game again, but lost to the Packers once more.
In 1963, Del had another fantastic year. He caught 64 passes for 1,181 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned his fifth and final Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections. The Giants reached the 1963 NFL Championship Game for the third year in a row. Sadly, they lost a close game to the Chicago Bears. Del was the first receiver in NFL history to have four seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards!
Later Career and Retirement
After 1963, injuries and illness started to affect Del's performance. He played fewer games in his last four seasons (1964-1967). He retired after the 1967 NFL season, leaving behind an impressive career.
Legacy and Life After Football
Del Shofner was a truly special player. In 2005, he was recognized by the Professional Football Researchers Association. He was named to their Hall of Very Good.
Even though he was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 1960s, Del has not yet been chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After retiring from football, Del Shofner became a businessman. He lived most of his life in San Marino, California. He had three children with his wife, Carol, and five grandchildren. Del passed away in Los Angeles on March 11, 2020, at the age of 85.
