Derrick Gaffney facts for kids
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| Position: | Wide receiver | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | May 24, 1955 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
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| Died: | March 2025 (aged 69) | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 181 lb (82 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Raines (Jacksonville) | ||||||
| College: | Florida | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1978 / Round: 8 / Pick: 197 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
Derrick Tyrone Gaffney (born May 24, 1955) was an American professional football player. He was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL). He played for eight seasons during the 1970s and 1980s. Before joining the NFL, Derrick played college football for the Florida Gators.
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Derrick Gaffney's Early Life
Derrick Gaffney was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1955. He went to William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville. There, he played high school football for the Raines Vikings team.
College Football Career
Derrick Gaffney received a sports scholarship to attend the University of Florida. He played for the Gators from 1974 to 1977. His coach was Doug Dickey.
One amazing moment was in 1977. Gaffney caught a ninety-nine-yard touchdown pass from Cris Collinsworth. This happened in a game where the Gators beat the Rice Owls 48–3. This play tied an NCAA record at the time. It is still the longest touchdown pass in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history. While at Florida, Gaffney was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Professional Football Career
The New York Jets picked Derrick Gaffney in the 1978 NFL draft. He was the 197th player chosen overall. He played for the Jets from 1978 to 1984, and then again in 1987.
His best season was his first year, 1978. He caught 38 passes for 691 yards. He also scored three touchdowns that year. Gaffney started 68 of the 100 games he played for the Jets. He finished his NFL career with 156 catches. He gained 2,613 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns.
Gaffney's Football Family
Derrick Gaffney came from a family of football players. His older brother, Don Gaffney, was a quarterback for the Florida Gators. Don was the first African-American starting quarterback for the Gators. He played from 1973 to 1975.
Derrick is also the father of Jabar Gaffney. Jabar was also an NFL wide receiver. His nephew, Lito Sheppard, played as an NFL cornerback. Both Jabar Gaffney and Lito Sheppard played for the Florida Gators in the early 2000s.
See also
- Florida Gators football, 1970–79
- List of Alpha Phi Alpha brothers
- List of Florida Gators in the NFL draft
- List of New York Jets players
