Henry Ellard facts for kids

Henry Austin Ellard, born on July 21, 1961, is a former American football player. He was a talented wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, and New England Patriots. Besides football, Ellard was also an amazing triple jump athlete. He even tried out for the 1992 Summer Olympics!

Early Life and College Career

Henry Ellard grew up in Fresno, California. He went to Hoover High School. There, he became a state champion in the triple jump in 1979.

College Football Success

Ellard stayed in Fresno for college, attending Fresno State University from 1979 to 1982. He set an NCAA record in his final season. He gained 1,510 receiving yards, which was incredible! At Fresno State, he is still one of the top players. He ranks high in touchdown catches, receiving yards, and total receptions.

• In 1979, he had 9 catches for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• In 1980, he caught 28 passes for 493 yards and 3 touchdowns.
• In 1981, he made 39 catches for 808 yards and 4 touchdowns.
• In 1982, he had 61 catches for 1,510 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Ellard still holds an NCAA record for yards per catch in a season. In 1982, he averaged 24.4 yards per catch. His quarterback at the time was Jeff Tedford, who later became a coach.

Track and Field Achievements

Beyond football, Ellard was also an All-American in track and field. He competed in the triple jump for Fresno State. In 1982, he set a school record in the triple jump. He jumped 55 feet and 0.5 inches, a record that still stands today!

Professional Football Career

Henry Ellard had a long and successful career in the NFL. He was known for his speed and ability to make big plays.

Playing for the Los Angeles Rams (1983–1993)

The Los Angeles Rams picked Ellard in the second round of the 1983 NFL draft. In his first year, he mainly returned kicks and punts. He returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown in a key game. This helped the Rams make it to the playoffs.

In 1984, Ellard became a starter. He caught 34 passes for 622 yards and six touchdowns. He also returned two punts for touchdowns. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl as a punt returner that year. He was also named an All-Pro player.

Ellard continued to improve each year. In 1985, he had his first game with over 100 receiving yards. He helped the Rams reach the playoffs again. In 1988, Ellard had an amazing season. He led the entire league with 1,414 receiving yards. He also caught 86 passes and scored 10 touchdowns. He was named an All-Pro again and went to the Pro Bowl.

In 1989, he continued his success, leading the league in yards per game. He had his best game ever against the Indianapolis Colts, catching 12 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He and Flipper Anderson became a powerful duo, both gaining over 1,000 receiving yards. Ellard helped the Rams reach the NFC Championship game that year.

He continued to play well for the Rams, even as the team struggled. He had four straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. When he left the Rams in 1993, he held many team records. These included career receptions, receiving yards, and 100-yard games.

Finishing His Career (1994–1998)

In 1994, Ellard joined the Washington Redskins. He immediately became their top receiver. He caught 74 passes for 1,397 yards and six touchdowns. He had another 1,000-yard season in 1995.

In 1996, he had his seventh season with over 1,000 receiving yards. He led the league in yards per reception, averaging 19.5 yards per catch. He played his last full season with the Redskins in 1997. In 1998, he played briefly for the New England Patriots before retiring.

Henry Ellard's Legacy

Henry Ellard retired after the 1998 season. He finished his career with 814 catches for 13,777 receiving yards. He also scored 65 touchdowns. At the time, he was third all-time in receiving yards. He also gained many yards returning punts and kicks.

Despite his impressive numbers, it took a long time for him to be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Many people believe he should be in the Hall of Fame. He was a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame in 2023.

Ellard was also a special player in the video game world. In the classic Nintendo Entertainment System game Tecmo Super Bowl, he was one of only two players with the highest reception rating. The other player was the legendary Jerry Rice.

NFL Career Statistics

Personal Life

Henry Ellard is married to Lillian Ellard. They have three daughters: Christiana, Alexandria, and Adriana. Henry also has two older children, Henry Jr. and Whitney.

Coaching Career

After retiring from playing, Henry Ellard became a football coach. He started as an assistant coach at a high school. Then he coached at his old college, Fresno State, in 2000.

NFL Coaching Roles

Ellard later became a wide receivers coach in the NFL. He coached for the St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2008. He then coached for the New York Jets from 2009 to 2011. From 2012 to 2014, he was the wide receivers coach for the New Orleans Saints. During his time as a coach, he worked with famous players like Torry Holt, Issac Bruce, and Drew Brees.

High School Head Coach

From 2016 to 2021, Ellard was the head football coach at San Antonio Christian School.

Head Coaching Record